Henry Royce (1863-1933) was a hard-working and talented engineer who founded his company F.H.Royce & Co. in 1894.  Charles Rolls (1877-1910) was an aristocrat with a keen interest in automobiles and aviation.  In 1904, the two men met and agreed to join forces to build their first car together which appeared at the Paris Motor Show in December of that year.  In 1906, Rolls-Royce Ltd. was established with vehicles first produced in Manchester, then Derby and later in Crewe.  Their cars quickly established a reputation for smoothness, quietness and reliability.  The company also developed very successful aero engines, particularly those produced for the Schneider Trophy Races and which later evolved into the Merlin that powered the Supermarine Spitfire.  Charles Rolls died in an aeroplane accident in 1910, whilst ill-health caused by overwork curtailed Henry Royce’s involvement with the company.  In 1931, Rolls-Royce Ltd. acquired Bentley Motors Ltd..  Over many decades, Rolls-Royce have continued to produce high-quality luxury vehicles with a deserved worldwide reputation for excellence.  Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. is owned by BMW with production continuing at Goodwood in West Sussex.