The Spirit of Ecstasy Anniversary

The Spirit of Rolls-Royce…Speed with silence, absence of vibration, the mysterious harnessing of great energy and a beautiful living organism of superb grace. The story of a mascot first fitted to a Rolls-Royce on February 6th 1911, 115 years ago.

Such was the brief given by Claude Johnson the MD of Rolls-Royce motor cars to Charles Sykes in 1910 as he had decided that all Rolls-Royce cars should have a suitable radiator mascot.

Sykes had produced a mascot for Lord Montagu for the bonnet of his 1909 Silver Ghost which featured a figurine in fluttering robes modelled by a lady called Eleanor Thornton to symbolise the secret love affair she had with his Lordship.

Sykes turned to this mascot and modified it to meet Johson’s brief describing the result as “the Spirit of Ecstasy who has selected road travel as her supreme delight”

Charles Rolls had been killed in his aircraft in 1910 but Henry Royce was apparently underwhelmed by the new mascot which he felt impaired the driver’s view.

Nevertheless, the Spirit became a popular optional extra until it became standard fitment in the 1920s.

You can see the Spirit of Ecstasy in the metal on the bonnet of a wonderfully original Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow at The Great British Car Journey but you will not find one on the bonnet of “Jam Roll” the car presented by the scout movement to Lord Baden-Powell. This is the only Rolls-Royce we know that has the scouting Fleur-de-lis on its radiator signifying peace and purity : perhaps more appropriate than the Spirit of Ecstasy and its slightly racy past?

Remember you can take advantage of a special Rolls-Royce themed treat for Mum on Mother’s Day. For mothers day we are offering something extrememly special for your mum! Come enjoy a ride in a Rolls Royce, FREE glass of prosecco as well as entry into the GBCJ for only £29.95!