Rolls-Royce New car showroom

Dealer Charles Stewart Rolls was encouraged to try electrical engineer Frederick Henry Royce’s 1904 car and appreciated its quality and refinement so much the duo joined forces. In 1907 a 40/50hp model that completed a 24,000km reliability trial became known as the Silver Ghost, due to its unusual colour, and the brand’s reputation became further enhanced in 1925 by the first Phantom. Rolls acquired rival Bentley in 1931, leading to decades of cross sharing. Rolls-Royce aero engines would play a crucial role in both world wars, while back to car engines the 1959 L-series V8 would be fitted to Rolls and Bentleys for the next half-century (and beyond for the latter, in 6.75L guise). A BMW V12 would power future Rolls models – including a new-generation Phantom and the smaller, 7-Series-related Ghost – after the German brand fully acquired Rolls-Royce in 2003 (after interim ownership by Volkswagen).