Care To Guess The Age Of Rolls-Royce’s Spirit Of Ecstasy?

One of the most famous car emblems ever made, the Rolls-Royce ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ just celebrated its 110th anniversary.

The hood ornament, which adorns the front end of every car built at the brand’s Goodwood plant, was first registered as an intellectual property of Rolls-Royce on February 6, 1911.

Its design has remained the same over the years but, while the first cars from the British auto firm wore 7-inch (18-cm) tall emblems, today’s item, which is hidden in a special housing in the bonnet until the engine starts, has a height of ‘only’ 3.7 inches (9.5 cm).

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Fitted to every Rolls-Royce vehicle since 1920 as standard, the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’, or ‘Flying Lady’ as it is also known, can be made of different materials, including frosted crystal or 24-carat gold, which is why certain examples can cost as much as a brand new small car.

“As an emblem, the Spirit of Ecstasy represents far more than just our company and our products”, said the Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Muller-Otvos. “To our customers, she is a potent symbol, instantly and universally recognized – of success, endeavor, achievement and standing. In her beauty, simplicity, elegance and rarity, she encapsulates everything our customers seek – and find – in their Rolls-Royce motor car.”

The Spirit of Ecstasy was inspired by a bronze statuette made by sculptor and illustrator Charles Sykes. Named the ‘Whisper’, it was created for his employer, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, a motoring pioneer and Rolls-Royce early adopter.