Rolls Royce

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS MAKING A LEGEND

Simon Van Booy & Harvey Briggs

Special photography by Mariona Vilarรณs

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS MAKING A LEGEND The Ordinary Men and Women Who Make the World’s Most Extraordinary Motor Cars

Simon Van Booy & Harvey Briggs

Special photography by Mariona Vilarós

ACC ART BOOKS

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS MAKING A LEGEND The Ordinary Men and Women Who Make the World’s Most Extraordinary Motor Cars

Simon Van Booy & Harvey Briggs

Special photography by Mariona Vilarós

ACC ART BOOKS

preceding pages Design details aren’t limited to Rolls-Royce vehicles; even the trees at Goodwood are bespoke. above left The ultimate in luxury and personalisation, Phantom’s

Over a century after Henry Royce and Charles Rolls put their first car into production,

equipped with the latest technology – deployed in the service of craftsmanship, not as a

Rolls-Royce continues to represent the pinnacle of luxury around the world. It is this

substitute. Those privileged enough to visit Goodwood are often surprised by the meticu-

passion for continually improving the design, quality and experience of each auto-

lous cleanliness, the natural light and the preternatural calm of the vehicle assembly plant.

Cullinan couples all the

mobile that allows Rolls-Royce to honour its past without being shackled by it. The

executive suite offers

devotion to car-making revealed in these pages also anchors every member of the

Cars are built at a rate of around twenty per day, but not with the frenetic energy of other

customisation, comfort,

team to what they claim is more vocation than mere employment. The mark of an artist

manufacturing facilities. There is focus, determination and camaraderie here – and most

is often glimpsed in how true satisfaction is attained from perfecting a process, rather

of the work is completed by hand, with the assistance of technology. In fact, the only two

above right

than celebrating a result – which in this case is arguably the most luxurious vehicle

robots in the facility do the sole job they can do better than humans at this scale, which

Ghost owners enjoy

in the world. This is a book about those artists, who not only hand-build cars, but are

is to paint the cars. But, as you’ll learn, the painting process is exceptional too.

and quiet.

unparalleled luxury at the wheel.

above left bespoke opportunities of other Rolls-Royce models with the ability to take them anywhere. above right There’s no denying Wraith’s sporting intentions thanks to its driver-focused interior.

responsible for the safeguarding and transference – from one generation to the next – of crafts that embody the engineering wisdom of our species; a learned intuition that

It all starts, then, with the hands that sketch the cars, with the team of designers who col-

following pages

cannot be transferred to automation.

laborate with customers to create bespoke versions of Wraith, Dawn, Ghost, Phantom,

Introduced in 2009, Ghost

and the company’s new sport utility vehicle, Cullinan. Alongside, there are the craftsmen

is the most popular vehicle

Contemplating the Home of Rolls-Royce, one probably has a picture in mind of a quaint

in colour, wood and leather, who collaborate to realise the client’s vision – a process that

British enterprise, with a small team of seasoned craftspeople in Fair Isle sweaters or

takes months, thanks to the meticulous creation of samples of paint, leather and special

headscarves, balancing mugs of sugary tea. In actuality, it is a thoroughly modern facility

marquetry, and contemporary finishes such as carbon fibre..

18 | making a legend

introduction | 19

in the history of Rolls-Royce.

preceding pages Design details aren’t limited to Rolls-Royce vehicles; even the trees at Goodwood are bespoke. above left The ultimate in luxury and personalisation, Phantom’s

Over a century after Henry Royce and Charles Rolls put their first car into production,

equipped with the latest technology – deployed in the service of craftsmanship, not as a

Rolls-Royce continues to represent the pinnacle of luxury around the world. It is this

substitute. Those privileged enough to visit Goodwood are often surprised by the meticu-

passion for continually improving the design, quality and experience of each auto-

lous cleanliness, the natural light and the preternatural calm of the vehicle assembly plant.

Cullinan couples all the

mobile that allows Rolls-Royce to honour its past without being shackled by it. The

executive suite offers

devotion to car-making revealed in these pages also anchors every member of the

Cars are built at a rate of around twenty per day, but not with the frenetic energy of other

customisation, comfort,

team to what they claim is more vocation than mere employment. The mark of an artist

manufacturing facilities. There is focus, determination and camaraderie here – and most

is often glimpsed in how true satisfaction is attained from perfecting a process, rather

of the work is completed by hand, with the assistance of technology. In fact, the only two

above right

than celebrating a result – which in this case is arguably the most luxurious vehicle

robots in the facility do the sole job they can do better than humans at this scale, which

Ghost owners enjoy

in the world. This is a book about those artists, who not only hand-build cars, but are

is to paint the cars. But, as you’ll learn, the painting process is exceptional too.

and quiet.

unparalleled luxury at the wheel.

above left bespoke opportunities of other Rolls-Royce models with the ability to take them anywhere. above right There’s no denying Wraith’s sporting intentions thanks to its driver-focused interior.

responsible for the safeguarding and transference – from one generation to the next – of crafts that embody the engineering wisdom of our species; a learned intuition that

It all starts, then, with the hands that sketch the cars, with the team of designers who col-

following pages

cannot be transferred to automation.

laborate with customers to create bespoke versions of Wraith, Dawn, Ghost, Phantom,

Introduced in 2009, Ghost

and the company’s new sport utility vehicle, Cullinan. Alongside, there are the craftsmen

is the most popular vehicle

Contemplating the Home of Rolls-Royce, one probably has a picture in mind of a quaint

in colour, wood and leather, who collaborate to realise the client’s vision – a process that

British enterprise, with a small team of seasoned craftspeople in Fair Isle sweaters or

takes months, thanks to the meticulous creation of samples of paint, leather and special

headscarves, balancing mugs of sugary tea. In actuality, it is a thoroughly modern facility

marquetry, and contemporary finishes such as carbon fibre..

