ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM: 100 YEARS OF PERFECTION

January 20, 2025 No Comments

In 2025, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks the centenary of the launch of the first Phantom. Throughout its long history, the Phantom nameplate has been reserved for the pinnacle model in the marque’s portfolio – the very apex of excellence.

“One hundred years ago, Rolls-Royce launched the first motor car to bear what would become the most evocative and enduring nameplate in its history: Phantom. Through eight generations, Phantom’s fundamental role as the pinnacle Rolls-Royce motor car has always been the same: to be the most magnificent, desirable and above all, effortless motor car in the world – the very best of the best. In many respects, the history of Phantom is the history of Rolls-Royce: always moving with the times and its clients’ needs and requirements, transcending fleeting trends and providing the setting for the most remarkable executions of craft and artistry, all while resolutely refusing to compromise its core engineering and design principles. We’re proud to continue this tradition of excellence, elegance and serenity into the next 100 years.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

In 2025, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marks the centenary of the launch of the first Phantom. Throughout its long history, the Phantom nameplate has been reserved for the pinnacle model in the marque’s portfolio – the very apex of excellence.

Each iteration, up to and including the eighth generation currently being handcrafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, has seen advances in design, engineering, materials and technology. Today, Phantom is the ultimate blank canvas for Bespoke commissions, where clients can bring their most elaborate, imaginative and personal visions to life. Inspiration for Bespoke commissions is everywhere, and Phantom’s scale, elegance, presence and adaptability enable it to be whatever its owner wishes it to be. Recent inspirations include haute couture (Phantom Syntopia), famous films (Phantom Goldfinger), Chinese culture (Phantom Extended ‘Year of the Dragon’) and the marque’s own Spirit of Ecstasy Mascot (Phantom Scintilla).

Phantom has always had the same fundamental aim: to provide the most magnificent, desirable and, above all, effortless motor car in the world – the very best of the best. At the start of Phantom’s anniversary year, Rolls-Royce reveals the fascinating story behind its pinnacle product, and how it earned – and maintained – that reputation through a century of constant, often profound change.

A NEW BEGINNING

Rolls-Royce first earned the accolade of ‘the best car in the world’ with the 40/50 H.P., universally known as the Silver Ghost, launched in 1906. The key to its legendary reputation was Henry Royce’s principle of constant improvement to its underlying engineering, which he conducted on an almost chassis-by-chassis basis.

By 1921, Royce realised the Silver Ghost’s design was reaching the point where no further developments would be possible without compromising either smoothness or reliability – both by now essential elements of the Rolls-Royce character and legend. He therefore began work on its replacement.

“Rolls-Royce Ltd beg to announce that, after prolonged tests, they can now demonstrate and accept orders for a new 40/50 H.P. chassis. The 40/50 H.P. chassis hitherto manufactured by them will be sold as before… The original chassis of this type was the famous Silver Ghost, and to prevent confusion such chassis will be known as the Silver Ghost model, whereas the new chassis will be known as the New Phantom.”
Original Advertisement from The Times Newspaper, Saturday 2 May 1925

Despite being couched in terms that today seem rather quaint and stilted, this advertisement made history. It was the first public acceptance by Rolls-Royce that the outgoing model would be called Silver Ghost officially, rather than as a byname. More significantly, it was the first recorded use of the Phantom name.

THE GAME OF THE NAME

Although there is no specific documentary evidence, it seems safe to assume that the Phantom name was coined by Rolls-Royce’s energetic and ever-inventive Commercial Managing Director, Claude Johnson. It was he who recognised that naming the company’s products could act as a sales device, and it was his fertile imagination that produced the inspired sobriquet ‘Silver Ghost’ for the otherwise prosaically titled 40/50 H.P. in 1907. That same year, he christened another 40/50 H.P. ‘Green Phantom’, before bestowing the rather more evocative ‘Silver Phantom’ on two examples in 1909.

Johnson clearly understood the power of names like Phantom, Wraith and Ghost to convey the products’ supernatural quietness and ethereal grace; all have graced Rolls-Royce motor cars in the modern era for precisely the same reason. How different history would have been had one of his more fanciful efforts – The Dreadnought, The Cookie, Yellow Bird, The Elusive Pimpernel – been adopted instead.

