Feedback

Rolls-Royce details the history of the Spectre name

Ben Chia
11/10/2022

In light of the upcoming new Spectre EV, Rolls-Royce looks back at its fascinating history with the Spectre name 


GOODWOOD, UK

Rolls-Royce has a history of using storied names for its cars, with the likes of Phantom, Ghost, Wraith and Dawn all have precedents that stretch across the brand’s 118-year history.

For the brand’s upcoming first-ever battery electric vehicle (BEV), Rolls-Royce sought to have a name that equally offers a historic link to its past, while also representing a major and definitive shift into the future, and it has found the perfect name in Spectre.



The Spectre name was first used by Rolls-Royce in 1910, when the company built Chassis 1601. Claude Johnson, the commercial managing director of Rolls-Royce at the time, used Chassis 1601 as a demonstrator of sorts, for trial use, and called it ‘The Silver Spectre’.

The next instance of the Spectre name showing up on a Rolls-Royce came on one of the brand’s experimental cars, which bore the suffix ‘EX’. These cars were used for experimenting with new engineering developments and technologies, and were often put through extensive tests across harsh and unforgiving real world conditions. 

One of these cars, the 30EX, was developed with a brand-new V12 engine on a completely new chassis with independent front suspension. When the 30EX was ready for testing in 1934, it was given the codename ‘Spectre’, and nine examples were produced. The final product evolved into the Phantom III in 1936, and the 30EX ‘Spectre’ test models went a long way towards helping Rolls-Royce uphold its reputation for refinement, and its status as “The best car in the world”. 



Nearly 80 years on, the Spectre name will now officially join the line-up as a full-fledged production. Like its historic forebears, the new Spectre will mark a major landmark for Rolls-Royce, and will continue to help the brand chart a new path forward into a new era.


Tags:

Coupe electric EV luxury Rolls-Royce rolls-royce spectre spectre

About the Author

Ben Chia

CarBuyer's print editor went out to explore the Great Big World, including a stint working in China (despite his limited Mandarin). Now he's back, ready to foist upon you his takes on everything good and wonderful about the automotive world. Follow Ben on Instagram @carbuyer.ben

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

CarBuyer – Revolutionizing The Online Car Marketplace In Singapore

Buy Used And New Cars Online
Start your car buying journey with CarBuyer as we connect you seamlessly to the industry’s best CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealerships. As a one stop car online portal you can now buy your new ride, be it a pre-owned car or a brand new car from trusted dealers all over Singapore, all in one place. Our ever expanding listing of quality and covet-worthy cars, new and second hand, from both owners and trusted car dealers, will leave you spoilt for choice. Refine your search by vehicle type, registration year, price, mileage, engine type, transmission, annual depreciation value and more to find the car that best suits your needs, taste and lifestyle. You can even search for your car by dealer or directly by owner.

Sell Your Car In An Instant With Confidence
We all know how selling a car in Singapore can be a daunting task especially for a first time car seller; from trying to get a valuation for your car, finding a trusted dealer, to getting the best quote on your vehicle. CarBuyer understands the hassle and even the costs involved and have as such partnered with Huawei to develop a FIRST in Southeast Asia AI car valuation tool that is able to provide a car’s resale value at the snap of a finger. Backed with a consortium of trusted CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealers you can be assured that you are getting the best price for your vehicle and do not have to worry about any hidden costs.

The Ultimate Car Shopping Experience Online
CarBuyer platform is the first of its kind to be backed by Huawei’s Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing, enabling it to be able to offer users transparency and enhanced security, all with the one aim of enhancing customer experience. So come on over to buy and sell used cars online at the best prices at CarBuyer Singapore. Connect easily with dealers in real-time via our online video call feature, or schedule a test drive when you’re ready. Have some questions? Get them answered instantly with our chatbot moderated by our responsive team. Stay in the loop with our car-related tips, reviews and news. Learn the ins-and-outs of your car, as well as global and Singapore’s car updates at your own pace.