National Motor Museum, Beaulieu

The National Motor Museum arose out of the collection of the previous Lord Montagu (3rd Baron Beaulieu). It is housed at the Montagu family estate at Beaulieu in the New Forest. Lord Montagu’s father was a keen early motoring enthusiast and his personal vehicles started out the collection.

Starting with the five original cars in the 1950’s the museum has expanded out to hundreds of cars, representing all parts of British Motoring history. Today the museum is run by a separate trust. The museum is probably best known for its racing cars and expensive collection of Edwardian vehicles.

As well […]

1914 Rolls Royce 40/50 Continental ‘Alpine Eagle’

The Alpine Eagle is a variant of the infamous 40/50 ‘Silver Ghost’. It was actually referred to by Rolls Royce as the Continental model. However, the Continental was a replica of the cars entered in the 1913 Austrian Alpine Trial.

During the 1912 Trial, the three speed gearbox had proven insufficient. Therefore, four cars were prepared for the 1913 season with four speed gearboxes. Power was increased to 75hp (from 60) through increased compression and and improved carburettor. The four cars were known as Alpine Eagles.

The success of the Alpine Eagle allowed Rolls Royce to market the model to […]