A CHANGING WORLD

The Phantom name had graced the very best of the best cars in the world for some 14 years when war broke out in 1939. Rolls-Royce ceased all motor car production, and when peace returned in 1945, the company found itself in an entirely different world – but one it had anticipated and prepared for.

Rolls-Royce had correctly foreseen that under post-war austerity, it would need to make its motor cars less complex, easier to service, much less expensive to produce and able to use common parts. At the same time, it was adamant that there would be no reduction in quality.

Its solution was the Rationalised Range, which debuted in 1946 with Silver Wraith. Its new straight-6-cylinder engine was a backward step from the V12 engine of Phantom III, but relevant in straitened times. There seemed to be no place in the modern world for Phantom.

A ROYAL INTERVENTION

The Phantom story might well have ended there, but for two serendipitous events.

As part of the ongoing development process for the Rationalised Range, engineers produced four experimental EX cars on a 229.5-inch chassis with a straight-8 engine. One of these, fitted with a Park Ward & Co. limousine body, was officially named Silver Phantom (and unofficially known as Big Bertha). A smaller, lighter saloon version, known as the Scalded Cat, followed.

At the same time, the Royal Household was seeking to replace its ageing fleet of Daimlers – the marque it had favoured since the motor car was invented – but was unhappy with the range then on offer.

In 1950, Rolls-Royce was asked to supply a formal limousine for Royal duties. The company had long been keen to usurp Daimler in the Royal Mews, and gladly produced a ‘one-off’ straight-8 long-chassis limousine with coachwork by H. J. Mulliner. During manufacture, the car was given the codename Maharajah, and remains in active service at the Royal Mews under that name to this day.

When requests for similar motor cars followed from other Royalty and Heads of State, Rolls-Royce was happy to oblige. The company decided it would be fitting that for such prestigious cars to resurrect the Phantom name. Over the next seven years, the marque produced just 18 examples of Phantom IV, including a second motor car for the Royal Mews, a landaulette named Jubilee, delivered in 1954.

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“We are constantly astounded by the diversity of ideas that inform our clients’ Bespoke concepts, which frequently draw inspiration from materials, finishes and themes they see in other commissions. Spectre Lunaflair is the perfect example of this, exploring the ethereal beauty of a lunar halo and sparked by the client after witnessing a paint finish on another Bespoke motor car. This symbiotic relationship and cross-pollination of ideas is fostering a ‘virtuous circle’ of innovation and creativity, which is incredibly important to our team of Bespoke designers, as we focus on delivering unparalleled value to those who entrust us with their vision.”

Martina Starke, Head of Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the breathtaking Spectre Lunaflair – a Bespoke commission undertaken on behalf of a significant client from the United States. The extraordinary and exquisite highlight of this landmark motor car is the remarkable holographic paint finish that creates a captivating ‘rainbow’ effect.

The commission takes its inspiration and name from the optical phenomenon of a lunar halo, which appears as a colourful circle of light around the moon. It is caused by moonlight passing through ice crystals in high-altitude cirrus clouds, which act as microscopic prisms: the light refracts creating a spellbinding technicolour ring effect, similar to light passing through a diamond.

Capturing this phenomenon in a Bespoke paint finish required more than one year of experimentation. The paint chemistry, application timings, and base coat were extensively trialled in order to meet the client’s concept. The final finish is achieved by applying seven layers of lacquer, including a specially formulated pearlescent coat, infused with fine flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminium. This creates a deep metallic effect under low light that bursts into rainbow technicolour in bright sunshine.

The Spectre Lunaflair concept was partially inspired by another Bespoke masterpiece, the one-of-one Phantom Syntopia. Revealed in 2023, it features a dark iridescent Liquid Noir finish, infused with colour-shifting, mirror-like pigment. Captivated by Phantom Syntopia’s appearance, the commissioning patron asked the Bespoke Collective to create a light and luminous expression of this concept that reflected their fascination with the lunar halo phenomenon.

This cross-pollination of ideas, where a previous commission directly informs and inspires a completely new concept and story, speaks to the power of Bespoke. For the marque’s Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople, this virtuous creative circle and interconnection of ideas constantly provides new opportunities for the advancement of their art.

