1908 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn completed the centenary Alpine Trail with ease

The Home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today welcomes one of the oldest Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts in the world. The Silver Dawn has just returned from Europe, having successfully completed 1,800 miles on the 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial, the oldest Silver Ghost to do so. Proudly wearing the ‘Number 1’ rally plaque, The Silver Dawn conquered treacherous and demanding conditions, including the infamous Stelvio and Loibl passes. This remarkable motor car is currently on display in the foyer of the company’s Head Office at Goodwood, West Sussex.

The Silver Dawn was built in 1908, wears its original registration number and features original parts including chassis, engine, gearbox and front and rear axles. All major components are stamped 1908 and the engine even retains its original cast iron pistons. The car was restored to an impeccable standard by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ authorised dealer, P&A Wood.

The 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial celebrated a remarkable point in Rolls-Royce history. A century ago this June, 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 1,800 gruelling 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 maker of the ‘Best Car in the World’.

The 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial was fully documented throughout, with over 1,000 spectacular photographs, a daily blog and innovative use of the History Pin website.