Rolls-Royce

In 1884 Frederick Henry Royce started an electrical and mechanical business and made his first car, a Royce, in 1904. He was introduced to Charles Stewart Rolls later that year and the pair agreed to a deal where Royce would manufacture cars to be sold exclusively by Rolls. A clause was added to the contract stipulating that the cars would be called Rolls-Royce, and the famous name was formed!

In 1931 the company acquired rival car maker Bentley who was experiencing financial difficulty as a result of the Great Depression. From then until 2002 Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars were extremely similar - only a few minor differences set them apart.

The Silver Ghost model, illustrated in this stamp, was the car responsible for the company's early reputation.

This stamp was issued in October 1982 as part of the British Motor Cars set.

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