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20-Ghost group celebrates 110th anniversary of 1913 Alpenfahrt in Salzburg

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**Titular:** *Vintage Rolls-Royce Conquer Alps Again*

**Intro:** Members of the 20-Ghost Club, the world’s oldest Rolls-Royce owners’ group for pre-1940 models, triumphantly concluded a 16-day, 2,600-kilometer recreation of the 1913 Alpenfahrt. Retracing historic Alpine routes, vintage Silver Ghosts and modern Rolls-Royce models celebrated the 110th anniversary of the trial that solidified the marque’s legendary status, with the debut of the “Inspiring Greatness Trophy” honoring heritage and excellence.

**Factbox (50w):**
– **Event:** 110th-anniversary recreation of 1913 Alpenfahrt (2,600 km, 16 days).
– **Participants:** 20-Ghost Club (pre-1940 Rolls-Royce cars) + modern Ghost models.
– **Highlight:** Rolls-Royce awarded its first “Inspiring Greatness Trophy.”
– **Legacy:** Commemorates 1913 trial that crowned Rolls-Royce “the best car in the world.”
– **Route:** Alps to Salzburg, echoing historic Works Team triumph.

**Title:** Vintage Glory Reborn: 20-Ghost Club Conquers the Alps in Historic Rolls-Royce Alpenfahrt Recreation

**Introduction**
In a breathtaking tribute to automotive heritage, members of the 20-Ghost Club—the world’s oldest Rolls-Royce owners’ group dedicated exclusively to pre-1940 models—recently completed a spectacular recreation of the legendary 1913 Alpenfahrt. Marking the 110th anniversary of the original trial that crowned Rolls-Royce as “the best car in the world,” the 16-day, 2,600-kilometer journey through Europe’s highest Alpine passes culminated in a triumphant arrival in Salzburg. The event blended vintage elegance with modern luxury, celebrating both history and innovation.

**A Legacy Forged in the Alps**
The 1913 Alpenfahrt was a grueling 7-day endurance trial across the Austrian Alps, where Rolls-Royce’s Silver Ghosts dominated with unmatched reliability, cementing the marque’s global reputation. Over a century later, the 20-Ghost Club retraced this iconic route, navigating the same treacherous highways that tested the limits of man and machine in the early 20th century. Among the participants was a surviving Silver Ghost from the original Works Team, a rolling testament to Rolls-Royce’s enduring engineering brilliance.

**The 2023 Recreation: A Journey Through Time**
The 2023 Alpenfahrt recreation was no less ambitious. Twenty pre-1940 Rolls-Royce vehicles, alongside modern Ghost and Black Badge Ghost models from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood (itself celebrating 20 years), embarked on the epic Alpine odyssey. While the modern iteration favored camaraderie over competition, the spirit of excellence remained unchanged. Drivers faced winding mountain roads and dramatic elevation changes, echoing the challenges overcome by their predecessors.

**The Inspiring Greatness Trophy: A Nod to History**
Adding a touch of friendly rivalry, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars introduced the inaugural *Inspiring Greatness Trophy*. Judged by brand custodians Ken Forbes and Nick Naismith, the award honored the participant who best embodied Rolls-Royce’s ethos of perfection. This homage mirrored the original 1913 accolades, bridging past and present while celebrating the passion of owners who preserve these automotive treasures.

**Words from the Top: Torsten Müller-Ötvös Reflects**
Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, who joined segments of the tour, praised the event:
*“The 1913 Alpenfahrt was pivotal in our story. Today, these magnificent Silver Ghosts—still fully operational thanks to their devoted custodians—prove that greatness transcends time. It’s an honor to share this journey with such extraordinary individuals and their machines.”*

**Old Meets New: A Symphony of Engineering**
The rally showcased a striking contrast: pre-war Silver Ghosts, revered for their whisper-quiet engines and hand-crafted coachwork, rolled alongside Goodwood’s bespoke contemporary Ghost models. This fusion highlighted Rolls-Royce’s evolution while underscoring a shared DNA of uncompromising quality. The modern fleet, featuring cutting-edge technology, paid silent tribute to their ancestors’ pioneering spirit.

**Conclusion: Preserving Legacy, Inspiring the Future**
As the convoy arrived in Salzburg, the event’s deeper significance came into focus. Beyond celebrating history, the Alpenfahrt recreation underscored the importance of preservation and passion. These rolling masterpieces, maintained with unwavering dedication, continue to inspire awe and connect generations. For Rolls-Royce, the journey was a powerful reminder that true greatness—whether in 1913 or 2023—is timeless.


**Final Note:** This event not only honored a historic milestone but also set the stage for future celebrations of automotive heritage, proving that the spirit of adventure and excellence remains at the heart of Rolls-Royce.

*Image suggestions:*
– Vintage Silver Ghosts ascending Alpine passes.
– Side-by-side shots of 1913 and 2023 models.
– The Inspiring Greatness Trophy presentation.
– Panoramic views of the Salzburg finish line.

