Report by Peter Matthews.

ON August 8, Kevin Patience gave a very interesting history of Rolls Royce and the development of its famous mascot.

The iconic Silver Lady is probably the best-known car mascot ever produced and it remains in modified form on modern versions of Rolls Royce vehicles even though they are now manufactured by a different company.

Kevin’s interest in Rolls Royce cars came from purchases he made of old, rundown specimens which he renovated and sold on. Most of these are still working.

Sadly, nowadays there isn’t the same enthusiasm there once was for collecting old vehicles.

Charles Rolls was a London car salesman at the turn of the last century. He was interested in adding new types of car to his sales list.

Royce was an automobile engineer in Manchester who made his living building and modifying engines. He bought a Decauville in 1902 but was grossly dissatisfied with the engine performance.

So he stripped it down and, by modification turned it into a beautifully smooth machine. He decided to build his own car made around the engine and, with interest and finance from Rolls, the Rolls Royce brand was born.

Originally six cars were built, one of which still survives. The work on the engine developed to produce the six cylinder, 7 litre model which ran in the Silver Ghost and many other custom built vehicles.

How did the mascot come about? The second Lord Montague, who published a magazine called “The Car” and who was very influential in the early development of motor vehicles wanted a mascot for his Rolls Royce Silver Ghost machines.

Owners of Silver Ghosts had put their own designs on their cars many of which were considered appalling by the Rolls Royce Board of Directors.

Montague knew a designer called Charles Sykes who had made trophies for motor racing events and he recommended him to the Board to produce a standard mascot that could be sold with the car.

Sykes produced several designs but the one which prevailed was called “The Spirit of Ecstasy.” It was a winged lady and perfectly encapsulated the smoothness and speed of a Rolls Royce car.

The model for the mascot was Eleanor Thornton, the mistress of Montague, She sadly died in a shipping disaster, The ship Persia carrying Lord Montague and Eleanor was sunk by a German Submarine in 1915.

Montague survived but Eleanor perished. However the lady figure lived on and has graced cars for more than a century since. Rolls Royce also went on to greater things; supplying military armoured vehicles for use in the World Wars and, by developing an aircraft engine, saving our country in the Battle of Britain.

A very interesting talk which was much appreciated.

Probus Club of Sarum is meeting every second Friday of the month at Sarum College in The Close, Salisbury. Each fourth Friday is reserved for a group lunch.

The club’s members are retirees who value intellectual stimulation as well as a sociable atmosphere. Guests and new members are always welcome. Call 01722 392 043