| They are the ultimate cars of luxury. Kings and | | | | repute. It broke the mould for craftsmanship, |
| Queens have been chauffeur driven in them and | | | | engineering and attention to detail and earned a |
| Hollywood stars love being photographed in them. | | | | reputation as the best car in the world, covering |
| They are the epitome of opulence. But what is | | | | 15,000 continuous miles with little wear. |
| the history of these famous cars? | | | | The company also produced aircraft engines and |
| On 4th May 1904 the Midland Hotel in Manchester | | | | their first was produced in 1914. By the late |
| Charles Rolls had lunch with Henry Royce. Charles | | | | 1920's aviation made up most of their business |
| was an aristocrat and adventurer, born in 1877. | | | | and during the First World War nearly half of all |
| He was also an engineer and the first pilot to | | | | the aircraft engines used by the allies were made |
| complete a double crossing of the English Channel. | | | | by Rolls-Royce. |
| Henry was a mechanical engineer and was born in | | | | During the war, their Silver Ghost car chassis was |
| 1863. He set up his first business at the age of 21 | | | | toughened with armour and used as a combat |
| and registered his first patent in 1887. The pair | | | | car. The Silver Ghost remained in production until |
| discussed joining forces. | | | | 1926. |
| In 1902, Royce had built his first car - a Decauville. | | | | After the war in 1946 Rolls-Royce brought out |
| He wasn't happy with it and set about building the | | | | the Silver Wraith and made more cars again. The |
| best cars in the world. In 1903 he had built his | | | | Silver Wraith was produced until 1959. |
| first engine and in 1904 a prototype was taken to | | | | In 1950 HRH Princess Elizabeth took delivery of |
| the road. | | | | the first Phantom IV - a car that was designed |
| Charles Rolls was the first Cambridge | | | | exclusively for heads of state and royalty. Only |
| undergraduate to own a car and he soon began | | | | 18 were ever produced. |
| racing. To fund his passion he set up a car | | | | Rolls-Royce celebrated their 100th birthday in |
| dealership. He mostly sold foreign cars but was | | | | 2004 and they have had many successes along |
| seeking quality English cars- a quest that led him | | | | the way. Their 'R' engine design powered the |
| to Henry Royce. | | | | winning plane in the Intercontinental Schneider |
| Following the now famous Manchester lunch, the | | | | Trophy seaplane contest and a new air speed |
| pair agreed that Rolls would exclusively sell as | | | | record was set. In 1933 George Eyston broke the |
| many cars as Royce could make, and in 1906 | | | | land speed record with a top speed of 312.2mph |
| Rolls-Royce Limited was officially founded. | | | | in his car Thunderbolt which was powered by two |
| In 1907 Henry Royce announced the six-cylinder | | | | 'R' engines. |
| Silver Ghost - a super smooth car of great | | | | |