Land Rover Ambassador re-creats Scott's Terra Nova expedition in Discovery 4

• Land Rover Global Ambassador and professional explorer Ben Saunders sets off on the most ambitious polar expedition in more than 100 years
• A 1,800-mile, four-month unsupported return journey from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole on foot that will retrace the route taken by Captain Scott on his ill-fated Terra Nova expedition more than a century ago

Land Rover Global Brand Ambassador and Polar explorer Ben Saunders and fellow adventurer Tarka L’Herpiniere will today set out from Scott’s Hut, Antarctica on day one of their world record-breaking return journey from the edge of the continent to the South Pole and back.

At 1800 miles it will be the longest unsupported polar journey in history and first completion of Captain Scott’s iconic ill-fated 1910-12 Terra Nova expedition.

Land Rover is a co-presenting partner of The Scott Expedition, which promises challenges that reflect the spirit of adventure, capability and rugged quality that are fundamental to Land Rover’s brand and heritage.

Ben’s Land Rover Discovery has played a vital part in assisting his training, which often takes place in hard to reach places in the UK, Europe and Greenland. Ben’s preparation for the expedition also included the use of the Cold Climate Chamber at Jaguar Land Rover. The chamber is an integral part of the development of all Jaguar Land Rover Products.

Follow the Scott Expedition

The duo will be blogging daily at www.scottexpedition.com/blog and plan to share regular images and video (an expedition first) as well as copy across a host of social media channels while away:

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.

Rolls Royce re-lives 1913 Alpine Trial

Final preparations are underway for the recreation of the 1913 Alpine Trial. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Authorised Dealer in Essex, P&A Wood, is playing an essential role in ensuring cars are in perfect condition for what remains one of the automotive world’s most gruelling tests of endurance. 

Eight of the 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts participating in the rally, many over a century old, have been meticulously prepared by the dealership’s skilled technicians and craftspeople.  

Since its foundation in 1967, P&A Wood has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading restorers of Rolls-Royce motor cars. The company’s site is nestled in the beautiful Essex countryside and boasts a unique coachwork facility where much of the rally preparation work is taking place.

A new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom will open in late summer providing a world-class showcase for contemporary Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models.

“P&A Wood plays a vital role in preserving the marque’s rich history whilst contributing significantly to the contemporary Rolls-Royce success story,” said James Crichton, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Europe. He added: “Investment in a new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom space is testament to a shared commitment to long-term sustainable growth and providing a sales and aftersales experience befitting the world’s leading super-luxury marque.”

On 14 June 2013, 40 Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, wafting through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning on 29 June. The faithful re-enactment celebrates the seminal 1913 Trials, a test of endurance that saw the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cement its reputation for faultless reliability – establishing the legend of the ‘Best Car in the World’.

The cars will tackle over 1,800 miles over some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging mountain passes.

P&A Wood’s motto; ‘Attention to Detail’ echoes the sentiments of Rolls-Royce founding father Sir Henry Royce who famously implored his staff to “Strive for perfection in everything you do”. This approach has earned them much success in concourse events across the globe – with over 100 awards won to date.

“This is an extraordinarily busy time for the workshop,” said Georgina Wood, P&A Wood. Adding: “Eight cars have been sent here from around the world for their final preparations, many of which over a century old. However, such is the enduring engineering integrity of a Rolls-Royce, I am certain they will negotiate the challenging Alpine roads as effortlessly as they did 100 years ago.”

The 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Collection

Echoing events a century ago, a Rolls-Royce Works Team will take part in the rally. The original ‘James Radley’ 1913 Silver Ghost will be joined by a contemporary homage created by Bespoke designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

Finished in an exterior hue that takes inspiration from the Radley car, the 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Ghost features exquisitely crafted Bespoke touches that elegantly tell the story of the 1913 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.

A hand-painted coachline referencing the four Rolls-Royce motor cars that took part in the rally and headlining, colour-matched to the hood of Radley’s car, completes a beautiful tribute.