Rolls-Royce and the Spirit of Ecstasy

The muse, the dream…

The epitome of luxury cars, Rolls-Royce is an icon across the world. Chasing perfection since 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce were guided and inspired by their muse, Eleanor Thornton, who would one day be immortalised in their symbol – The Spirit of Ecstasy.

Breaking boundaries, breaking records

Hers was the voice that encouraged Rolls and Royce’s dream of ‘flight on land’ and told them it was possible. As they raced towards the future, the pair broke boundaries, swapping quiet reading rooms for the thrill of the racetrack. Their desire to fuse speed and luxury led to the development of the Silver Ghost, which, within a year, was hailed as ‘the best car in the world’.

The first ‘R’ aero engine

Delving into aero engines for aircrafts during the First World War, the company responded to the nation’s need, developing the Eagle – which provided half the total airborne horsepower in the war. The Eagle also powered the first transatlantic flight and first flight from England to Australia.

The Phantom

Post war, a succession of models rolled off the production line. The height of luxury and sophistication, The Phantom III was the first Rolls-Royce to be built with a V12 engine.

Royal fans

The 1950s heralded the start of a long relationship with the royal family. The first Phantom IV was delivered to Her Royal Highness Princes Elizabeth in 1950, designed exclusively for royalty and heads of state. One of the rarest Rolls-Royce cars in existence, there were only ever 18 built. To this day, Rolls-Royce, led by The Spirit of Ecstasy, is the brand of choice for the royals, a beacon of British quality and class.

Actors, rock stars, celebrities…

So many figures have embraced the Rolls Royce spirit; the brand sitting at the top of the list for desirable luxury cars. So iconic is the brand, that famous names across the decades and genres crave a little slice of its elegance and grace.

Gwen Stefani owns a Rolls-Royce Wraith, Simon Cowell owns a Silver Cloud III, Sean Combs owns a Rolls-Royce Ghost, 50 Cent owns a Phantom and David Beckham has owned a Phantom, and now drives a Ghost. Legendary hair stylist Vidal Sassoon owned a Silver Shadow, John Lennon and Yoko Ono drove a white Phantom V and even Elvis owned a Phantom.

The Spirit of Ecstasy

Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Ecstasy lives on. As she led then, she leads now, leaning into the future, reaching just beyond her grasp, the symbol of dreams and the soul within the machine.