Rolls-Royce: ‘The Best Car in the World’
By Michael Binstock
Acorn Automotive Editor

1929 Rolls-Royce Derby Speedster: Value-we can't afford it!

There’s something special about a Rolls-Royce. Whether it’s the mystique about who’s driving it or who owns it, or the statement that owning a Rolls-Royce makes.

There’s also something special about how a Rolls is built and designed. Did you know that from all Rolls-Royce motorcars ever built, 95 percent are still being driven or are roadworthy? No other manufacturer can claim that!

The "Rolls-Royce: A Century of Elegance" exhibition begins today with a gala opening event at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire in Los Angeles.

The Petersen Automotive Museum, a nonprofit charity and one of the nations largest and preeminent automotive museums, will host its annual Cars and Stars Gala tonight.

Entirely new from the ground up, the Rolls-Royce Phantom captures the essence of the world's most famous car brand, interpreted in an utterly modern way. Influenced by the guiding principles of Sir Henry Royce, "Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it," the design and engineering teams began with a blank sheet of paper. The result is a motor car which incorporates cutting edge engineering technology, unparalleled quality and the finest in hand-built craftsmanship. The Phantom has a light-weight aluminium space frame body, a V12 engine which develops tremendous power and torque and a style, inside and out, which is every inch a Rolls-Royce.

The Gala will offer patrons a sneak preview of the Museum’s stately new exhibit–Rolls-Royce: A Century of Elegance–and will include exciting live and silent auctions to raise funds for the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation and its youth and educational programs. The exhibition will run from June 19, to Jan. 25, 2004.

Dozens of celebrities and notable VIPs from the entertainment and automotive world will be among the guests at the annual gala. This year showcases exquisite examples of significant Rolls-Royces, arguably regarded as "the best cars in the world."

Gala attendees can preview an exceptional collection of these luxury autos that illustrate a diversity of styles and nearly 100 years of fine coach-building skills, including:

A rare and early example, 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost open touring car (this was the first Silver Ghost sold in the U.S.)

A 1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost boat-tail touring car with coachwork by Barker

One of only three 1929 R-R Phantom I Springfield Derby Speedsters ever built

Fred Astaire’s 1927 R-R Phantom I Hooper-bodied Sedanca de Ville

A 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brougham de Ville by Binder of Paris

A 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Ascot Tourer

A 1937 Mulliner-bodied R-R Phantom III once owned by Geoffrey deHavilland and noted British military leader General Bernard Montgomery

A 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V State Landaulette

In addition to the vintage and rare Rolls-Royces, the new 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom, the first Rolls-Royce built under the auspices of new owner BMW, will be on display for attendees to inspect during the special Cars and Stars Gala evening.

A synonym for excellence from its earliest days, Rolls-Royce has represented the pinnacle of hand-wrought quality and performance. Its Silver Ghost, Phantom and Silver Cloud models set the standard for early motoring and were eagerly purchased by royalty across Europe. Kings and dukes, empresses and countesses ordered their coachbuilt versions of these one-off, hand-built luxury automobiles.

In every detail, it was perfection that was the only accepted standard at Rolls-Royce. Opulence with refinement was, and still is, the defining criterion of the marque. From its hand-cut and hand-assembled signature grill, detailed to exacting tolerances and signed by its craftsman, to the iconic "Flying Lady" mascot that first appeared on the hood of the 1911 Silver Ghost built for Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Rolls-Royce spared no expense when it came to quality.

"Our annual Cars and Stars Gala is the single most important event we host to raise funding to continue the growth of the Museum Foundation and its various educational and children’s programs," said Bruce Meyer, co-chairman of Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation.

"We encourage everyone to join us at the Gala, mingle with the celebrities and view these incredible cars–while supporting our educational efforts," said Peter Mullin, co-chairman of Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation.

The public exhibition opens tomorrow.

The Petersen Automotive Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity, is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd. (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $6 per car. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For general Museum information, call (323) 930-CARS, or visit the Museum’s Website address at www.petersen.org