New Rolls-Royce Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Collection Looks Back 100 Years for Inspiration

Premium automakers are well aware of the fact that affluent Chinese customers have a thing for special edition models, which is why you'll be seeing plenty of them at the Auto China 2013 in Shanghai.

Rolls-Royce, of course, is no stranger to limited edition versions, but with the new Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Collection, it's the first time in the company's history that a bespoke model has taken inspiration from a heritage Rolls-Royce.

Poised for a world premiere in Shanghai, the new model pays tribute to the Silver Ghosts that embarked on the Austrian Alpine Trials in 1913, where Rolls-Royce Works Team and privateer entrant James Radley won the 1,820 miles-long (close to 3,000km) endurance race.

The special edition Ghost Alpine Trial Centenary Collection takes close inspiration from Radley’s Silver Ghost with a bespoke "baby-blue" paint hue, and black grille and wheels. Inside, the clock displays the stages of the rally and timings, while inlays to rear picnic tables and the front fascia represent the topography and distances of the Alpine route, and the headliner matches the hood of Radley’s car.

Along with the modern day Ghost special, Rolls-Royce also plans to celebrate the centenary of the 1913 Alpine Trial by participating in a faithful re-enactment organized by the 20-Ghost Club, which will start in Vienna on 14 June 2013.

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