The Car Spy

Charles Stewart Rolls was also a bit taken with aircraft it seems. Long before his cars were to become world famous he was hanging out with the Wright brothers and it turns out that he was only the second person in Britain to hold a pilot’s licence.

Rolls continued his association with the fast-developing aviation industry and his engines were to power the Schneider Trophy winning Supermarine S6B in the early 1930’s which was powered by his R Type engine. The Supermarine was the forerunner of the Spitfire.

To celebrate this historic association Rolls Royce has launched a limited edition of the Phantom Coupe by producing 35 Aviator Collection models.

Each one will be finished in Aviator Grey with contrasting matt bonnet, window and grille surround while the interior has been given many design references to aviation cockpit design. There is Mahogany, Sapele wood and metal a-plenty plus a Thommen aviation-grade clock complemented by matt black dials for the speedo, power reserve and fuel gauges.

The transmission tunnel is finished in anodised aluminium with design features that replicate the shapes associated with the S6B fuselage.

To finish off the bespoke look of the interior there is a chrome plaque on the centre console with an inscription of Charles Rolls’s signature.

Sadly Charles Rolls was also the first British person to be killed in an aircraft accident and he was only 32 years old!

No pricing details have been announced as yet by the company but the car has made its first public showing at Pebble Beach in California.

For further information of the Aviator Collection Phantom or any other Rolls Royce model give The Car Spy a call on 01732 760699 or email sales@thecarspy.net

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