History of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars / Automobiles

• 8.7.5. Rolls-Royce

• Rolls-Royce Limited was formed in 1906 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce.

• In 1904 an agreement had been reached that C S Rolls & Co would sell only cars manufactured by Royce Limited and that the cars would bear the name “Rolls-Royce”.

• Between 1904 and the start of World War 2 in 1939 about 22,200 cars were produced.

• In 1907 the company launched the six-cylinder Silver Ghost, selling 6,173 by 1925.
  
  

• Between 1906 and 1972 the company produced some 20 different models, including the Phantom, Wraith, Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn and Silver Shadow range.
  
  

• In 1971 Rolls-Royce Limited was nationalised by the British Government when it encountered serious financial problems.

• Two years later, in 1973, it was de-nationalised with the formation of  “Rolls-Royce Motors” and “Rolls-Royce Limited” (aero-engine business).

• In 1975 “Rolls-Royce Motors” launched the Camargue, production of which ceased in 1986.

• “Rolls Royce Motors” was acquired by the British company Vickers in 1980 and then, in 1998, by Volkswagen.

• The rights to the Rolls-Royce name and logo were, however, licensed to BMW and “Rolls-Royce Motors” were only allowed to use the name and logo until 1 January 2003. 

• In 2002 the Volkswagen owned “Rolls-Royce Motors” ceased production of their Corniche model.

• In January 2003 BMW’s subsidiary “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars” launched their Phantom model.