Members of IHEEM’s Southern Branch met at Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s head office and manufacturing plant in May for a guided tour of the factory.
The visitors were told that the Chichester site was chosen because of the links with the Goodwood airfield and motor racing circuit – where a “revival” classic car racing weekend is held each September. In addition, certain skilled trades were available in the area.
The visitors saw all aspects of the manufacture of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, from the paint shop at the start of the assembly line through to the leather cutting and seat manufacture section, the wood veneer section, and the final finishing and rigorous test section. The whole process is undertaken to exacting standards with quality checks undertaken at all stages of the process.
The factory currently produces four to five finished cars per day – a total of about 1,000 per year.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is powered by a specially designed Rolls-Royce 6.75 litre V12 engine which develops something in excess of 450 bhp and achieves 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. It is a normally aspirated engine (no turbo or super charger) and is linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox.
All cars are built to order with an average build time of about three to four months. The specification selection process, which can be undertaken at the factory, includes such things as exterior colour, as you would expect, through to leather type and colour, stitching type, veneer type, wheel type and many more details. The rear doors even come equipped with a storage tube for the stowage of the Rolls-Royce umbrellas which are supplied with the car.
At £265,000 for the standard model, including a most comprehensive list of standard equipment, none of the group felt able to place an order, but left very impressed with factory design and production techniques.
