A place where people and cars meet
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ genre-defining all-electric super coupé, Spectre, has now concluded an historic and unique undertaking: a 2.5-million-kilometre testing programme simulating more than 400 years of use. In the most demanding development process in the marque’s 119-year history, Spectre has endured temperatures ranging from -40°C to +50°C, and in conditions spanning from Arctic snow and ice to deserts, high mountain passes and the world’s megacities. Continue reading
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars signals the end of a glorious, glamorous era as it ceases production of its Dawn convertible. In this retrospective, the marque reflects on the best-selling drophead in the brand’s history as it takes its own unique place in the pantheon of great Rolls-Royce motor cars. Continue reading
A unique and extensively Bespoke one-of-one Ghost has been designed for Manchester, to celebrate the city’s historical link with the marque. The northern metropolis has long been an important place for Rolls-Royce: on 4th May 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in the Midland Hotel, in central Manchester, and it was from this meeting that the marque’s two founding fathers agreed together to create ‘the best motor car in the world’. This is the first time, however, that the city of Manchester has been chosen as the inspiration for a Rolls-Royce commission.
“I am proud to unveil the Manchester Ghost, a truly special one-of-one embodiment of artistry and skill, curated in collaboration with our Dealer Partners from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester. As Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in Manchester, the city has, and always will have, a potent historical resonance for the marque. Our accomplished artisans, designers and engineers at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex have created a truly remarkable motor car, capturing the city’s history, and the city today, as well as celebrating some of its most remarkable accomplishments. The Manchester Ghost brings together the Home of Rolls-Royce where each motor car is hand built and the city where the original idea for Rolls-Royce was born.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, United Kingdom, Europe, CIS
The combined talent of the Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce saw designers, craftspeople and artisans collaborate over a period of two years to create this motor car.
“Manchester has always been a part of Rolls-Royce’s history. I wanted to create a highly contemporary yet elegant iteration of Ghost, honoring the significance of the city for the marque and celebrating the accomplishments of the people of Manchester whilst also incorporating the mélange of Manchester’s modern and traditional architecture.”
Ieuan Hatheral, Designer
MANCHESTER BEE
The Manchester Bee, one of the best-known symbols of the city and emblem for the city for more than 150 years, has been a source of great inspiration for this motor car. The Manchester Bee symbolizes Mancunians’ strong work ethic and the city being a hive of activity. On the exterior of this unique motor car, a Bespoke motif, inspired by the Manchester Bee and presented in Turchese, is displayed on the C pillar. Inside, the Manchester Bee theme continues, with this iconic symbol embroidered on the front and rear seat inserts.
The traditional Silver exterior of the Manchester Ghost is punctuated with a coachline in Turchese, creating a contemporary accent to the car. The pinstripe wheel center caps, also presented in Turchese, echo the design, while the brake calipers in the same hue elegantly complete the exterior.
ILLUMINATED FASCIA
For the Manchester Ghost, a truly special Illuminated Fascia, with 10,000 laser etched dots, depicts an ethereal view of Manchester from above. The largest etched dot on the Illuminated Fascia represents the location of the Midland Hotel, the very place where the marque’s two founding fathers first met at the start of the twentieth century. The Illuminated Fascia references the title of the poem ‘This is the Place’ by Tony Walsh, a sentimental tribute to the city of Manchester.
REAR SEAT EMBROIDERY
Landmark locations in Manchester are embroidered in tone-on-tone thread to the rear seat center and demonstrate the unrivalled capabilities of the Bespoke department.
GRAPHENE HEADLINER
In 2004, two professors at the University of Manchester first isolated Graphene, an incredibly lightweight, strong and flexible material. The discovery of this material, with its unique properties, helped to reaffirm Manchester as a city renowned for revolutionary inventions, academic expertise, and research. This Bespoke commission celebrates this pioneering spirit, with the fabled Rolls-Royce headliner depicting a Graphene lattice inspired pattern.
ILLUMINATED TREADPLATES
The illuminated treadplates also celebrate Manchester’s reputation as a pioneer in the field of technology. Inside the cabin doors, the abbreviated name for the city, ‘MCR’ is inscribed in Binary. This is a tribute to ‘The Manchester Baby’, the world’s first stored programmed electronic digital computer which was successfully run at the University of Manchester on 21st June 1948 – a landmark moment in the history of computing.
“As a born and bred Mancunian, this commission is truly special and will always be highly memorable for me. From the moment we set out to design a motor car to celebrate the city of Manchester, we wanted to create something that would celebrate the city’s history and the place today. It has been great to work with the team at Home of Rolls-Royce to turn our vision into a reality.”
Jon Crossley, Brand Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils Black Badge Wraith Black Arrow to mark the end of production of one of the most transformative motor cars in the marque’s history. This Bespoke masterpiece, limited to just 12 examples worldwide, is also the last V12 coupé Rolls-Royce will ever make, as it embarks on its bold new electric era.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today unveils Phantom Syntopia, an intricate, Haute Couture-inspired masterpiece created in collaboration with renowned Dutch fashion designer and Haute Couturière Iris van Herpen. Based on Phantom Extended – the ultimate blank canvas for personalization – it is the most technically complex commission ever undertaken by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective. Now, after four years of continuous development, this extraordinary and unique creation is complete; it will soon take its place in the private collection of discerning patrons of the brand. Continue reading
When Rolls-Royce Motor Cars began full-scale manufacturing at Goodwood, it produced just a single model: the original, seventh-generation Phantom. The first completed motor car was handed over to its new owner in a special ceremony at one minute past midnight on 1 January 2003. Continue reading
The Trans-America Challenge is to play host to a woman who is believed to be the world’s oldest rally navigator. 97-year-old Dorothy Caldwell will be participating on the Endurance Rally Association’s 5810-mile rally with her son Alastair in a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III.
