11 Things You May Not Know About Rolls-Royce Exotic Cars

 Posted on November 22, 2024 in Exotic Car Maintenance

Rolls-Royce is a British luxury auto manufacturer that has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG since 2003. Its headquarters are located on 42 acres in West Sussex, England.  Rolls-Royce vehicles are hand-made to order, accounting for some of the mystique behind these vehicles. It is one of the most recognized icons in the entire world, often being used as a superlative to describe something outstanding.

Each car can take up to six months to make, with up to 60 technicians and engineers working on it. While the U.S. is the largest Rolls-Royce market, Canada is close behind. Some 65 percent of all the Rolls-Royce cars ever built remain in service today. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, who has more than 500 cars, is believed to own the largest private collection of Rolls-Royce vehicles.

The Rolls-Royce models include the Phantom, the Ghost, the Dawn convertible, the Wraith coupe, the Cullinan SUV, and an all-electric model, the 2023 Spectre. If you decide a Rolls-Royce is the exotic car for you, having a Forest Hill, MD expert vehicle technician from Rosso Service to keep your car in tip-top condition can be extremely beneficial. If you are purchasing a pre-owned Rolls-Royce, a pre-purchase inspection is important as well. Below are some additional facts you may not know about Rolls-Royce.

1. During World War II, Rolls-Royce manufactured a .50-caliber machine gun. Unfortunately, the gun generated too much muzzle flash and was known to jam, so it never replaced the Browning M2.
2. In 1935, a Rolls-Royce engine reached speeds above 300 mph on the Salt Flats in Utah, long before the Bugatti. The 2,300 hp, supercharged V-12 engine was well known for its exceptional performance.
3. In 1950, the British Royal family traded in their Daimler vehicles for Rolls-Royce. Queen Elizabeth was the first royal to have a Phantom IV. Only 18 of the vehicles were manufactured, and they were reserved for British royals and heads of state.   
4. Those who own a Rolls-Royce (and have a chauffeur) can send the chauffeur to the company’s White Glove training program, where they learn how to never leave a fingerprint when opening a door – and other important things.   
5. The leather interior of a Rolls-Royce is only made from bulls, never from cows. The theory behind this is that cows could have pregnancy stretch marks; the bulls used for the leather interiors come only from higher altitudes, so there are fewer bite marks from insects.  
6. For the past 17 years, a single man has been painting the pinstripes on each Rolls-Royce by hand. It is his only job, and he is rewarded with a six-figure salary.
7. The Falcon Wraith has more than 250,000 stitches in its embroidered headliner of a peregrine falcon.
8. The Phantom VII comes with full-sized, Teflon-coated umbrellas stored in their own holders built into the rear doors.
9. The Rolls-Royce Ghost has an impressive 220 pounds of sound-deadening material, making the interior almost silent – no road noise!
10.  Although the Rolls-Royce is an exceptional vehicle, the company has had several recalls over the years. In 2013, 27 Phantoms were recalled because they were missing the anti-mis-fueling device, resulting in a fire hazard.
11. The U.S. Department of Defense has military contracts with Rolls-Royce for airplane engines and engine parts.

Contact a Washington D.C. Exotic Car Professional

If you own a Rolls-Royce or are considering buying one, having a Baltimore, MD exotic car maintenance and repair professional from Rosso Service can be invaluable. You will benefit from our highly trained, factory-certified professionals. We offer tours of our facility and a 24-hour drop-off. Our technicians are specially trained and factory-certified, and we employ two Ferrari Master Technicians. Call 410-638-2886 to speak to a knowledgeable, experienced professional.