Rolls-Royce Orange County HQ

HISTORY OF ROLLS-ROYCE — 1960-1980s
power windows, radio aerial, gear
range selection and fuel filler. The
first Rolls-Royce with monocoque
construction it was also the first
with all-independent self-levelling
suspension and power-operated
disc brakes. A coachbuilt 2-door
saloon followed in 1966 and a
convertible in 1967.
In 1971, Rolls-Royce Ltd. went
bankrupt and the Motor Car Division
reformed into Rolls-Royce
Motors. In the upheaval, the
rights to the Rolls-Royce trademark
stayed with the company
which would ultimately become
Rolls-Royce plc.
The Silver Spirit launched in 1980,
setting the Rolls-Royce standard
for the decade. In the same year,
British defense company Vickers
bought Rolls-Royce Motors
Limited, producing Rolls-Royce
alongside Bentley motor cars.
In 1998, Rolls-Royce introduced
the Silver Seraph, the first new
model in 18 years. This vehicle was
fitted with a BMW-derived 5.4-litre
V12 motor and a five-speed automatic
gearbox.
BMW would later purchase
acquire the Rolls-Royce name;
Volkswagen would acquire Bentley
and keep making them at Crewe;
BMW would supply engines for
the Rolls-Royce motor, which
were built at the Crewe factory
until 2002. Simultaneously, the
Rolls-Royce motor cars design
team worked in Goodwood
factory to carry on the Rolls-Royce
name and legacy.
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