Rolls-Royce
40/50 hp Silver Ghost "Alpine Eagle" (Continental)

Why it matters

The Alpine Eagle was a sporting Silver Ghost specification derived from the cars Rolls-Royce prepared for the 1913 Alpine Trial. It combined greater ground clearance, high-compression engines and four-speed gearboxes, and was offered to sporting customers.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

History

The 1913 works Alpine Trial cars had more ground clearance, 22-inch radiators, enlarged fuel tanks, high-compression pistons and four-speed gearboxes. Their success made the specification popular, and later customer cars gained concentric brakes, a starting carburettor and a self-starter.

A catalogued example, chassis 58UE of 1920, has a build record noting 'chassis to be built for speed' with a 'High Speed Alpine Eagle engine', light springing and a lowered steering column. It was bodied by Barker and has remained largely original.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer by Barker, Cliveden House 2025 Level C RM Sotheby's

   • mated to four-speed gearboxes

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   1914 Rolls-Royce 40/50 HP Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle Tourer Level C Gooding Christie's

   • Front Solid Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs

   Accessed 2026-11-12