Rolls-Royce 40/50 Alpine Eagle

Rolls Royce Alpine Eagle 1913

Key facts

  • Year

    1914

  • Country

    Great Britain

  • Capacity

    7,428cc

  • Cylinders

    6

  • Performance

    82mph

  • Price new

    £985 (chassis only)

  • Owner

    National Motor Museum Trust

  • Manufacturer

    Rolls-Royce Ltd

One of the most desirable Rolls-Royces, the Alpine Eagle was essentially a sporting version of the Silver Ghost. This 1914 car was re-bodied in 1950 and has been fitted with an electric starter motor. In more recent times it has been used in several major events including the 1988 Australian Bi-Centennial Rally in which it was driven from Perth to Canberra by Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu and Prince Michael of Kent.

Rolls-Royce entered a team of three Silver Ghosts in the 1913 Austrian Alpine Trials. They met with great success, finishing 1st and 3rd. As a result of this, a new sporting version of the Silver Ghost was developed, with increased ground clearance, larger radiator and a four-speed gearbox instead of the previous three. This was marketed as the Continental model but was popularly known as the ‘Alpine Eagle’.

Altogether the car is one of which its owner may be well proud

The Autocar
12 June 1915

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Panoramic view of the first floor of the National Motor Museum

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