**FAQs: 20-Ghost Club’s 2023 Alpenfahrt Recreation**

1. **What is the 20-Ghost Club?**
The 20-Ghost Club is the world’s oldest Rolls-Royce owners’ group, exclusively dedicated to pre-1940 models, celebrating the marque’s heritage through events like the Alpenfahrt recreation.

2. **What was the 1913 Alpenfahrt?**
The 1913 Alpenfahrt was a grueling 7-day, 2,600km trial across the Alps, where Rolls-Royce’s Silver Ghosts proved their reliability, earning the brand “the best car in the world” acclaim.

3. **How did the 2023 event differ from the original?**
The 2023 recreation spanned 16 days (vs. 7 in 1913) as a celebratory tour, not a competition, with both vintage and modern Rolls-Royce models participating.

4. **What is the Inspiring Greatness Trophy?**
Awarded for the first time in 2023, this trophy honors the 20-Ghost Club member embodying Rolls-Royce’s ethos, judged by Ken Forbes and Nick Naismith, echoing 1913’s competitive spirit.

5. **Which vehicles participated in the 2023 event?**
Pre-1940 Silver Ghosts (including a 1913 Works Team car) and modern Rolls-Royce models like Ghost and Black Badge Ghost accompanied the tour.

6. **Why was Salzburg significant to the event?**
Salzburg marked the triumphant finish of both the 1913 trial and its 2023 recreation, symbolizing Rolls-Royce’s enduring legacy in Alpine endurance challenges.

7. **How did Rolls-Royce Motor Cars support the event?**
The brand provided bespoke Ghost and Black Badge Ghost models from Goodwood, coinciding with the factory’s 20th anniversary, to accompany vintage cars on parts of the route.

8. **What role did Silver Ghosts play in Rolls-Royce’s reputation?**
Their flawless 1913 Alpenfahrt performance under extreme conditions solidified Rolls-Royce’s global prestige, a legacy honored by their participation in the 2023 recreation.

9. **Who judged the Inspiring Greatness Trophy?**
Rolls-Royce executives Ken Forbes and Nick Naismith evaluated participants based on how well they reflected the marque’s values of engineering excellence and historical reverence.

10. **Were modern Rolls-Royce cars tested during the event?**
Modern Ghost and Black Badge Ghost models joined sections of the route, showcasing contemporary engineering while paying homage to their pre-1940 predecessors.

11. **How does this event celebrate Rolls-Royce’s 110th anniversary?**
By retracing the 1913 route, the recreation honored the trial that defined Rolls-Royce’s reputation, blending heritage with modern craftsmanship over 2,600km.

12. **What challenges did participants face?**
Drivers navigated high-altitude Alpine roads, replicating 1913’s demanding conditions, testing both vintage and modern vehicles’ endurance and reliability.

13. **How many cars participated in the 2023 recreation?**
The event featured multiple pre-1940 Silver Ghosts and modern Rolls-Royce models, though the exact number of participants wasn’t specified in reports.

14. **Why include Goodwood’s 20th anniversary in the event?**
Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood plant, opened in 2003, built the modern Ghosts used, linking the marque’s storied past with its 21st-century innovations.

15. **What makes the 20-Ghost Club unique?**
As the oldest club focused solely on pre-1940 Rolls-Royces, it preserves the legacy of early models through events that blend historical reverence with modern camaraderie.

**CTA (Llamado a la Acción):**
¿Te inspira la grandeza de Rolls-Royce? Descubre más sobre la historia de la marca, únete a la conversación en redes sociales con el hashtag #Alpenfahrt2023 o explora cómo los modelos actuales como Ghost y Black Badge continúan definiendo el lujo automotriz. Visita el sitio oficial de Rolls-Royce o contacta al 20-Ghost Club para ser parte de la próxima generación de custodios de esta leyenda sobre ruedas.

**Conclusión:**
La recreación del Alpenfahrt de 1913 no solo honra un hito histórico, sino que reafirma la eterna excelencia de Rolls-Royce. Desde los Silver Ghosts que conquistaron los Alpes hace 110 años hasta los modelos contemporáneos que hoy brillan en las carreteras, este evento simboliza la ingeniería impecable, el espíritu aventurero y la pasión inquebrantable de una comunidad global. Al cruzar la meta en Salzburg, los participantes no cerraron un viaje, sino que encendieron una antorcha: el legado de Rolls-Royce sigue vivo, desafiando el tiempo y elevando el estándar de lo posible.

**Agradecimiento:**
Un especial reconocimiento al 20-Ghost Club, cuyos miembros preservan con esmero estas joyas automotrices; a Rolls-Royce Motor Cars por su apoyo y por crear el Trofeo “Inspiring Greatness”; y a todos los pilotos, equipos y entusiastas que hicieron de esta travesía un tributo inolvidable. Gracias también a la Casa de Rolls-Royce en Goodwood, que celebra sus 20 años, por acompañar este viaje con ejemplares únicos que unen pasado y presente. ¡El futuro, como el rugido de un motor clásico, promete seguir resonando con grandeza! 🎩✨

Ahmed Saleh
Ahmed Saleh
Articles: 318

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