Spectre Lunaflair’s dramatic coachwork is complemented by a fully Bespoke interior. It includes Navy Blue, White, and Peony Pink tones, recalling the spectrum of hues that can be witnessed during a lunar halo. The colour scheme appears on the seats, doors and the Starlight Headliner. This theme is also carried onto the dual-tone steering wheel, with a Navy Blue outer and an Arctic White inner side.

Only one Spectre Lunaflair will ever be produced. The unique Lunaflair paint finish is reserved exclusively for the commissioning patron.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub.

ROLLS-ROYCE PRESENTS SPECTRE LUNAFLAIR: A SPELLBINDING EXPRESSION OF BESPOKE

October 1, 2024 No Comments

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Leeds has been an important part of our trusted dealer network ever since JCT joined the Rolls-Royce family in 2018. The opening of this new space is a momentous occasion – it illustrates a bold and exciting step for the brand, bringing the essence of Goodwood to Yorkshire. This new expansive and contemporary space – with its wealth of digital technologies, and sophisticated, elegant design – is the perfect embodiment of the brand. It is the ideal space for the highly professional team to offer patrons a hyper-personalised client experience characterised by luxurious encounters. It really captures the spirit of the marque and brings our visual identity to life, reaffirming our position as a leading House of Luxury.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Asia

“After adding Rolls-Royce to our stable of luxury car marques in 2018, we were keen to create a new home for it which would do justice to this world-leading brand. Bringing a touch of Goodwood to Yorkshire and the North East, the Leeds showroom is simply stunning. From a multi-media curtain of ‘dancing’ kinetic lighting to a unique ‘cabinet of curiosities’ showcasing our Yorkshire heritage, a visit here is designed to be an engaging experience for customers where they can see the very best of the Rolls-Royce brand.”

Kristian Keighley, Head of Business for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Leeds, JCT600 Brooklands.

Rolls-Royce has a profound understanding of its clients, their expectations, their needs and their wishes. This is an essential element in the marque’s ongoing success as a renowned House of Luxury. The new Rolls-Royce showroom in the heart of Yorkshire is the perfect place for clients to learn more about the marque and experience the elegance of the world of Rolls-Royce.

Located in a prominent location in Leeds, this space showcases the marque’s exquisite products and provides clients with an unparalleled experience, in line with Rolls-Royce’s position as a true global luxury goods brand. The new showroom, with the front doors modelled on Rolls-Royce’s famous Pantheon grille, offers clients a fully immersive brand experience from the moment they enter the building.

Inside, the new showroom exudes cool modern luxury, yet still recognises the importance of heritage for the marque, with citations from the founding fathers of the brand throughout the showroom. The Cabinet of Curiosities, an eclectic mix of intriguing, timeless and legendary design objects, sparks the imagination and client conversations as part of the commission process. It also celebrates the local area with unique objects and books which reflect the legends that hail from Yorkshire.

The pièce de résistance, the Atelier, is the place where, with the help of the marque’s highly skilled and professional team, clients can envisage their dream commission coming to life. Housing some of the marque’s most exquisite examples of craftsmanship, including wood veneers, leathers, embroidery threads and lambswool samples, in a variety of vivacious hues, the Atelier is a sensory-inspired room; it showcases the marque’s fluency in Bespoke and luxury. The surface-finish samples are presented in the familiar Rolls-Royce speedform shape, making it easy to imagine the almost endless two-tone colour combinations; the leathers are rolled on wands with handles from Rolls-Royce’s famous umbrellas, while the veneers are shaped like the cross-section of an aerofoil, recalling the aviation exploits of the marque’s founding father, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls.

The remarkable space that is the Leeds showroom is a further sign of the dealership’s commitment to excellence and extraordinary journey since joining the marque in 2018. In 2020, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Leeds was honoured to receive the title of ‘Global Whispers Dealer’. Whisper’s is the marque highly exclusive members only club.

A Rolls-Royce is unapologetically luxurious, it is unmistakable, synonymous with beauty and elegance, a true design icon, and so, in the new Leeds showroom, each model rightfully enjoys its own dedicated space, framed, and is presented according to its distinctive personality and characteristics.

