When we think of a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, it is usually associated with 1920s Gatsby-style opulence.

We don't usually associate the iconic car with a robust reliability that remains more than 100 years after it was first manufactured, but North Canterbury farmer Andy Foxes' 1922 Silver Ghost has been put through its paces many times since he has owned his vehicle, and it is still going strong.

"I've owned the car for 25 years, but I don't see it as my car.

"I'm just the guardian during my ownership."

The car was initially purchased by one of the owners of the NZ Herald newspaper, and its original body was replaced with a sedan in 1928, which was common practice at the time.

The car was driven as a sedan until the mid-1930s, when, due to difficulty accessing parts, the car fell into disrepair.

It was given a new lease of life with a restoration in the 1960s, and in the 1980s, it received a replica of its original body produced by Gulf Motor Bodies in Auckland.

"This body that's on it was a copy of what it was like in 1922."

Fox's most recent expedition in the Silver Ghost was November last year when he and five other Rolls Royce owners took the classic cars over the South Islands alpine passes.

The three-day trip saw the six cars traverse the Meyers Pass, Deans Pass, Thomson Gorge road and Mount Aspiring Station, spending two nights in Wanaka.

The vintage cars cruised at around 50 miles an hour on the open highway and covered some less well-travelled routes, crossing creeks and shingled roads.

"I always tell people, if you want to drive fast, take a modern car.

"The nice thing about old cars is the journey becomes part of the enjoyment.

"The European philosophy is the enjoyment is the destination, and you get in your car and get there as quickly as possible.

"The Maori philosophy is the enjoyment is the journey."

The November South Island trip marks the tenth anniversary of a much more ambitious adventure when Fox took the Silver Ghost to Europe in 2013 as Rolls Royce enthusiasts recreated the 1913 Alpine Trail.

The original trial event, in which Rolls Royce entered four Silver Ghosts, spanned eight days and around 2600 kilometres over alpine passes across Europe. The Silver Ghost won the 1913 Alpine Trial, awarding the vehicle the title of "best car in the world" and giving would-be car buyers faith in the engineering and robustness of the vehicle.

"In Paris, they put sealing wax on the bonnet and the radiator cap to prove that neither was opened during the trip.

"And then they drove those for cars over the 31 alpine passes in Europe.

"Mainly Switzerland, but also Austria and Italy."

When Fox got the invitation for the centenary trial from the Holy Ghost car club, he was reluctant to go.

"There were just 100 reasons why I shouldn't go.

"We were busy on the farm; it was going to be expensive. I was on the New Zealand Meat Board and Beef + Lamb, and there were board meetings I needed to attend."

Fox's good friend John Chamberlain encouraged him to take the plunge and make the trip anyway.

"He said if you can't find the time, just find the time. So that's exactly what we did."

Three cars from New Zealand attended the 2013 event, and the vehicles were shipped over in containers from Lyttleton to the U.K.

One hundred cars participated in the event, with each vehicle only allowing a driver and navigator.

"We met some amazing people and drove those cars over 21 of the 31 passes they did 100 years earlier," Fox said.

When Fox isn't hitting the roads in the Silver Ghost, he resides on his 1600-hectare sheep and beef farm, Foxdown, in Hurunui, which is now managed by his son George.

Fox is chairperson of Wool Research NZ, the E.B Milton Charitable Trust and the North Canterbury Farmers Charitable Trust.

Foxdown regularly opens its doors to visitors who can view the on-farm museum, classic car collection and walk the farm walking track. A newly built modern hut run sits with panoramic farm views, which people can book through canopy camping.

by Claire Inkson