Rolls Royce | Classic-car-images

A collection of images of classic Rolls Royce cars, and cars that are likely to become classics, taken at numerous visits to car shows, motoring museums, motoring events and on the road when the opportunity arises.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited is a British luxury automobile maker that has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG since 2003 – as the exclusive manufacturer of Rolls-Royce-branded motor cars. The company's administrative and production headquarters are located on the 42-acre Goodwood Estate in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.

From 1906 to 2003, motor cars were manufactured and marketed under the Rolls-Royce brand by Rolls-Royce Limited and Rolls-Royce Motors. The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars subsidiary of BMW AG has no direct relationship to Rolls-Royce-branded vehicles produced before 2003, other than having briefly supplied components and engines. The Bentley Motors Limited subsidiary of Volkswagen AG is the direct successor to Rolls-Royce Motors and various other predecessor entities that produced Rolls-Royce and Bentley branded cars between the foundation of each company and 2003, when the BMW-controlled entity started producing cars under the Rolls-Royce brand.

1920

1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, R 1909

Image taken at the NEC Classic Car Show on 9th November 2024.
Vehicle first registered on 26th January 1921.
6328cc petrol engine.

The notice displayed with the vehicle states:
The 40/50 or Silver Ghost is one of the most famous cars ever built. This example originally had a seven-seat tourer body by Hooper of London. It was rebuilt as a hearse by Craigie & Mitchell of Laurencekirk in 1924 and later used as a breakdown truck by John Morris, the Dundee Rolls-Royce agents. In 1954 it was acquired by Lord Edward Montagu. The current Roi des Belges style body was built by Leslie Willis in 1961.
The first Rolls-Royce car was built in 1904; designed by Henry Royce and marketed by Charles Stewart Rolls. Rolls-Royce Ltd. was formed in 1906, with the 40/50 model being launched at the Olympia Motor Show that December. The 13th car to be built had its body painted silver, with silver plated lamps and fittings, and became known as 'The Silver Ghost'. It was used for extensive trials, accumulating 15,000 miles in just a few weeks. The Silver Ghost name was eventually officially adopted for the 40/50 model.
Public sales of the 40/50 commenced in September 1907, with production continuing until 1925. Production of private cars stopped during the First World War but the 40/50 proved a popular choice for military service, particularly as armoured cars.

1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, R 1909