PJE

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS LEEDS UNVEILS NEW LUXURIOUS SHOWROOM

September 25, 2024 No Comments

THE 1940s THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN

September 16, 2024 No Comments

MODELS OF THE MARQUE: THE 1940s THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN

The latest in the ‘Models of the Marque’ series showcases the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. Launched in 1949, it marked a profound change for Rolls-Royce, reflecting the realities of the post-war market.

“For the first 40 years of its existence, Rolls-Royce built only rolling chassis, onto which independent coachbuilders installed bodywork specified by the client. It wasn’t until the late 1940s that the marque produced its first complete motor car – the Silver Dawn. Launched in 1949, it marked a profound change for Rolls-Royce, reflecting the realities of the post-war market while giving the marque more control than it had ever enjoyed over the exterior design of its products. It was also the second model to be built on a single, variable underlying structure, foreshadowing the Architecture of Luxury upon which all Rolls-Royce motor cars of the modern era are built.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Although Rolls-Royce suspended motor car production between 1939 and 1945 to focus on building aero engines, design work on a new model continued in the background.

During the 1930s, Rolls-Royce offered three models, each of which included numerous parts that were unique to it and could not be shared between them. This significantly increased the manufacturing costs per car, which quickly became unsustainable during the austerity of the post-war years.

Rolls-Royce therefore faced the problem of reducing production costs without compromising quality or performance. The solution was new models that could share common parts, a new engine that could be offered in straight-four, six or eight-cylinder variants, and a single chassis that could be configured in variable dimensions. The latter can be seen as a precursor of the proprietary aluminium spaceframe, known as the Architecture of Luxury, that underpins every motor car built at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood today.

These ideas came together in a development programme for what would be known as the ‘Rationalised Range’. In 1946, Rolls-Royce launched the first such model: the Silver Wraith. This was a direct replacement for Phantom III, introduced in 1936. Like its predecessor, and indeed all the pre-war models, Silver Wraith was a rolling chassis designed to be fitted with third-party, coach-built bodywork.

Rolls-Royce knew that to be commercially successful in these more challenging times, it needed a model that was less expensive and could be produced in greater numbers than was possible with traditional coachbuilding. So, for the first time in its history, Rolls-Royce decided to produce a complete motor car, with coachwork assembled in-house. In the same way that Silver Wraith replaced Phantom III, this new model would assume the mantle of the small-horsepower cars the marque had built in previous decades.

The second model in the ‘Rationalised Range’, the Silver Dawn, was launched in 1949, initially only as an export car mainly for the North American and Australian markets; it became available to UK clients in 1952. Of the 761 Silver Dawns produced, most were supplied with the ‘Standard Steel’ four-door saloon bodies produced in-house. But in deference to clients’ requirements, Rolls-Royce also offered the Silver Dawn as a rolling chassis, with some 64 coach-built examples completed in a production run that lasted until 1955.

As further proof of the Rationalised Range approach, by 1952, clients could specify both the smaller, complete Silver Dawn and larger Silver Wraith rolling chassis with automatic gear selection. Indeed, Silver Dawn would be among the very last Rolls-Royce models to be offered with a manual transmission. It would be more than half a century before the advent of the satellite-aided, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission fitted to all of today’s V12 Rolls-Royce motor cars – but the die had been cast.

Towards the end of its lifespan, Silver Dawn’s rear section was reworked by the then newly hired John Blatchley, who had learned his craft with renowned London coachbuilder Gurney Nutting before joining Rolls-Royce. His deft eye for detail not only allowed for greater luggage capacity, but also enhanced the motor car’s looks considerably; perhaps not surprisingly, he would go on to become the marque’s Chief Styling Engineer. In 2015, the nameplate was revived with Dawn, which was the best-selling drophead in Rolls-Royce’s history by the time production ended in 2023.

The ‘youngest’ Silver Dawn is now almost 70 years old. Yet even now, it offers an exhilarating experience for the driver and a restful ride for passengers over long distances in modern traffic conditions. It was and is, in every sense, entirely a Rolls-Royce.

PJE

A rare example of a coachbuilt Silver Cloud will form the centrepiece of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ annual presence at the world-famous Goodwood Revival, which takes place from 6-8 September.

