6 Rolls Royce facts you didn't know.
Talk about making eye-popping expensive land yachts for the planet’s elite, and only one name crosses the mind: Rolls Royce.
As a synonym for opulence and style in the world of automobiles, this British automaker has been around for what appears like forever and has designed some of the most prominent cars the world has ever gazed at.
Furthermore, everyone seems to know the name Rolls Royce, but how much do people truly know about it? Below are 6 of the most interesting facts about Rolls Royce from the company’s 117 years of rich history.
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THE SCANDALOUS SPUR THAT CLOAKS THE SPIRIT OF ECSTASY
The quintessential hood embellishment the Rolls Royce is so well-known for is called The Spirit of Ecstasy, which made its first appearance back in 1911. Commissioned by John Edward Scott-Montagu, the second Baron Montagu of Beaulieu and a promoter of motoring, earlier variants of the ornament have her finger pressed against her lips.
The scandalous part? The sculpture is based on the likeness of his secretary-turned-mistress, Eleanor Thornton, with whom John had an affair that lasted over 10 years!
Charles Sykes, the artist that sculpted the statuette adopted and redefined its design for Rolls Royce, and it’s been in use ever since!
But wait, that’s not all! In 2002, when BMW acquired Rolls Royce from Volkswagen, the rights to The Spirit of Ecstasy emblem were still held by Volkswagen. BMW had to pay an additional $40 million to secure the prized ownership of the mascot!