Automotive
With a shared ambition to make the future of motoring extraordinary, the Honourable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce joined forces in 1904. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, the founders of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars formed an unlikely partnership - one forged from a mutual passion for engineering and a desire to create the Best Car in the World.
In 1903, Rolls broke the land speed record. Born in 1877 in London’s affluent Berkeley Square, Charles Stewart Rolls was the third son of Lord and Lady Llangattock. After attending Eton, Rolls studied mechanical engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became the first undergraduate to own a motor car. Known for his fascination with engines, he earned nicknames such as ‘Dirty Rolls’ and ‘Petrolls.’ By the time he left university, Rolls was already an accomplished motorist. In 1903, he broke the world land speed record in Dublin, driving a 30hp Mors at nearly 83 mph. However, due to unapproved timing equipment, the achievement was not officially recognized.
To fund his sporting activities, Rolls co-founded one of Britain’s earliest car dealerships, CS Rolls & Co., with his friend Claude Johnson. Together, they imported and sold Peugeot motor cars from France and Minerva motor cars from Belgium.
In stark contrast to Rolls’s privileged upbringing, Henry Royce came from humble beginnings. Born in 1863 in Peterborough, England, Royce began working at the age of nine - selling newspapers and acting as a telegram boy before his fortunes changed. At fourteen, one of Royce’s aunts sponsored an apprenticeship with Great Northern Railway Works. Under the guidance of one of the era’s leading engineers, Royce eagerly pursued education, studying algebra, French, and electrical engineering during evenings.
Displaying a natural talent for engineering, Royce secured a position at the Electric Light and Power Company. His true ambition, however, was to focus solely on engineering. Together with fellow engineer Ernest Claremont, he founded a business producing electrical components such as doorbells and dynamos. During this period, Royce patented improvements to the bayonet light bulb, some of which remain in use today.
Royce’s interest in motor cars was sparked after purchasing a second-hand two-cylinder French Decauville. Driven by an instinctive desire for perfection, he quickly identified construction flaws and vowed to do better. By the end of 1903, he had designed and built his first petrol engine, and in April 1904, Royce drove his first 10hp motor car into town.
Henry Edmunds, a shareholder in Royce’s company and a friend of Rolls, bragged to him about the new Royce 10hp motor car. At the time, Rolls was frustrated with only being able to sell foreign imports. Seizing the opportunity, Edmunds arranged a meeting between Rolls and Royce - a meeting that would change motoring history forever.
Rolls and Royce first met on May 4, 1904, in Manchester. Within minutes of seeing Royce’s twin-cylinder 10hp, Rolls knew he had found exactly what he was looking for. After a test drive, Rolls agreed immediately to sell as many motor cars as Royce could build, under the name Rolls-Royce.
Creating a brand requires vision. While Rolls and Royce focused on building and selling motor cars, Rolls’s partner Claude Johnson stepped into the role of Managing Director, expanding the fledgling company’s reputation. A genius at publicity, Johnson became so integral to the company’s success that he was affectionately known as ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce.’
One of Johnson’s earliest advertisements for the 40/50hp motor car famously declared: “The six-cylinder Rolls-Royce – not one of the best, but the Best Car in the World.” This phrase would forever become synonymous with Rolls-Royce.
Johnson’s orchestrated publicity stunts, showcasing the quietness and reliability of Rolls-Royce cars, proved incredibly effective. They demonstrated superior performance and created global exposure for the brand’s world-class engineering. The rest, as they say, is history.
At SherlockLock, we honor this extraordinary legacy of engineering and luxury. As specialists in high-end automotive locksmith services, our team is uniquely equipped to care for and secure Rolls-Royce vehicles - from the timeless classics to the latest cutting-edge models. With deep knowledge of the brand’s heritage and sophisticated security systems, SherlockLock offers trusted expertise in key replacement, lock repair, and advanced electronic access solutions designed to preserve both the integrity and prestige of your Rolls-Royce. Whether it’s a Phantom, Ghost, or Cullinan, owners can rely on SherlockLock for premium locksmith care that reflects the excellence Rolls and Royce intended over a century ago.
