Rolls-Royce Alpine Centenary Ghost makes its first North American appearance

Sun, 18 Aug 2013

Rolls-Royce choose this year's Shanghai Motor Show as the occasion to show off its achingly cool Alpine Trial Centenary Edition Ghost, but The Quail was the site of the car's North American coming out party.

The one-off Rolls pays tribute to a heroic moment in the marque's history, when four 1913 Silver Ghosts, three factory cars and one privateer entry, successfully completed the 1,820-mile Austrian Alpine Trials. The privateer racer in question, James Radley, is the gentleman responsible for the pretty color combination you see on this new Ghost. Radley's blue bodywork over black wheels looked great in 1913 and haven't lost any luster 100 years on to our eyes.

You can revisit the details about this historically rooted Rolls-Royce in the press release below, or simply take a stroll through our fresh gallery of images from The Quail.

ROLLS-ROYCE ALPINE TRIAL CENTENARY COLLECTION CAR MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT QUAIL

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils the Alpine Centenary Collection Car to North American attendees at Quail, A Motorsport Gathering. Part of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance weekend.

A century ago, four Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts embarked on the Austrian Alpine Trials, the most arduous test of automotive endurance of the time.

In performing without fault over 1,820 grueling miles of near impassable mountain terrain, the Rolls-Royce Works Team and privateer entrant James Radley helped cement the marque's reputation for peerless reliability and mechanical excellence, a reputation the company proudly retains today. The Silver Ghosts' performance establishing Rolls-Royce as creator of the 'Best Car in the World'.

The Bespoke department at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England celebrates these endeavours with the North American launch of the Alpine Trial Centenary Collection.

The first time a Bespoke model has taken inspiration from a heritage Rolls-Royce, this limited edition of Rolls-Royce Ghosts features exquisitely crafted design cues that pay tribute to the 1913 Alpine Trials cars. The exterior paint hue, for example takes close inspiration from Radley's Silver Ghost, a car that will participate in this year's reenactment of the 1913 Alpine Trial, as part of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Works Team.

The Radley car's distinct black grille and wheels are also replicated across the collection – the first time a painted grille has adorned a contemporary Rolls-Royce motor car.

The cabin plays host to Bespoke details that elegantly tell the story of the Alpine Trial. The clock displays the stages of the rally and timings, whilst inlays to rear picnic tables and the front fascia express the topography and distances of the Alpine route. Each element is meticulously hand-crafted and researched to ensure accuracy, epitomising hallmark Rolls-Royce attention to detail.

A hand-painted coachline referencing the four Rolls-Royces that took part in the rally and headlining, colour-matched to the hood of Radley's car, completes a beautiful homage.

"The 1913 Alpine Trial was an extraordinary moment in the rich history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars," said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. "The standards of engineering and pioneer spirit required to achieve such feats stands as inspiration to everyone associated with the marque. The Bespoke Alpine Trial Centenary Collection is a fitting tribute to these achievements. It is testament to the enduring quality of a Rolls-Royce motor car that this 2013 car will be joined by a participant in the original trials, the 1913 Radley Silver Ghost."

In June of 2013, the Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Car joined the original James Radley Silver Ghost and 46 other enthusiastic competitors in the 100th Anniversary rerunning of the original Alpine Trials Rally. Through 17 days and more than 1,800 miles, 47 magnificent Silver Ghosts wafted their way through the Alps, accompanied by the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars 'Works Team', An event which will live in the memories of those that saw the marvel at first hand for many years to come.

History was brought to life by the intrepid owners as they piloted their machines with consummate skill up challenging Alpine passes and across the borders of five countries, before emerging in Vienna just as the original competitors did exactly 100 years before. The 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial was also graced with British Royalty, Lords and Ladies, Ambassadors and participants from 12 countries as far flung as Australia and the United States.

The adventure was fully documented throughout, with over 1,000 spectacular photographs, a daily blog and innovative use of the History Pin website. See the following links:

By Seyth Miersma