Rolls-Royce started as a car and aero-engine company created by CS Rolls and Henry Royce in 1907 and was known as Rolls-Royce Limited. The Car division of the company separated form the whole company in 1973 and just focused on producing cars. After 1998 BMW bought out Rolls-Royce and used it to produce the Rolls-Royce car, but Rolls-Royce no longer has the rights to their name.
The Original Luxury Car
In the mid 1960s Rolls-Royce started to produce the Silver Shadow, their first luxury car. With advanced high pressure hydraulic systems and self-leveling suspension the Silver Shadow had a really high ride quality, which made the car popular. The Silver Shadow and its follow up, the Silver Shadow II, were in production until 1980. In 1977 a Bentley version of the Silver Shadow was released and was known as the Bentley T. The company followed up the Silver Shadow with the Phantom VI, Corniche, Camarague and Pininfarina models. In 1980 the company released the Silver Spirit. The Spirit was a longer version of the Silver Shadow and more luxurious.
BMW Takes Over
BMW acquired the company in 1998 and it kept its name, Rolls-Royce motors, but it was now a subsidiary of BMW. Due to a dispute with Volkswagon, who also wanted to acquire Rolls-Royce and was given exclusive image rights by Rolls-Royce plc, which was the aero engine making portion of the company. BMW and Rolls-Royce motors had to cease from making a “Rolls-Royce” car until 2003. Once 2003 rolled around they released the Phantom. The car was incredibly luxurious and featured these unique features:
- A power reserve dial telling the driver how much engine power was available
- Rear hinged doors
- Rear doors had pop out umbrellas
- The Spirit of Ecstasy ornament had an electronic retraction function to help prevent theft
Only 10,000 Phantoms will ever be created and they retail at $300,000 in the United States. In the future Rolls-Royce and BMW will be creating a new Phantom, the Phantom Drophead Coupe. As well has created a new four door sedan that will be luxurious but cheaper then the current Phantom.
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