'Ladybird': A Remarkable Rolls-Royce 40/50 with a Storied Legacy
Originally owned by Lady Flora Eaton of Toronto, this Rolls-Royce 40/50 earned the endearing nickname 'Ladybird'. Among the trio of Rolls-Royces delivered to her in 1913, 'Ladybird' stood out with its rare closed body, meticulously crafted by Barker of London. Not only did this design shield passengers from the Canadian weather, but it also epitomized the opulence of the Eaton family and their esteemed Canadian department store dynasty.
In a time when less than one percent of Canadians owned an automobile, 'Ladybird' commanded attention as a luxurious vehicle, leaving pedestrians in awe. Its status was further elevated as an imported car, carefully shipped by steamship and train from England, serving as a testament to the owner's unwavering allegiance to the British Empire.
Lady Eaton, renowned for her extravagant style and panache, cherished this car until 1952 when it found a new owner in the American singer James Melton. Over the years, 'Ladybird' passed through several hands in the United States until the Craven Foundation acquired it in 1972 for its Toronto museum. Eventually, the car was generously donated to the Canadian Automotive Museum in 1986 following the foundation's dissolution.
