The Silver Ghost: "The Best Car in the World"

The Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP, later known as the Silver Ghost, is widely regarded as the best car in the world, a title first used by the Pall Mall Gazette in November 1911. The model set new standards in luxury, reliability, and mechanical refinement, becoming the benchmark for all future Rolls-Royce vehicles.

Designed by Frederick Henry Royce and backed by Charles Stewart Rolls, the Silver Ghost debuted in 1906, with production spanning nearly two decades—the longest of any Rolls-Royce model.

One of the Silver Ghost’s greatest triumphs came in 1907, when a factory demonstrator (Chassis 60551) completed a 15,000-mile reliability trial, earning global acclaim. This victory was followed by a legendary 1911 London-to-Edinburgh run, in which the Silver Ghost covered 400 miles on high gear, achieving an impressive 24.32 miles per gallon and later clocking 78.26 mph at Brooklands.

The Birth of the Alpine Eagle

Though the Silver Ghost was not originally designed for motorsport, its owners quickly sought to prove its capabilities in competition. In 1912, James Radley privately entered his 40/50 HP in the Austrian Alpine Trial, but the car failed to conquer the Katschberg Pass due to its three-speed gearbox limitations.

In response, Rolls-Royce prepared four specially modified cars for the 1913 event, equipping them with:

Four-speed gearboxes
Higher compression engines (increasing power from 60 HP to 75 HP)
Larger carburetors

The Rolls-Royce team won six awards, including the prestigious Archduke Leopold Cup. Inspired by this success, the company began producing customer cars to this specification, officially named "Continental" models, but more famously known as the "Alpine Eagle"—a name given by Rolls-Royce chief test driver Ernest Hives.

Production of the Silver Ghost continued until 1925, with 6,173 examples built in England and 1,703 in the United States.

Chassis 56FW: A Rare Alpine Eagle Example

This 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle, Chassis 56FW, was delivered as a rolling chassis to Automobiles Rolls-Royce (AAR) in France on 23 July 1920 for its first owner, Mr. J. Hemeret of Paris.

Factory records indicate that 56FW conformed to Alpine Eagle specifications, featuring:

"D"-rake steering
A chassis designed for a three-seater torpedo body
Designation as a "high-speed model"

The car was originally coachbuilt by Carrosserie Cottenet & Cie in Paris, though no surviving images exist of its original configuration.

Later History & Rediscovery

By 1963, 56FW was owned by Mr. Pierre Lemoine of Paris and is believed to have been discovered in Morocco in a disassembled state. Around this time, a skiff-style body was fitted.

In 1998, the Silver Ghost was owned by Ferrari historian Jess G. Pourret, before being acquired by the late Jacques Dumontant. The following year, 56FW was sold to the Dutch collector Automuseum Deventer.

Rally Participation & Final Restoration

In 2000, the Silver Ghost participated in the Millennium Rally to the North Cape, completing the journey in a stripped-down configuration, featuring:

Two bucket seats
A large fuel tank

Following the rally, a decision was made to restore 56FW to a more fitting sports tourer specification. The final restoration, including the elegant tourer body seen today, was crafted by John Foy of Royston, Hertfordshire, UK.

An Exceptional and Historically Significant Silver Ghost

Today, Chassis 56FW stands as:

A rare Alpine Eagle Silver Ghost with factory-documented high-speed specifications
A car with a rich provenance, delivered new to France and later rediscovered in Morocco
A participant in historic rallies, proving its enduring reliability
An elegantly restored example, retaining its powerful and refined character

With its storied past, exquisite craftsmanship, and impressive performance, this 1920 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle is a truly remarkable collector’s automobile, blending heritage, engineering excellence, and timeless elegance.

Latitude: 50.50993330845742

Longitude: 14.968872070312498

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