The Gentleman Magazine Issue 15 | June 2019 | Page 36

ROLLS-ROYCE MARKS 115 YEARS
OF EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION
On 4 May 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce met for the
first time at The Midland Hotel, Manchester; an encounter that
would change the course of automotive history. Exactly 115
years later, the marque they agreed to form that day continues
to set global standards for innovation and excellence, and
uphold their legacy as the originators of ‘the best car in the
world’.
Rolls and Royce would doubtless be astonished at the cars
produced under their names in 2019. The century (and more)
that has elapsed since their first 10hp machine made its
debut at the Paris Salon has seen materials, technology and
manufacturing methods utterly transformed. Yet in several key
areas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars retains unbroken links to those
pioneering days; and in its approach, instincts and values, it
would be immediately – and pleasingly – recognisable to its
founding fathers.
A return to coachbuilding
The lines and styling of the first Rolls-Royce cars are clearly
influenced by the horse-drawn carriages they replaced. This
is no coincidence, since they were handcrafted by the same
master coachbuilders, who effortlessly transferred their skills
and artistry from the outgoing tradition to the new technology.
Coachbuilding at Rolls-Royce ended in the 1960s, but in 2017,
the craft made a triumphant return in the form of ‘Sweptail’ – a
fully bespoke, coachbuilt commission for a customer seeking
‘the ultimate grand tourer’.
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‘Sweptail’ is a truly unique creation, with a never-to-be-
repeated silhouette and individual interior touches, including
a champagne cooler specifically proportioned to hold only a
bottle of Dom Pérignon ’73. Nevertheless, with its Pantheon
grille and rear overhang, it remains absolutely true to the Rolls-
Royce brand and design language.
The Architecture of Luxury
Henry Royce began his automotive career by building an
improved version of the 10hp two-cylinder French Decauville –
the first car he bought when his eponymous electrical company
became successful. When Rolls saw and drove Royce’s machine,
he knew he had found a British car that could outshine the
continental competition and agreed to sell all the cars Royce
could build. In its first two years, Rolls-Royce produced a mere
10 cars: in 2018, it delivered 4,107 – the highest annual total in
its history – to customers in over 50 countries.
To satisfy global demand for its products, the company
has developed a common platform that underpins all new
models. Known as The Architecture of Luxury, it comprises
an aluminium spaceframe that can be scaled to fit different
applications by using different-sized floor pans and cross
members: new production processes ensure stiffness and
integrity, as well as delivering the company’s signature Magic
Carpet Ride.
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