What makes a Rolls-Royce special to drive?

A Rolls-Royce is a work of art, superbly crafted. They exude quality. Everything about them, everything you touch, is a delight; everything works properly.

Why did you buy your first Rolls-Royce?

I actually got the bug as a young schoolboy - just the thrill of seeing the way the cars are put together. We had an old Rolls-Royce in our workshop [at school] and I spent as much time as possible playing about with it and I was determined that I would get a Rolls-Royce for myself as soon as possible – and I did, as a University student.

And why do you think other people buy them?

“All sorts of reasons. In the early 1900s they were possibly the only reliable way of getting from A to B in a motor car. But today people buy them for similar reasons to my own, they want something good and the Rolls-Royce fills that bill.

Are there any modifications you would make?

I always think these cars are best left original; modifications, in the main, degrade them. The older cars had no power steering and they’re actually very heavy; as one gets older this can be a problem and I know that a lot of our club members have had power steering added so they can still drive them.

Why do you think the Rolls-Royce is an Icon of England?

Without a doubt it is because Rolls-Royce is a synonym for excellence. In languages all over the world if you refer to something as the "Rolls-Royce" of whatever it may be, you are saying that it is the best of its kind. This was established very, very shortly after Rolls-Royce motor cars appeared on the scene in the early 1900s.