This Rolls-Royce 40/50 was nicknamed ‘Ladybird’ by its original owner, Lady Flora Eaton of Toronto. One of three Rolls-Royces delivered to her in 1913 (the other two –’Yellowbird’ and ‘Bluebird’ – were open touring cars) Ladybird was rare for its closed body, built by Barker of London, which not only shielded passengers from the Canadian weather, but evoked the wealth of the Eaton family and their Canadian department store dynasty. Less than one percent of the Canadian population owned an automobile in 1913, and a vehicle as luxurious as Ladybird would have been an impressive sight for pedestrians. Ladybird stood out even more as an imported car shipped by steamer and train from England, demonstrating the owner’s allegiance to the British Empire. Lady Eaton was known for her extravagant style and flair, and kept the car until 1952 when it was sold to American singer James Melton.
Ladybird passed through several owners in the United States until the Craven Foundation acquired it in 1972 for its Toronto museum. The car was donated to the Canadian Automotive museum in 1986, after the dissolution of the foundation.