“Goodwood Revival is a wonderfully eccentric, nostalgic and glamorous celebration of the cars, fashions and culture of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. During this period, Rolls-Royce produced some of the most memorable models in its long history, including the Silver Cloud III we are displaying in the March Motor Works this year. It’s a rare and beautiful example of the coachbuilder’s art from a time when Rolls-Royce offered its clients a Coachbuild option alongside its standard models – a service that’s enjoyed its own revival at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in the modern era. We’re delighted to be part of this remarkable event once again, particularly in our 120th anniversary year.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations & Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

For its 120th anniversary year, the marque has designed the March Motor Works, located at the infield end of the main circuit tunnel, as a faithful replica of Berkeley Square and the Rolls‑Royce showroom on nearby Conduit Street in London’s Mayfair in 1964.

On display will be a magnificently maintained Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III; this sleek, elegant motor car is understood to be one of only around 100 examples of a fixed-head coupé (FHC) design ever built on the Silver Cloud III chassis by the legendary coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward. It is finished in a handsome Brewster Green, with a Claret Red leather-trimmed interior. Under the bonnet is a hand-built, 6.2-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine, delivering around 210bhp to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Silver Cloud III is historically important as the last predominantly owner-driven Rolls‑Royce to be offered as a rolling chassis, upon which clients could commission fully bespoke bodywork from Mulliner Park Ward or other specialist coachbuilders, as well as a complete motor car. (To be strictly accurate, Phantom VI remained in production as a separate chassis, albeit in small numbers, until 1993, with coachwork predominantly supplied by Mulliner Park Ward, which was by then a Rolls-Royce subsidiary. However, these were all limousines designed to be driven by a chauffeur.)

Berkeley Square and its environs were home to several luxury car showrooms at that time, including Jack Barclay. Charles Rolls was born a stone’s throw away in Hill Street, Mayfair, and would go on to establish his showroom in nearby Conduit Street, shortly after forming the partnership with Henry Royce in 1904: the March Motor Works showcases the premises as they would have appeared 60 years later.

PJE

RARE SILVER CLOUD FORMS THE CENTREPIECE OF ROLLS-ROYCE’S PRESENCE AT GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2024

September 9, 2024 No Comments

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils Spectre Semaphore, a Bespoke one-of-one commission that will make its global debut at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, on 16 August, during the 2024 Monterey Car Week in California. This highly Bespoke expression of Rolls-Royce Spectre captures the bold new codes of luxury being established by the marque’s confident, youthful client base.

The exterior coachwork is finished in Bespoke Semaphore Yellow – the colour from which this commission takes its name. This solid hue is further elevated with a unique artwork on the bonnet, inspired by the informal elegance of coastal California. Named ‘Marbled Paint Spill’, the graphic is an abstract tribute to the Golden State and its diverse environment. From the sunshine of Southern California to the eastern silver mountain tops, the Bespoke artisans have brought this inspiration to reality.

To create this motif, Rolls-Royce craftspeople applied silver lacquer and multiple layers of clearcoat for a seamless finish. The bonnet alone is the product of over 160 hours of design, development and production. The bright yellow colourway extends into the motor car’s interior. A combination of Bespoke Lemon Yellow and Citrine Yellow is used across the seats, Starlight doors and above the instrument panel. It blends into the contrasting Grace White and Slate Grey hues with Lemon Yellow stitching. The marque’s designers also leveraged the digital Bespoke potential offered by the SPIRIT operating system by complementing the dials to the motor car’s yellow colourway.

Spectre Semaphore maximises the interior suite’s contemporary design with a clean, high-polish Bespoke painted wood set. Coloured to match the grey material accents, the Cashmere Grey paint is infused with silver mica flakes, which creates a vivacious sparkle under direct light. Only one Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore will be built. It will be displayed on 16 August at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, as part of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ presence at Monterey Car Week 2024.

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION. Spectre: WLTP: Power consumption: 2.6-2.8 mi/kWh / 23.6-22.2 kWh/100km. Electric range 329 mi / 530 km. NEDC: CO2 emissions 0 g/km.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils Spectre Semaphore

August 9, 2024 No Comments

MODELS OF THE MARQUE: THE 1930s THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III

August 2, 2024 No Comments

The fourth in the ‘Models of the Marque’ series showcases the Rolls-Royce Phantom III. Launched in 1936, it was the first model to be powered by a V12 engine, setting the template for every Rolls-Royce up to and including the modern era. It was also Sir Henry Royce’s last major design before his passing in 1933.

