Spirit of Luxury

Across the globe, men and women dream of driving, or better yet being driven, in complete luxury. The Rolls-Royce is a clear contender when it comes to choosing a luxury automobile, and its models have always graced the roads with fine curves, elegant wheels and stunning interiors. Since early production began in 1903, the company has defined the high-end automotive class. But what stands out the most amongst the Rolls-Royce legend is the famous lady who sits on the front of the hood: The free-flowing, almost angelic image of the Flying Lady.

Charles Sykes unveiled what would become one of the most revered symbols of luxury, recognized worldwide, in February 1911, right around Valentine’s Day — the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy, a stunning silver muse placed atop the hood of one of the most prestigious cars ever to grace the pavement. Now, a century later, Rolls-Royce is making sure everyone remembers her.

As the story goes, Sykes selected model Eleanor Velasco Thornton to be the woman on whom he modelled the first Rolls ornament, The Whisper. At the time Thornton was entwined in a love affair with Lord John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, who had helped commission Charles Sykes for the job of designing the emblem. Montagu, a pioneer of the early automotive industry, and Thornton, who was Montagu’s acting secretary at the time, were forced to hide their affair due to her poor economic status.

Sykes’ original design, The Whisper, displayed the figure with flowing garments and her finger pressed against her lips to secretly symbolize the love affair. Shortly after, Claude Johnson, managing director at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commissioned Sykes to design a figure more appropriate for the brand than the “personal mascots” many owners were affixing to their cars. His directions were to create an image that would convey the spirit of Rolls-Royce.

Sykes once again selected Miss Thornton to be his muse. He showcased his creation in early February 1911, calling it “a graceful little goddess, the Spirit of Ecstasy, who has selected road travel as her supreme delight and alighted on the prow of a Rolls-Royce motor car to revel in the freshness of the air and the musical sound of her fluttering draperies.”

The Spirit of Ecstasy’s centenary celebration is being marked this year, inspiring a 100-car parade through the streets of London in February. It made its way to the Great Conservatory at Syon House in West London, after winding its way through famous London landmarks such as Big Ben and Parliament Square. Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Muller Otvos said, “She is recognized the world over as a symbol for the pinnacle of automotive aspiration and is an inspiration to those of us working for the company today. The centenary drive was a fitting tribute to such an important figure for our company.” The parade consisted of famous Rolls models accompanied by some lucky drivers. To commemorate the 100-year anniversary, Rolls-Royce is engraving the words “Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary — 2011” into the figure on select 2011 Ghost and Phantom models produced at the famous Goodwood factory in West Sussex.

Rolls-Royce continues to roll on with its famous Ghost and Phantom models. The present-day Rolls-Royce Phantom (Standard, Coupé and Drophead Coupé) is the epitome of the modern-day luxury car. It is supported by a unique frame, body, interior and classic Rolls-Royce curves all while having final assembly details completed to each customers’ individual specs. Included in the Phantom is a 6.75-litre, 48-valve, V12 engine that pumps out 453 horsepower. The Ghost model is named after an early Rolls automobile named the Silver Ghost, and is a luxury saloon (sedan). It also comes complete in a smaller model that features a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine.

This new Ghost series automobile will carry over some of the same famous features of the classic Phantom. These include the “power reserve gauge” for automotive usage management, and the intriguing coach-style doors with built-in umbrella. What the new series will offer is a car more suited for driving then being driven in.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars plans on unveiling new events for their centenary celebration of the beloved Spirit of Ecstasy, along with displaying their new models at auto shows across North America. What we know for sure is Rolls will bring its superior touch of class to upcoming festivities, and will continue to drive us in elegance beyond its next 100-year anniversary. •

 

ROLLS-ROYCEHistory in the making

A list of the cars produced by Rolls-Royce that have been available over the years.

• 1904–06 10 hp
• 1905–05 15 hp
• 1905–08 20 hp
• 1905–06 30 hp
• 1905–06 V-8
• 1906–25 40/50 Silver Ghost
• 1922–29 Twenty
• 1925–29 40/50 Phantom
• 1929–36 20/25
• 1929–35 Phantom II
• 1936–38 25/30
• 1936–39 Phantom III
• 1938–39 Wraith
• 1946–59 Silver Wraith
• 1949–55 Silver Dawn
• 1950–56 Phantom IV
• 1955–66 Silver Cloud
• 1959–68 Phantom V
• 1965–80 Silver Shadow
• 1968–91 Phantom VI
• 1971–96 Corniche I–V
• 1975–86 Camargue
• 1980–98 Silver Spirit
• 2003– Phantom
• 2007– Phantom Drophead Coupé
• 2008– Phantom Coupé
• 2010– Ghost

PHOTO CREDITS
Photos courtesy Rolls-Royce Motor Cars