Rolls-Royce Celebrates 110 Year Anniversary

The celebrations were in full swing over the weekend to mark a glorious 110 years since the founders of Rolls-Royce met for the very first time.

Enthusiasts gathered in both Manchester and Goodwood on Sunday 4 May to commemorate the beginning of the special relationship that flourished to become one of the greatest success stories in British automotive history.

A 2014 Rolls-Royce Phantom joined more than 30 heritage Rolls-Royce cars on display outside the Midland Hotel in Manchester, while three contemporary models - Wraith, Phantom Coupé and Ghost - showcased at the ‘Supercar Sunday’ Breakfast Club meeting at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

The Midland is the very venue where car salesman Charles Rolls and engineer Henry Royce agreed to go into business together.

Mr Rolls is believed to have been hugely impressed by a car that Mr Royce had built at a factory in nearby Cook Street.

The dynamic duo went for a spin around Manchester in the two cylinder ten horsepower motor - and the rest, as they say, is history!

Mr Royce first decided to create his own car after becoming disillusioned with what he perceived to be ‘unreliable’ motors from across the Channel in France.

Legend has it that drove his classic creation from the factory to his home in Knutsford, Cheshire, around 15 miles away, on 1 April 1904 without a single hitch.

All these many decades later, cars including a prestige model that belonged to the late Queen Juliana of the Netherlands had pulled up outside the grand hotel.

Meanwhile over 1,000 cars were on display at the Goodwood Motor Circuit - which is a short distance from Rolls-Royce’s Head Office and Manufacturing Plant - making it the largest event in the history of the Breakfast Club.

More than 14,000 visitors joined in the celebrations here - where the Wraith, Phantom Coupé and Ghost undoubtedly stole the show.

Rolls-Royce owners, or owners of any classic motors, should check out Footman James for their classic car insurance.