We bet you don't know these facts about Rolls Royce! RR is a symbol of luxury and quality in motoring since the 1930s to this day. It's a result of collaboration between the mind of Henry Royce and the ideas of Charles Rolls. Their product is to this day, taking people's breath away. Let's find out more!

1. The model for Spirit of Ecstasy is actually a symbol of an affair

The well-known Rolls-Royce emblem is actually a symbol of an affair between Baron John Montagu and his mistress, Eleanor Thornton. The car collector wanted to make a hood ornament for his Rolls-Royce, inspired by the looks of his secret love.

The earlier versions of the sculpture actually had her pressing her fingers against her lips, symbolizing their decade-long affair. The sculptor of statuette adapted and evolved the design for Rolls Royce, which is used to this day.

2. BMW spent tens of millions for the rights to the ornament

Spirit of Ecstasy was held by Volkswagen even after BMW bought Rolls Royce from them. Volkswagen did a smart move and requested $40 million to transfer the ownership to BMW. They had no other option but to agree and pay.

3. Over 60% of all Rolls-Royce vehicles are still on the road

Rolls-Royce's main focus was always on making durable and enduring vehicles. The results of their hard work are notable as more than half of their vehicles are still driving.

4. RR once made a .50 caliber machine gun

During World War II, the engineering team of Rolls-Royce got the idea to improve the efficiency of the staple machine gun, the Browning M2. The machine gun featured a locked breech and typical gas mechanism.

It fired at a double rate of the M2 and weighed more than 40% less. however, it generated too much muzzle flash and it jammed too often. For that reason, it never got out for general use but one example is kept in Royal Armouries Museum in England.

5. Rolls Royce opened the 300 mph club

RR got to the enchanting speed first with their 2,300 horsepower, 36.7-liter supercharged V-12 engine back in the 1930s. The speed record was set to 272.46 mph in the Campbell-Railton Blue Bird which was powered by an RR engine.

6. Rolls Royce made plane engines

They were equally proficient in making prolific aviation engines. The best known is a 27-liter Spitfire Merlin V-12, made in 1933. This engine had such powerful thrust from the exhaust that at the moment when engineers simply angled the exhaust outlet at back, it would gain 10 mph.

7. You could only get Phantom IV if you were royal

RR has gained a reputation for elegance since the beginning and it became the only choice for the world's elite. This went to such an extent that the British royal family made RR a preferred car manufacturer. Princess Elizabeth was the first to receive a Phantom IV. Only 18 of them were produced and it's one of the rarest of all RR cars.

8. Rolls-Royce have their own driving school

Of course, if you already have a RR, you will opt for the chauffeur as the coveted seats are in the back. However, for maximum comfort, you'll want someone who passed a White Glove training. These people learn how to open and close doors without leaving fingerprints, how to brake without disturbing passengers and how to perfectly read the road.

9. RR leather is made only from bulls

While cows can get stretch marks during pregnancy, their skin isn't so blemish-free as those from bulls. They also make sure that bulls are coming from European areas with fewer mosquitoes and other insects to minimize bite marks.

10. Only one man paints the pinstripes on RR - by hand

Mark Court is the hand behind pinstripes on Rolls-Royce cars for and he's been doing that work for decades. It's his only job and reportedly, earns him a six-figure salary. If we consider that one slight mistake would result in the entire car needing to be repainted - his pay is well-deserved.