18 | making a legend

introduction | 19

in the history of Rolls-Royce.

Matthew and the design team stress the importance of taking time to dream, and ask themselves questions such as, “What is the ultimate expression of Wraith?�

this page top, centre, bottom H.J. Mulliner was one of a handful of coach-builders with the expertise to build bodies for Rolls-Royce. Their Wraith was available in several body styles. Introduced in 1938, Wraith returned after the Second World War as Silver Wraith and remained in production until the late 1950s. opposite Inspired by Rolls-Royce aviation heritage, Wraith Eagle VIII sports a two-tone paint scheme, Selby Grey over Gunmetal separated by a brass coachline. The wheels are polished with a translucent shadow finish. following pages This Wraith introduced the shooting star headliner to the world. 1,340 fibre optic lights create a glittering night sky with eight shooting stars that streak randomly across the headliner.

50 | the drawing board

design and customisation | 51

Matthew and the design team stress the importance of taking time to dream, and ask themselves questions such as, “What is the ultimate expression of Wraith?�

this page top, centre, bottom H.J. Mulliner was one of a handful of coach-builders with the expertise to build bodies for Rolls-Royce. Their Wraith was available in several body styles. Introduced in 1938, Wraith returned after the Second World War as Silver Wraith and remained in production until the late 1950s. opposite Inspired by Rolls-Royce aviation heritage, Wraith Eagle VIII sports a two-tone paint scheme, Selby Grey over Gunmetal separated by a brass coachline. The wheels are polished with a translucent shadow finish. following pages This Wraith introduced the shooting star headliner to the world. 1,340 fibre optic lights create a glittering night sky with eight shooting stars that streak randomly across the headliner.

50 | the drawing board

design and customisation | 51

top Wet sanding produces less dust and creates a smoother surface than dry sanding. above The entire body is sanded

After the car is painted and finished, it undergoes twelve hours of polishing and sand-

with ultra-fine sandpaper, after

ing. Tobias explains that while paint has a viscosity that allows it to stay on the textured

a clear coat is applied, creating

surface of the car, that viscosity creates subtle waves in the paint surface. Those waves

a surface with depth and clarity.

make paint look dull if they’re not smoothed out. This is achieved by sanding multiple

right

times. “First we use a 1500 grit paper, then 3000, then 6000.” says Tobias. To give some

Meticulous attention to detail

perspective, sandpaper typically used in the home is often between 100 and 200 grit.

ensures the colour match is perfect between all surfaces and panels.

“Finally, the car is polished with lambswool, as this texture is aggressive enough to provide a shine – but not so rough that it will scratch the surface.” Sami and Tobias

opposite With paint and polish complete, it’s time to move to assembly.

admit that it’s always poignant when the time comes to send their bespoke masterpieces onto the next phase.

72 | the perfect coat

paint and finish | 73

top Wet sanding produces less dust and creates a smoother surface than dry sanding. above The entire body is sanded

After the car is painted and finished, it undergoes twelve hours of polishing and sand-

with ultra-fine sandpaper, after

ing. Tobias explains that while paint has a viscosity that allows it to stay on the textured

a clear coat is applied, creating

surface of the car, that viscosity creates subtle waves in the paint surface. Those waves

a surface with depth and clarity.

make paint look dull if they’re not smoothed out. This is achieved by sanding multiple

right

times. “First we use a 1500 grit paper, then 3000, then 6000.” says Tobias. To give some

Meticulous attention to detail

perspective, sandpaper typically used in the home is often between 100 and 200 grit.

ensures the colour match is perfect between all surfaces and panels.

“Finally, the car is polished with lambswool, as this texture is aggressive enough to provide a shine – but not so rough that it will scratch the surface.” Sami and Tobias

opposite With paint and polish complete, it’s time to move to assembly.

admit that it’s always poignant when the time comes to send their bespoke masterpieces onto the next phase.

72 | the perfect coat

paint and finish | 73

The Rose Phantom Serenity

106 | magic carpet ride

assembling the chassis | 107

The Rose Phantom Serenity

106 | magic carpet ride

assembling the chassis | 107

ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS: MAKING A LEGEND is your invitation to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the finest motor cars in the world.

Step inside a world of engineering excellence with this collection dedicated to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Detailed descriptions and photographs of the manufacturing process, from initial sketches to final polishing, are set against a backdrop of heritage and prestige. An exclusive tour of the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing is accompanied by archival sketches and a remarkable gallery of Rolls-Royce cars, from early vehicles to the latest model.

Strive for perfection in everything you do.

Sir Henry Royce

ISBN: 978 178884 100 9

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£XX.00/$XX.00 £50.00/$65.00

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