Rolls-Royce Celebrates 120 Years of Excellence at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

June 1, 2024

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the 120th anniversary of the meeting between its founders, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, with a spectacular showcase of its most iconic models at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 25, 2024. This prestigious event was also chosen for the worldwide public debut of the Cullinan Series II, a bold evolution of the world’s pre-eminent super-luxury SUV, presented on the Grand Hotel’s renowned Mosaic Lawn.

“The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is an incredible celebration of automotive art. This wonderful event truly highlights the unique position Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has in the history of the automobile. It was an honour to showcase our latest masterpiece, Cullinan Series II, on the Mosaic Lawn at the Grand Hotel, exemplifying the culmination of countless hours of work from our team of designers, engineers, and highly skilled craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce. I was also moved by the unique procession of some of the most famous Rolls-Royce motor cars, a reminder of the rich heritage of our marque. This event, which brings together luxury cognoscenti, leading international media, and automotive connoisseurs, was the perfect occasion to honour the 120th anniversary of Rolls-Royce,” said Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars marked this milestone with a parade featuring some of its most iconic models at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The event also saw the worldwide public debut of the Cullinan Series II, a bold evolution of the world’s pre-eminent super-luxury SUV, on the Grand Hotel’s renowned Mosaic Lawn.

Building on the extraordinary global success of the first-generation Cullinan, which redefined super-luxury motoring upon its launch in 2018, the Series II model reaffirms the marque’s unwavering commitment to Sir Henry Royce’s famous maxim: “Take the best that exists and make it better.”

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, first staged in 1929, is one of the most prestigious and significant events in the international lifestyle calendar. Held in the exquisite surroundings of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como, it serves as a global showcase for classic and vintage cars. This year’s event provided the perfect occasion to pay tribute to a selection of models that have helped build Rolls-Royce’s stellar reputation.

Guests and media representatives from around the world enjoyed a parade featuring some of the most famous models from Rolls-Royce’s storied lineage. This unique assembly included a 1914 Silver Ghost, renowned for its performances in the great motor trials of the early 20th Century, and a Phantom III, a marvel of engineering from 1936 that inspired the name of Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric vehicle, Spectre. Other notable models included a 40/50 H.P. Silver Ghost built in 1923, a rare 1933 Phantom II Continental, and a fine example of a 1961 long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II. Among this array of epoch-making Rolls-Royces, a team of judges selected the 1914 Silver Ghost as the outstanding motor car of the parade, further cementing its status as ‘the best car in the world.’

The procession of past and present Rolls-Royce motor cars underscored the enduring legacy laid down by the marque’s founders, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce. Together, these two pioneers gave their names to a dynasty of motor cars that continue to define super-luxury motoring globally. It has been 120 years since their first meeting at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, and their legacy lives on in the company they created.

For those interested in experiencing the luxury and heritage of Rolls-Royce, consider exploring used Rolls-Royce models available at Auto Trader UAE. Visit Auto Trader UAE to find your perfect pre-owned luxury vehicle in Dubai.

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