Last Ever Rolls-Royce 'Rolls' Off The Production Line At Crewe

Published: 29th August 2002

Crewe, 30^th August 2002.The last ever Crewe built Rolls-Royce has now rolled off the production line at the Crewe factory which has been the home of Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars since 1946. Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars has confirmed that the last ever Crewe built Rolls-Royce motor car will remain the property of the Crewe factory.

The unique two-door, Silver Storm coloured convertible, Rolls-Royce Corniche, has a specially designed interior, based on that of the famous 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, which is owned and will continue to be owned by the Crewe factory. Although no price exists for the last ever Rolls-Royce motor car from Crewe, its value is believed to be above that of the £250,000 list price (UK price which includes VAT) for a last-of-line series Rolls-Royce Corniche model.

Displaying high levels of craftsmanship and attention to detail, for which the Crewe factory is renowned, the interior of the Corniche features specially selected hide, wood veneers and intricate marquetry. The motor car follows a limited run of 45 Rolls-Royce Corniche and 170 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph last-of-line series models produced at Crewe over the last 12 months. All last-of-line series models and the last ever Crewe built Rolls-Royce are badged with the distinctive red interlocked "R-R" of the original Rolls-Royce motor cars.

The Crewe factory, which has been producing world famous Bentleys and Rolls-Royces since 1946 is currently benefiting from £500 million investment in the site and the Bentley marque by its owners Volkswagen AG. The first car ever to come off the line at Crewe was a Bentley and it is therefore fitting that Crewe will continue to be home to Bentley.

The company will become Bentley Motors Limited on September 16^th 2002; and is preparing for the eagerly anticipated launch of its all-new GT coupé design concept at the Paris Motor Show on September 26^th.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars- Milestones

1863		Frederick Henry Royce born
1877		Charles Stewart Rolls born.
1904	.	Henry Royce & Charles Rolls meet on May 4th at The Midland Hotel, Manchester
	.	Early development of Royce motor cars in Manchester
1907		The famous 40/50 hp Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost sets new standards of engineering refinement and coach built elegance
1910		Charles Rolls killed in aircraft accident
1921		Silver Ghost made for US market in Springfield, Mass
1922		Rolls-Royce Twenty introduced
1925		Launch of Rolls-Royce Phantom I with 6 cylinder engine
1929		Phantom II with sophisticated new suspension system
1933		Sir Frederick Henry Royce Dies
1936		Phantom III with V12 engine and 100 mph performance
1938		Rolls-Royce Wraith, last motor car to be made at Derby
1947		First deliveries of Silver Wraith, made in Crewe; last Rolls-Royce motor car to be sold exclusively as chassis & engine, relying on independent coachbuilders to provide bodywork
1949		First Rolls-Royce standard steel saloon - The Silver Dawn
1950		Phantom IV, designed for royalty and heads of state
1955		Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud launched
1959		Silver Cloud II acquires 6,2300cc V8 engine; Rolls-Royce Phantom V introduced
1962		Silver Cloud III
1965		First monocoque Rolls-Royce - The Silver Shadow
1968		Phantom VI
1971		Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible. Formation of a new company: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd
1977		Silver Shadow II introduced
1980		Silver Spirit and long-wheelbase Silver Spur introduced
1993		Silver Spirit III and Silver Spur III
1994		Special edition Rolls-Royce Flying Spur introduced
1996		Long-wheelbase, special Rolls-Royce Park Ward
1998		Introduction of all-new Silver Seraph
1999		Revised Silver Seraph with improved rear passenger accommodation and enhanced features
2000		With an auspicious sense of timing, Rolls-Royce celebrates the new millennium with the incomparable, all-new Corniche convertible
2001		Last-of-line series Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show
2002	.	Last-of-line series Rolls-Royce Corniche announced.
	.	Announcement that last-ever one-off Crewe built Rolls-Royce Corniche, styled to reflect the interior of the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, will roll off the line and will remain the property of the Crewe factory.