A brief history of the Rolls-Royce Phantom III launched in 1936
The first Rolls-Royce motor car powered by a V12 engine
Sir Henry Royce’s last major design before his passing in 1933
Naming of the marque’s first all-electric model, Spectre, was inspired by ten experimental Phantom IIIs built from 1934 to 1937
Fourth in a series celebrating landmark models from the marque’s history
Year-long retrospective marks the 120th anniversary of the first meeting between Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls in 1904

“Launched in 1936, Phantom III has a special place in the pantheon of great Rolls-Royce motor cars. It was the first to be powered by a V12 engine, setting the template for every Rolls-Royce up to and including the modern era, while also incorporating suspension and chassis technology that secured the marque’s enduring reputation for both peerless comfort and outstanding performance. There is a certain poignancy to this motor car, too. Production ceased in 1939 and, despite its technical advances and immense potential, never resumed, leaving a question of what might have been. It was also Sir Henry Royce’s last major design, which his death in 1933 meant he never saw completed. But, visionary that he was, he had established fundamental technical and design tenets that still hold true today.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations & Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

As early as 1930, Sir Henry Royce realised that his large-horsepower, in-line six-cylinder Rolls-Royce engines were reaching their technical limits. In simple terms, there wasn’t much more power or torque he could feasibly extract from them. He realised that Rolls-Royce risked losing ground to its American rivals, who were already busily producing luxury cars with much more powerful engines in V8, V12, and even V16 configurations.

Royce had a wealth of experience in designing V12 aero engines, and Rolls-Royce was equally adept at making them. It was therefore a logical and natural progression for Royce to create a V12 engine for the successor to Phantom II, which had appeared in 1929.

Royce’s new engine represented significant technical progress. The new V12 was shorter than Phantom II’s in-line six-cylinder unit, with a capacity of 7.3 litres compared to its predecessor’s 7.6 litres. These more compact dimensions allowed a shorter bonnet and larger passenger compartment, giving coachbuilders more scope than earlier Rolls-Royce rolling chassis. Most importantly, however, the new engine delivered the increased power Royce was seeking. In its initial form, it produced 165 H.P., compared to the 120 of Phantom II, rising to 180 in later motor cars.

The chassis, too, was a major leap forward in design. In another first for the marque, Royce equipped Phantom III with independent front suspension, an innovation that considerably increased both ride comfort and steering control. Characteristically, his design team also incorporated a great number of smaller engineering advances that owners and passengers would probably never notice but greatly reduced the transmission of noise, vibration and harshness caused by poor road surfaces. Taken together, these developments made the Phantom III one of the quietest and smoothest-riding cars of the 1930s. When fitted with Royce’s preferred lightweight coachwork, it was capable of reaching 100 miles per hour.

Royce saw experimental versions of the engine completed, but his death in April 1933 came a year before the first test cars were ready. Ten of these experimental Phantom III motor cars were built between 1934 and 1937 under the codename Spectre, a storied name that lives on today in the marque’s first all-electric model.

The first production Phantom III chassis, sporting a saloon-with-division body built by H. J. Mulliner, was delivered in August 1936. In all, 710 examples were produced, before Rolls-Royce ceased its motor car production in 1939; the last Phantom III was purchased in June 1940.

The directors of Rolls-Royce knew that, once peace returned, they would be operating in a very different world – and that there would be no place in it for a motor car like Phantom III. Perhaps even more so than in 1918, the marque would have to focus its energies on models that were more in keeping with the time, while continuing to build upon the standards of quality and refinement expected of a Rolls-Royce. So, despite its technical brilliance, superlative performance and immense potential for further development, its brief but transformative life was over. Yet its influence would be felt in every Rolls-Royce motor car right up to and including the V12-powered models still being built at Goodwood today. An enduring testament to both the excellence of Phantom III’s design and engineering, and the visionary talents of its creator.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has appointed Automobile Bavaria as its official dealer in Romania

August 2, 2024 No Comments

The new dealership will operate under the name Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bucharest. Automobile Bavaria becomes first authorized Rolls-Royce dealer in Romania since the foundation of the brand 120 years ago.

