History of Rolls Royce
Today, the Rolls Royce brand is known for its iconic, prestigious vehicles. It is one of the few names in the auto industry which has never lost its luxury appeal. When you invest in a Rolls Royce, you know you’re getting style, luxury and reliability. So, where did it all start and how has the company managed to retain its elite status?
Here, we’ll look at the history of the Rolls Royce and where it all started.
Where it all began for Rolls Royce
The Rolls Royce brand we know and love today, started out back in 1884 by Henry Royce. Originally a mechanical and electrical company, it wasn’t until 1904 that Royce created his first motor car. In that same year, he met Charles Rolls, who owned a company selling luxury cars in London.
The two men made an agreement that Henry’s company “Royce Limited”, would develop a range of luxury cars which would be sold by Charles’s company “CS Rolls & Co”, under the exclusive name of Rolls-Royce.
The cars ultimately went on to become extremely successful. So, in 1906, the Rolls-Royce company was formed, and the exclusive Silver Ghost was developed. This six-cylinder motor was named the best car in the world within a year of its release.
How the wars shaped the brand
Although the company had a lot of success with its early vehicles, when the First World War began, it forced the brand to focus its efforts more on the development of aero-engines. The Eagle was the first aero-engine the company designed, and it was used to power the first ever flight from England, all the way to Australia.
From there, production was largely focused on aero-engines, right through until the late 1990’s.
The BMW and Volkswagen acquisition
In 1998, The Rolls Royce Motor Cars brand was sold off to Volkswagen. However, BMW also secured the rights to the marque and the name of Rolls Royce vehicles in the same year. So, Volkswagen only ended up owning part of the prestigious company.
A deal was made between the two companies, stating that BMW could produce complete cars under the Rolls Royce brand from 2003.
The Rolls Royce Phantom
After BMW acquired the rights to produce cars under the Rolls Royce name, the company wasted no time in developing the Rolls Royce Phantom. The 2003 Phantom came in a staggering 44,000 different hues for the interior and exterior.
Today, the Phantom remains one of the most prestigious cars in the world. In fact, out of all of the Rolls Royce models produced, 65% of them are said to still be on the road today. This just shows the love for the brand and the quality produced.
At Rolls Royce Hire, we provide the exclusive Rolls Royce Phantom at unbeatably low prices. Whether you’re searching for the perfect wedding car, or you’re looking to impress a potential client, our affordable Rolls Royce Phantom hire packages can help.
Contact us today to arrange a viewing or to receive a quote for this exquisite vehicle.