Martin Scorsese to Produce Film On Story Of Rolls-Royce

Award-winning director Martin Scorsese is known for blockbuster films; and especially those with historical flair and a strong biographical story such as Gangs of New York, and Goodfellas. Variety magazine is now reporting that Scorsese is on board to produce Silver Ghost, the story of the two founders behind luxury automotive brand Rolls-Royce, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. The report identified Lord Richard Attenborough (best known as the creator of the dino-doomed Juarassic Park theme park in the movie of the same name) and Anthony Haas as part of the project as well.

“When I read the story of Silver Ghost, I was mesmerized,” Scorsese says, “I immediately thought, ‘This is a picture that has to be made.’ And When I was asked to come aboard as a producer alongside Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas, I didn’t hesitate a moment.”  Set in the early 1900′s, the story itself covers the men’s personal relationship (problems, growth and successes) throughout the development of the iconic brand.

Tags: Movie Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Film

VIDEO: Rolls-Royce Design Chief Explains The Phantom Series II

It’s tough to improve on perfection – but Rolls-Royce has done just that.  Giles Taylor, Head of Exterior Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, takes us around the Phantom Series II. The car was launched at the Geneva Motor in March.

Tags: Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rare 1957 Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce “Honeymoon Express” Goes To Auction

The 1957 Silver Cloud I is considered one of the rarest postwar Rolls-Royce vehicles in existence, one of only two of its kind ever built, says RM Auctions, which puts it on the block Saturday in Monaco.

The finned classic was dubbed the “Honeymoon Express” because of its romantic touches. It’s a two-seater, its seats finished in red Connolly leather. There’s a pair of cabinets in the rear where a cocktail shaker and four whiskey tumblers are stashed. There are pull-out ashtrays in each door and another underneath the radio.

Read full article on USA TODAY.

Tags: Antique Cars, Auction, Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Six Senses Concept Revealed At Beijing Auto Show

Rolls-Royce rolled out their super-luxurious ‘Six Senses’ concept – a vehicle designed to truly go beyond luxury and ‘ignite the senses’ – at the 2012 Beijing Aut Show.  Beyond sight, sound, smell, touch and taste – the designers at Rolls-Royce envision the ‘sixth sense’ to be something of an ‘aura’ or ‘glow’ that emanates from the exclusive pearl Carrara white coloration in a mystical and spiritual way. Everything in the Rolls-Royce Ghost “Six Senses” is the ultimate in hand-crafted luxury – from the glove-soft leather and exquisite materials in the cabin to the concept audio system.  Even the trunk is lined in lambswool to softly coddle your custom luggage. 

Tags: Beijing Auto Show, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Six Senses Concept

The Future of Rolls-Royce: Questions Answered

This week, Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, CEO of Rolls-Royce offered some insight, albeit cautious – with Automobile Magazine’s Georg Kacher.  Several burning questions were asked, and answered – among them: will there be a model below the Ghost for 2013 and beyond?

According to Mueller-Oetvoes, “We won’t do a car below the Ghost. Such a model would overstress the potential of our factory and of our dealer body, and it would also extend the brand in a direction we are not ready for. Midterm, 10,000 units is the absolute ceiling for Rolls-Royce. I would also say no to an ultra-high-end microcar. It makes no sense to downsize luxury — unless you have a very good reason.”

Moving into the ideas of other questions Rolls-Royce fans have pondered – lead to the discussion of a possible crossover. “The rise of the electric vehicle may provide such a reason. If urban electromobility becomes a must-have in future megacities, it could be logical to offer a Rolls-Royce that meets these needs. After all, the BMW i division will soon have the answers such scenarios require” said Mueller-Oetvoes, “A crossover? Our future is on-road, not off-road. And while we are at it, the product planners in Goodwood are not working on a diesel-engine Rolls-Royce, either.”

So what can we expect from Rolls-Royce next year? The article indicates that the Rolls-Royce Phantom will be revised, and that in 2012, we will likely see a revised version of the Ghost as well. Further down the road, in 2014 – the hybrid market will be glad to see a plug-in Rolls-Royce.

