Rolls-Royce’s Works entrants in the 1913 Alpine Trial were a team of specially prepared cars, built to an enhanced specification with greater ground clearance, 22-inch radiators, enlarged fuel tanks, and engines with high-compression pistons, mated to four-speed gearboxes. The success of these cars led to the popularity of the same specification intended for more sporting-minded owners and backed by advanced features such as concentric brakes, a starting carburettor, and genuine Rolls-Royce equipment including a self-starter. The build record for chassis 58UE, offered here, specifically notes “chassis to be built for speed”, with the equipment of a “High Speed Alpine Eagle engine”, “light springing”, and a lowered D-position steering column, while the body crafted by Barker was a lightweight two-door tourer with concealed hinges and no exterior door handles. Very few Silver Ghosts of any era were as dramatic and rakish; fewer still began life so fortuitously, and have survived the passing century so intact.

The car was originally delivered to cotton manufacturer T A Stuttard at his home, Brae Cottage—familiar to Rolls-Royce enthusiasts as the former home of Sir F Henry Royce himself—in front of which the Silver Ghost was pictured in-period. It is believed to have covered only 10,000 miles by 1951. It is subsequently recorded as having been owned by Rex Broughton of Cheshire, who recorded it with the American Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club from 1969 to 1972, then in 1977 was acquired by The British Icons Collection. At that time, noted Silver Ghost technician Jonathan Harley wrote of it that “the car is completely authentic to all intents and purposes. The coachwork is original and in excellent condition. There does not appear to be any modifications carried out on any part of the coachwork or chassis…58UE stands head and shoulders above most of its vintage brethren and as an investment, must rank with the best pre-World War I Silver Ghosts extant”.

Undoubtedly the meticulous consigning owner agreed, as for the last 46 years the car has been driven with pride and dependability extensively all over the world, covering around 35,000 miles while remaining, as it sits today, largely original, unrestored, and remarkably preserved. It has covered extended distances in both Europe and the United States, and participated in the 2013 Alpine Rally, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the event that birthed its design. This enthusiastic use has been supported by extensive servicing and proper maintenance by noted marque authorities, most prominently and frequently the revered Jonathan Harley and subsequently P&A Wood, as reflected in the impressive maintenance invoice file included.