As an authorized dealer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bucharest will have the capability to offer the complete range of products and services directly. Clients in Romania will enjoy enhanced access to the Rolls-Royce portfolio and services, supported by the exceptional commitment and support for which Automobile Bavaria is renowned.

Rolls-Royce is set to open a showroom worth nearly 1 million euros in the north of Bucharest. This marks also the first time the British luxury car manufacturer will establish an authorized dealership in Romania. BMW’s brand is distributed in Romania through Automobile Bavaria, which also manages the official Rolls-Royce service center in Bucharest.

Consequently, Romania is poised to become the third country in the Balkans, alongside the Czech Republic and Turkey, to inaugurate an official Rolls-Royce showroom, located within the Automobile Bavaria complex in Băneasa. Automobile Bavaria has been inaugurated as a Rolls-Royce service partner in 2010. The new dealer Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bucharest forms part of Schmidt Premium Cars, as does Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Munich.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the British ambassador’s residence in Bucharest. The event was attended by Giles Portman, the British Ambassador to Bucharest, Michael Schmidt Owner of Automobile Bavaria, Frank Tiemann – Head of Corporate Communication for Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia Rolls at Royce Motor Cars, Leonhard Georg Pfeffer, CEO Automobile Bavaria, Cristian Bednar -Brand Manager at Rolls-Royce Authorised Service Workshop Bucharest and Ciprian Bercea – Marketing & Digitalization Director at Automobile Bavaria, along with members of the Romanian press.

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London kicks off the summer sporting season by inviting patrons to enjoy one of the most sought-after highlights in the sporting summer season

July 11, 2024 No Comments

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London kicks off the summer sporting season by inviting patrons to enjoy one of the most sought-after highlights in the sporting summer season: a day at The Hurlingham Club Tennis Classic.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is fortunate to have personal relationships with its clients around the world, and an intimate understanding of the unique and remarkable world in which its patrons live. It is therefore fitting that the marque serves a gentle presence at some of the world’s most luxurious locations and events, where existing owners and those wishing to learn more about the brand can enjoy the Rolls-Royce experience in a different, yet highly appropriate setting.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London kicks off the summer sporting season by inviting patrons to enjoy one of the most sought-after highlights in the sporting summer season: a day at The Hurlingham Club Tennis Classic. Speaking on the eve of the event, Claus Andersen, Brand Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, said, “Crafting and delivering unforgettable experiences is a cornerstone of our commitment to clients. Hosting patrons and media at The Hurlingham Club is just one of the many highly personal encounters and memorable experiences we offer, and is indicative of the marque’s unique approach to connecting with its audience.”
Claus Andersen, Brand Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London

Since its opening in 1869, The Hurlingham Club, with its croquet and tennis lawns, and beautifully manicured gardens, has been a sought-after destination, renowned for its sporting prestige, lifestyle events and social occasions. Located on the River Thames, only a few miles away from the marque’s flagship showroom in the heart of Mayfair, The Hurlingham Club, is a glorious place to meet old friends and new.

Rolls-Royce Spectre, the marque’s ultra-luxury all-electric super coupé, will be making its debut at the event, accompanied by an exquisite collection of other Rolls-Royce motor cars which showcase just some of the marque’s legendary Bespoke possibilities.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub

The third instalment of the ‘Models of the Marque’ series celebrates the Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. – the ‘Twenty’. Launched in 1922, this transformative motor car was the first Rolls-Royce expressly designed for owner-driven motoring.

A brief history of the Rolls-Royce 20 H.P. – known as the ‘Twenty’ – launched in 1922
A transformative motor car for the marque, it was the first Rolls-Royce ever designed expressly to be owner-driven rather than chauffeured
Third in a series celebrating landmark models from each decade of the marque’s history, from its foundational years in the 1900s to the contemporary Goodwood era
Year-long retrospective marks the 120th anniversary of the first meeting between Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls in 1904

“The legendary 20 H.P., known simply as the ‘Twenty’, was launched on 6 October 1922. Designed by Henry Royce, it ranks among the most important and transformational models ever produced by the marque. Its technology was highly advanced for the time and set the mechanical template for generations of Rolls-Royce motor cars that followed it. Smaller, lighter and less complex than its predecessors, it was also the first Rolls-Royce specifically intended for owners to drive themselves, rather than chauffeured use, reflecting the changed world in which Rolls-Royce found itself operating after 1918. More than a century later, its influence can still be seen in contemporary automotive engineering and design, including the models we build at Goodwood today – a remarkable motor car with an extraordinary legacy.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