“When we lived in England, my family was into racing – my brother did it, and then both of my sons in New Zealand. The first rally I did with Alastair was in Suffolk in 2011. It seemed like quite a simple thing to me, so when he asked if I would navigate for him on the first Trans-America Challenge back in 2012, I said I would! Since then, we’ve been to Burma for a rally and I’m about to leave for the second Trans-America Challenge as we speak.”
Dorothy’s son Alastair is a former manager of the McLaren Formula One team. He insists his mother has never attempted to ‘pull rank’ from behind the map. “We’ve never had a cross word on a rally, it’s a team effort and we work very well together.”
As navigator, Dorothy – who was awarded the prize for “Spirit of the Rally” on the 2012 Trans-America Challenge – looks after the maps, updates and trip meter. It’s a role that requires dedication and a constant state of alert; as the rally navigates a difficult route through challenging terrain. Despite her years, Dorothy takes the arduous role in her stride; and remains sharp and awake throughout regardless of the rally in question.
“I’ll only come if he takes the Rolls-Royce though,” says Dorothy. “It’s more comfortable than his sports cars, and it has air conditioning! I’m the last in my generation now; I’m starting to find it harder. I’m beginning to need glasses for distance, and as I’m in the middle of moving house I think it might be time to ease back a little. So this will probably be my last big rally.
“But Alastair tells me there’s going to be one in New Zealand soon… so I might be back for that.”
The 2nd Trans-America Challenge will begin on Sunday 7th June. The route begins in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and will finish in San Francisco, California, on Sunday 28th June. There will be 45 participants in cars ranging from a 1927 Bentley 4.5 litre to a 1973 MGBGT.
For updates on Dorothy and the progress of the Trans-America Challenge visit www.endurorally.com.
December 11, 2014, Sarasota FL – The Sarasota Exotic Car Fest fired up its 13th year with a reception at Lamborghini Sarasota. The event will be held February 20-22, 2015 with a theme honoring the 30th Anniversary of Miami Vice and its car culture. Several guests at the reception got into the spirit, donning their ‘80s attire. While the centerpiece of the weekend will be the exotic cars, several other activities will be taking place, offering something for everyone.
“We continue to grow, drawing entries from as far as Washington state. This year, with the Miami Vice ‘80s theme and one-of-a-kind Cocktail Theater, promises to be our best one yet.” – Marilee Roberts, Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Chair
The weekend begins Friday night, February 20, with a luxury lifestyle reception featuring a silent auction, wine, cocktails, haute cuisine, private jets from presenting sponsor Southern Jet, and a hangar full of exotic cars from Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mclaren, Rolls Royce, and more. The next day, these cars and many more will line the streets of downtown Sarasota for an up-close-and-personal look. The concours is free and open to the public, with a VIP area presented by Full Moon Productions. A dinner follows, featuring a unique cocktail theater, presented by world-renowned mixologist Rob Floyd, as well as dancing and entertainment. Sunday begins with a rally, touring some of the area’s best driving roads, ending at The Founders Golf Club for a closing brunch.
For the third year, all proceeds benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida, Inc. For tickets or more information please visit sarasotaexoticcarfest.com.
Sarasota Exotic Car Fest Co-chairs Marilee and Gary Roberts
A black-plate 1967 Maserati Mistral 4000 stored in Washington since 1978, a 1964 Facel Vega Facel III stored in Northern California since 1974, and an original Fiat Tippolino Garden Car will be sold to settle estates at no reserve at the Lucky Collector Car Auction this weekend. The sale will be held on the grounds of the LeMay Family Foundation’s Marymount Campus in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, May 31 2014.
In addition to the anticipated Euro and American sports cars, there are dozens more collector and low-mileage driver-quality vehicles, as well as barn finds and classics offered at no reserve. Other highlights include early Corvettes, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz, muscle cars, and vintage trucks. The event is expected to include 120 cars, 30 motorcycles, mahogany boats, and memorabilia.
A great piece of British automotive history is heading to auction next month when the first example of the last Rolls-Royce model to be built at the original Crewe factory goes under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions.
Estimated at between £95,000 and £105,000, the Rolls Royce Corniche, chassis number 001, was purchased by the current owner in 2001. Its first owner was Rolls-Royce themselves who are believed to have used the car for testing and development, along with promotional marketing of the new model.
A significant motorcar in the history of the marque, the last of the ‘proper Rolls-Royces’, it was the final model to be developed at the original Crewe factory when the company was still independently owned. The car was also the first Rolls Royce to be launched in the 21st Century, an era which would see, and continues to see, huge changes having been taken over by BMW in 2003.
The car will be offered at Silverstone Auctions’ May Sale on May 24th at The Wing, Silverstone Race Circuit and comes 110 years after the unveiling of the first ever Rolls-Royce, the 10HP in 1904.
Commenting on the car, Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “It’s a delight to be able to offer such a historically significant motor car for auction. Rolls-Royce is truly one of the world’s most admired car marques and it’s fantastic to be able to play a part in the history of a very significant example.”
The interior of the car offers a degree of comfort and luxury that has become a hallmark of the brand. As regards the power train under the bonnet, there’s no modern BMW V12 unit, but a 6.75 litre V8-engine whose Chrysler origins date back to the 1950s.
Fully maintained as per Rolls Royce factory requirements, the first five stamps in the service book were completed by Rolls Royce themselves at Crewe and the total mileage of the car today is just 24,926. Presented with the car is a substantial history file of service invoices and also the official sales brochure from Rolls Royce featuring the car itself.
For more information on the car please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/2000-rolls-royce-cornich-chassis-001
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