Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has completed restoring the first two vehicles produced at its current factory complex in the early 2000s. Called the Gravity Racers, both took part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed despite having no engine under the hood.
The RR-0.01 and RR-0.02 are so-called “soapbox cars”, vehicles jury-rigged from cheap available materials such as large soap crates and lacking a propulsion source. The same team that built these two later proceeded to design the Phantom VII – Rolls-Royce’s first car in history to be produced by BMW.
The RR-0.01 hit the hill descent track in 2001 sporting a body made from carbon fiber, glass-fiber plastic and aluminum. With the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament gone as it was sold by Vickers to Volkswagen along with other Rolls-Royce assets several years prior, the company jokingly put the March Hare in its place.
The sleeker RR-0.02 hit the same track in the following year’s race. It was inspired by the original Silver Ghost racer that won the tournaments of 1911 and 1913. It lacked any kind of bonnet ornament, but sported an emblem made of two question marks right above the grille. The question marks were a jab at the missing company logo, which ended up acquired by BMW from Rolls-Royce Holdings.
Both racers later stayed at a reception exhibit in the RR HQ. They made their last track entrance 11 years ago and were able to make it to the finish line, the RR-0.02 even accelerating to 116 km/h (72 mph) in the process.
However, as chaotic as soapbox races are, both cars ended up with plenty of damage. A group of practicing students from the Rolls-Royce Apprentices was entrusted with restoring them to their former glory. Now that the work is complete, both vehicles will be permanently exhibited at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club in Northamptonshire, UK.