Read the full article from Automobile Magazine here.

Tags: Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce From Movie Arthur Going On Auction Block in March

It shared the screen with Dudley Moore and Liza Minelli in the original 1981 hit movie “Arthur” and remains an iconic symbol of wealth and crazy nights out on the streets of New York City.

Of course, we’re referring to the 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith touring limousine which is going on the auction block next month and is expected to fetch $100,000-$125,000.

The 1933 Cadillac seen in the movie Seabiscuit will also cross the auction block.

Tags: Celebrity Vehicles, Movie Vehicles, Rolls-Royce

100 Year-Old Rolls-Royce A True “Ghost”

The centurion Rolls-Royce was made-to-order for Lord Pirrie, chairman of Harland and Wolff chairman and one of many behind the construction of the Titanic as well as it’s sister ships in 1911 and was named after the doomed RMS Titanic.

“I’m sure visitors to the show will find themselves transported back in time by the experience. You can just imagine Lord Pirrie driving to the shipyard in this Rolls Royce to check on the progress of the great ship.”

Tags: Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Vintage Rolls-Royce

The Muppets Hip Ride: Kermit’s 1984 Rolls-Royce

The Muppets movie opened Thanksgiving Day  – with a hip, and fresh twist on a favorite family group of characters.  The Muppets characters – including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and tons of others – were hugely popular in the 1980′s and even had their own variety show which starred various celebrities of the day in skits along side the full-of-personality Muppet characters.

One of the items that help add to the nostalgia of the movie, is a vintage 1984 Rolls-Royce.

Bobin needed four of the cars for the film. “And they had to be brown,” he says. “In those days all those posh comfort cars were brown. I don’t know why.” One from the Spur fleet was wrecked for a scene when the Muppets travel — by car — to Europe and the classic car emerges from the sea on a European beach. “So we had to gut it completely and then sink it and then bring it out of the sea,” says Bobin. “So it was pretty amazing.”

The Muppets movie director James Bobin says the car really supported the effort to pull the 80′s into the present to remind us of the Muppet’s huge popularity and peak in the 1980′s. “It’s like he was once very rich and he had some money because of the success of the show. But he hasn’t had any money ever since,” says Bobin. “The things you have at the time when you are wealthy sort of point to the peak of your wealth.”

For the trailer and more information on the Muppets movie, click here.

Tags: Rolls, Rolls-Royce, The Muppets, Vintage Rolls-Royce

World Famous Photographer Rankin Inspired By Rolls-Royce

It’s not just a hood ornament. It’s the Spirit of Ecstasy, Rolls-Royce’s signature marque, and perhaps the world’s most elegant and well-known automotive icon. And this year, she is celebrating her 100th birthday. Rolls-Royce enlisted the artistic photographic style of world-famous photographer/artist Rankin to capture the centenarian with style.

Rankin has shot famous figures from all over the world, and has produced powerful and iconic images for over twenty years. He is most known for unique and creative portraits and ability to capture character of his famous (and even the non-famous) subjects. He’s shot celebs and pop icons such as Madonna, high-fashion models including Kate Moss and royalty and politicians – and has been featured in nearly every major magazine. Beyond high-fashion, he’s also well-known for capturing ordinary people, and showcasing his subjects (and subject matter) that is has meaning – and sometimes controversy – for him.

Rolls-Royce‘s Spirit of Ecstasy will be featured at his newest exhibit, showcased at the Rankin Gallery in Los Angeles. On display from November 16 to the 23, Rankin’s interpretation and tribute to the legendary lady are quite beautiful – modern and graceful. The collection utilizes various materials, including flowing fabrics and natural elements such as sand, or even negative space – as well as various models (mixing age and ethnicity) – to really show several variations of the flying lady.

Tags: Rankin, Rolls-Royce, Spirit of Ecstasy