A CHANGED WORLD
Even before the Armistice was signed in 1918, Henry Royce was preparing for what he knew would be a very different post-war world. He reasoned that, given the likely difficulty of recruiting, retaining or affording a mechanic or chauffeur as they had done previously, some customers would no longer be able or willing to run the marque’s most popular pre-1914 model, the 40/50 H.P. ‘Silver Ghost’. He needed to create a motor car that was simpler to maintain – and, even more importantly, that the owner could more easily drive themselves. At the same time, Royce knew these discerning clients would expect and accept nothing less than the Rolls-Royce standards of excellence they were accustomed to – and neither would he.

THE ‘TWENTY’
On 6 October 1922, Rolls-Royce unveiled its new ‘small horsepower’ motor car, the 20 H.P., the first Rolls-Royce ever designed expressly to be owner-driven rather than chauffeured. It was immediately obvious that the ‘Twenty’, as it quickly became known, represented a huge technical leap forward. Its straight-six cylinder, 3.1-litre engine was less than half the size of the Silver Ghost’s 7.5-litre unit: however, the new model also weighed around 30% less. This meant the performance gap between them was far less than the raw numbers might suggest. Indeed, with its light controls and more advanced steering, braking and suspension systems, the ‘Twenty’ made the Silver Ghost seem rather outdated, although the larger model remained significantly ahead of its direct competitors.

The ‘Twenty’ quickly became a firm favourite both with established Rolls-Royce owners and those new customers for whom, as Royce had predicted, purchase price and ongoing running costs were more important considerations than they had been a few years earlier.

In letters to the motoring press, one happy owner praised it as ‘a charming piece of mechanism’ while another declared, ‘I have never handled anything as sweet-running’. A company advertisement quoted an expert assessment of the car as ‘everything a motorist can want… motoring with a high degree of refinement and its simplicity of construction will delight the driver’. After taking delivery of his car, a contented customer wrote to the company from his home in France declaring: ‘I drove my 20 H.P. here from Liverpool and am very satisfied with the running of the engine, not having to change gear between Liverpool and Versailles’.

WEIGHTY ISSUES
Like all Rolls-Royce models of the era, the ‘Twenty’ was produced as a ‘rolling chassis’, on which owners commissioned bespoke bodywork from an independent coachbuilder. Royce had always intended that it should primarily be an owner-driver car and hoped coachbuilders and customers alike would embrace this by keeping their creations as svelte and lightweight as possible.

However, he was unable to change the habits of a lifetime among some customers. Many owners persisted in specifying their preferred style of solid, formal coachwork that was both heavier and produced greater wind resistance. To Royce’s understandable irritation, these massive, overbuilt bodies inevitably compromised performance.

Ever the pragmatist, Royce knew there was only one way to improve the weight-to-performance ratio. In 1929, the ‘Twenty’ was replaced by the 20/25 H.P., powered by an enlarged capacity engine, followed in 1935 by the 25/30 H.P. with a 4.25-litre powerplant. The ‘small horsepower’ era finally came to an end with the Wraith of 1938. These later iterations, all direct developments of the ‘Twenty’, add further lustre to its record and reputation.

A LASTING INFLUENCE
The ‘Twenty’ had a profound influence on Rolls-Royce long after production ceased in 1929, by which time no fewer than 2,940 examples had been built. In particular, the straight six-cylinder engine – with detachable cylinder head and overhead valves – would provide the template for Rolls-Royce engines for years to come. Open the bonnet of any six-cylinder Rolls-Royce right up to the Silver Cloud model (1955-9) and their shared heritage is clear to see, albeit with many internal improvements. And when the by-then venerable Silver Ghost was replaced with the new Phantom in 1925, its engine also adopted the essential ‘Twenty’ pattern.

‘MODELS OF THE MARQUE’: THE 1920s – ROLLS-ROYCE 20 H.P. THE ‘TWENTY’

July 4, 2024 No Comments