Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Celebrates 120 Years of Iconic Luxury at the 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
In a spectacular showcase of automotive excellence, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated its 120th anniversary at the renowned Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on May 25, 2024. The event marked the worldwide public debut of the Cullinan Series II, a bold evolution of the world’s leading super-luxury SUV, unveiled on the iconic Mosaic Lawn of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este.
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, remarked, “The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is an extraordinary celebration of automotive artistry. This event underscores Rolls-Royce’s unique place in automotive history. Showcasing our latest masterpiece, the Cullinan Series II, epitomizes the dedication of our designers, engineers, and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce. The procession of our historic models was a poignant reminder of our rich heritage. This gathering of luxury enthusiasts, international media, and automotive connoisseurs was the perfect occasion to honor the 120th anniversary of Rolls-Royce.”
The 2024 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este also honored the historic meeting of Rolls-Royce’s founders, The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, by showcasing some of the marque’s most celebrated motor cars. This elegant parade included five iconic models, each representing a significant chapter in the storied lineage of Rolls-Royce.
Among the distinguished vehicles on display were the 1914 Silver Ghost, renowned for its performance in early 20th-century motor trials, and the 1936 Phantom III, a marvel of engineering that inspired the name of Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric vehicle, the Spectre. The lineup also featured a 1923 40/50 H.P. Silver Ghost from Springfield, Massachusetts, a rare 1933 Phantom II Continental, and a 1961 long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II. The 1914 Silver Ghost was notably chosen as the outstanding motor car of the parade, reaffirming its legacy as ‘the best car in the world.’
The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, first held in 1929, is one of the most prestigious events in the international lifestyle calendar. Hosted in the exquisite surroundings of the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este on the shores of Lake Como, it is a global showcase for classic and vintage cars. This year’s event provided an ideal platform to pay tribute to Rolls-Royce’s rich heritage and to introduce the Cullinan Series II, which builds upon the remarkable success of its predecessor launched in 2018. The Series II reaffirms the marque’s commitment to Sir Henry Royce’s famous maxim: “Take the best that exists and make it better.”
As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commemorates 120 years since the first meeting of its founders at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, the brand continues to define super-luxury motoring worldwide. The parade of historic and contemporary Rolls-Royce models at Villa d’Este served as a testament to the enduring legacy of Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce, whose pioneering vision continues to inspire the future of luxury motoring.
