Rolls-Royce Limited

Charles Stewart Rolls, born in 1877 in London, was a British engineer and pioneer in the automobile industry. He co-founded the Rolls-Royce Limited company and was known for his passion for engines and cars from a young age.

Henry Royce started an electrical and mechanical business in 1884, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in automotive engineering. This early business venture set the stage for the creation of Rolls-Royce Limited.

In 1900, Charles Rolls and Claude Johnson founded CS Rolls & Co., one of the earliest car dealerships in Britain. They specialized in importing and selling Peugeot motor cars from France and Minerva motor cars from Belgium.

In 1903, Rolls broke the world land speed record in Dublin by driving a 30hp Mors at almost 83mph. However, his achievement was not officially recognized by the governing body due to unapproved timing equipment.

Henry Edmunds introduced Charles Rolls to Henry Royce at the Midland Hotel in Manchester. Rolls was impressed by Royce's 10hp car and they decided to collaborate, leading to the formation of Rolls-Royce.

The Silver Ghost, introduced by Rolls-Royce Ltd in 1906, played a significant role in establishing the company's early reputation due to its 6-cylinder engine and exceptional engineering excellence and reliability.

In 1907, an early advert for the 40/50hp motor car by Johnson promoted it as 'The six-cylinder Rolls-Royce – not one of the best, but the Best Car in the World.' This introduction of the phrase forever associated it with Rolls-Royce.

Charles Rolls, co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited, tragically died in 1910 while piloting a Wright Flyer at Hengistbury Airfield when the tail broke off and the plane crashed. He was the first Brit to die in a powered aircraft accident.

In 1911, the iconic 'Spirit of Ecstasy' mascot made its first appearance on a Rolls-Royce car, adding a touch of elegance and luxury to the brand.

Rolls-Royce's venture into aero engine manufacturing, playing a crucial role in aviation history.

During WWI, Rolls-Royce began producing aero engines due to the decline in demand for luxury cars, marking a significant shift in the company's focus.

In 1921, Rolls-Royce established a new factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, known as Rolls-Royce of America, Inc., to address a high demand for their vehicles. The factory operated for 10 years and produced a total of 2,944 vehicles before closing in 1931.

After World War I, Rolls-Royce introduced the Twenty model in 1922 to diversify their product line and cater to a wider market. This marked a shift from their previous one-model policy that had been in place since 1908.

In 1925, Rolls-Royce unveiled the 40/50 hp Phantom as a successor to the Silver Ghost model. The Phantom series continued with models like the Phantom III in 1936, catering to a prestigious clientele including heads of state.

In 1931, Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley, rescuing the ailing company during the Great Depression. This acquisition led to a period where Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars shared many similarities.

Rolls-Royce introduced the Bentley 3½ Litre, a new medium-size car advertised as 'the silent sports car'. It was successful in sports car races and helped boost sales by proving its performance capabilities.

The Merlin aero engine, Henry Royce's last design, had its first flight in prototype form in 1935, two years after Royce's death in 1933. The engine was a powerful supercharged V12 engine that played a significant role in World War II aircraft.

Rolls-Royce Limited began joint development of jet engines in 1940, marking a significant advancement in aero-engine technology. This laid the foundation for the company's future innovations in aviation.

In December 1942, Rolls-Royce agreed to take over top-secret work on the development of the jet engine during a meeting at the Swan and Royal in Clitheroe. This marked a significant turning point in the company's history, leading to advancements in gas turbine engine design.

In 1944, Rolls-Royce Limited started the production of jet engines. This milestone solidified the company's position as a key player in the aero-engine industry and paved the way for further advancements in aviation technology.

In 1946, Rolls-Royce moved its production to Crewe, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 1959, Rolls-Royce purchased the coachbuilder H J Mulliner and merged it with Park Ward Limited. This consolidation of the two businesses led to the formation of H J Mulliner Park Ward.

In 1966, Rolls-Royce acquired Bristol Siddeley, which was formed from the merger of Armstrong Siddeley and Bristol Aero Engines. The acquisition led to the establishment of the Bristol Siddeley division, known for its military engines like the Olympus and collaborations for Concorde engines.

Due to financial problems caused by the development of the RB211 turbofan engine for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's L-1011 TriStar, Rolls-Royce voluntarily entered receivership on February 4, 1971, after receiving government subsidies.

Rolls-Royce Motors Limited was established on April 25, 1971, following the financial troubles of Rolls-Royce. It took over the manufacturing of motor cars, diesel and petrol engines, and other products previously made by Rolls-Royce's divisions.

The original company, Rolls-Royce Limited, was placed in liquidation on October 4, 1971, as part of the aftermath of financial difficulties faced by the company.

In May 1973, the business of Rolls-Royce Motors was sold to Rolls-Royce Motors Holdings Limited in preparation for its public flotation. This move signified a strategic shift in the company's ownership and future plans.

The name of Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited was changed to Rolls-Royce Limited on 31 December 1977. The original Rolls-Royce Limited incorporated in 1906 and still in liquidation had been renamed Rolls-Royce Realisations Limited.

On 6 August 1980, the shareholders' agreement to the merger of Rolls-Royce Motors Holdings and Vickers Limited became unconditional.

Perkins Engines acquired the Rolls-Royce diesel business from Vickers in 1984. Perkins further developed the Eagle Diesels into the Perkins TX series of engines.

In April 1987, the government offered for sale all Rolls-Royce plc shares. The heavily advertised issue was a remarkable success. Rolls-Royce's business was exceptionally long-term, with engine development and production spanning several years.

Leavesden Aerodrome, originally owned by the Ministry of Defence and used during World War II, was closed in June 1993 after being utilized by Rolls-Royce for manufacturing helicopter engines. The site was later transformed into Leavesden Film Studios, famous for producing blockbuster films like James Bond, Star Wars, and Harry Potter series.

In 1998, Rolls-Royce Motors was sold to Volkswagen, while BMW acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand name and logo. This led to BMW becoming the exclusive producer of Rolls-Royce automobiles.

The Corniche V model was produced by Rolls-Royce between 2000 and 2002.

On January 1, 2003, a new agreement between Volkswagen and BMW came into effect, with Volkswagen retaining the name Bentley and BMW acquiring the name Rolls-Royce, leading to the production of the first Rolls-Royce Phantom later that year.

Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motorcars brands separated, with Rolls-Royce operating under BMW Group and Bentley under VW Group.

In 2017, Rolls-Royce introduced the Sweptail, a one-off luxury car tailored to the specific requests of a wealthy client.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars selects a house charity each year to be their primary charitable focus. For 2019, they have chosen Home-Start Arun.

The event covers the extensive history of Rolls-Royce spanning 116 years, highlighting key milestones and achievements of the renowned luxury car manufacturer.

The new Black Badge configurations are setting a new standard of luxury in the Rolls-Royce lineup.

In 2023, Rolls-Royce unveiled the Spectre, an electric luxury car that marks a shift towards sustainable mobility in the automotive industry.