Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle

This 1923 Silver Ghost, chassis 44SG, is a rare unrestored survivor with an unusual history. It was walled up in a Spanish nobleman's mansion in 1936, at the onset of the Spanish Civil War, and stayed there until the wall was knocked down in 1986. It has been Spanish registered throughout.

It keeps its original coachwork by the Madrid branch of Labourdette: an open driving compartment with a folding rear hood in original japanned leather. The dealer says the car is largely original. The wings have been repainted in a dull black finish and the driver's seating has new black leather, but the rear is untouched. The car has not been shown, and is pitched as a candidate for preservation classes at concours events.

Mechanically, the car went to Rolls-Royce Madrid in 1933 for new pistons and valves and a general overhaul. A full bill for that work is on file, along with a large amount of period paperwork. The dealer reports that it starts readily and runs quietly, and that it has covered few miles since the rebuild. It is in central Spain and can be viewed by appointment.