Rolls Royce - never seen on side of road

[carwant.com.au]

For over thirty years, I've never seen a broken down Rolls-Royce on the side of the road. I was always told (30+years) that I specialised tow truck immediately picks them up with a cover or container so know one sees them broken down.

Anyone seen this happen, or was my dad telling me a white lie.....

[Sioso]

I've heard Mercedes used to do this also, put a cover over them when towing to protect their reputation.

[monzie]

Rollers don't break down, they "Fail to Proceed"

[Sabantien]

Given the number of Rolls I haven't seen on the roads, it's not surprising I haven't seen one broken down.

[GazzF6]

Originally Posted by carwant.com.au

For over thirty years, I've never seen a broken down Rolls-Royce on the side of the road. I was always told (30+years) that I specialised tow truck immediately picks them up with a cover or container so know one sees them broken down.

Anyone seen this happen, or was my dad telling me a white lie.....

It's true, reputation is everything..

[Tonz]

When Japanese built Honda cars were first released in NZ the advertising went along the lines no after sales roadside assist because simply its not required.

[Ford17]

This was the story I'd heard of:

A London plutocrat was driving his fine new Rolls-Royce over the Alps when he heard a disquieting "twang." His front spring had broken.

He called the Rolls plant in London by long distance, and, in what seemed like no time flat, three gentlemen arrived by plane with a new spring — and off went the plutocrat on his interrupted jaunt.

Now comes the really interesting part of the story. After six months the plutocrat had received no bill from the Rolls people. Finally he appeared at the plant in person and asked that the records be checked for "the repair of a broken spring in Switzerland." After a brief delay the manager of the plant appeared in person, gazed at him rather reproachfully, and announced, "There must be some mistake, sir. There is no such thing as a broken spring on a Rolls-Royce."

http://www.snopes.com/autos/dream/rolls.asp

[Kingsley]

I worked at a regional dealership that had NRMA franchise in the early 80's. One Sunday evening the NRMA got a call to breakdown. After a quick look under the bonnet it was decided to tow the Rolls back to our dealership. The service manager rang Rolls Royce first thing Monday to inform them one of their cars had broken down and was sitting in our workshop. That was the first time I'd heard the term 'it has not broken down, it has failed to proceed'. They asked how it got there and they very ****ed off it was towed there and not covered in the workshop. They told us to immediately to cover the vehicle (not a chance) and they would send a vehicle to remove it from the premises. Three hours later a pantech type truck arrived and the Rolls was covered and moved into the truck. We weren't allowed to take photo's either.

[Wayne]

Relax in the knowledge your father was not telling porkies. He was simply passing on one of the many "stories" he had probably heard from others. Rolls Royce's do indeed "fail to proceed" from time to time, they even get recalled occasionally. The Silver Shadow I owned saw the back of a tilt tray on one occasion, damn fuel pump and Lucas Electrics, and its trip of shame was done completely unmasked. I was also told never to call them Rollers, that's an insult. The company people prefer the abbreviation of a "Royce". Really, whenever I wanted parts or service they seemed to be happy just calling it a "car".

[carwant.com.au]

Originally Posted by Ford17

This was the story I'd heard of:

A London plutocrat was driving his fine new Rolls-Royce over the Alps when he heard a disquieting "twang." His front spring had broken.

He called the Rolls plant in London by long distance, and, in what seemed like no time flat, three gentlemen arrived by plane with a new spring — and off went the plutocrat on his interrupted jaunt.

Now comes the really interesting part of the story. After six months the plutocrat had received no bill from the Rolls people. Finally he appeared at the plant in person and asked that the records be checked for "the repair of a broken spring in Switzerland." After a brief delay the manager of the plant appeared in person, gazed at him rather reproachfully, and announced, "There must be some mistake, sir. There is no such thing as a broken spring on a Rolls-Royce."

http://www.snopes.com/autos/dream/rolls.asp

Cool stories!

[deesun]

I have, top of Mt Tamborine about 3 months ago. Steam, or smoke, pouring out from engine as the bonnet was up. I thought about returning for a pic but didn't. Older Roller.

[Pis-ton broke]

i don,t know if these ones are broken down , but i know of a place at western sydney where there are 5 white rollers wasting away in a paddock with no cover. they have been there for years in the open.

[OzriderXR8]

My father used to tell me the same stories about covered trucks, it was probably true in the UK in the 60's.

I drove to Adelaide recently in the wife's Elantra and an old Roller was basically following me. I stopped 3 times at a servo for a snack, toilet break or for my one and only fuel top up, each time he stopped as well and was filling his very large tank.

Elantra - 6 litres per 100klms, RollsRoyce - ????

[smoo]

Although not a rolls Royce or Mercedes, this thread has reminded me of this blog I found when I was looking to buy a later model Range Rover. Not a bad read.

http://gibbadventure.blogspot.co.nz/...erley.html?m=1

[Nanoraptor]

Just a couple of weeks back I saw a rolls on a car trailer along the mitchell highway in the morning, and going back the other way the same night.

I'm pretty sure it was this one.

[MrEL]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

i don,t know if these ones are broken down , but i know of a place at western sydney where there are 5 white rollers wasting away in a paddock with no cover. they have been there for years in the open.

Yep just the other side of the creek about a 2 minute drive from the pub.
They have been there for years.

[Franco Cozzo]

I had a 1970s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow in my workshop for a while, it toasted an alternator.

I'm not really a fan of 1970s stuff but they go above and beyond in their cars, you have to see them in the metal to appreciate it.

[monzie]

Originally Posted by Pis-ton broke

i don,t know if these ones are broken down , but i know of a place at western sydney where there are 5 white rollers wasting away in a paddock with no cover. they have been there for years in the open.

Nah, it's OK he's going to do something with them one day.

[carwant.com.au]

Originally Posted by smoo

Although not a rolls Royce or Mercedes, this thread has reminded me of this blog I found when I was looking to buy a later model Range Rover. Not a bad read.

http://gibbadventure.blogspot.co.nz/...erley.html?m=1

Great read of the blog. Rangie delivered great service in such an unusual brake down. The trip is on my bucket list and i'll be sure to take a lot of advice from experts months before the trip.

[V8 Ghia Mike]

I saw a 70s Roller earlier this year broken down with the bonnet up. I told my wife the story of a RR never to be seen in public like that.

[mike_nofx]

Originally Posted by Daz290

I worked at a regional dealership that had NRMA franchise in the early 80's. One Sunday evening the NRMA got a call to breakdown. After a quick look under the bonnet it was decided to tow the Rolls back to our dealership. The service manager rang Rolls Royce first thing Monday to inform them one of their cars had broken down and was sitting in our workshop. That was the first time I'd heard the term 'it has not broken down, it has failed to proceed'. They asked how it got there and they very ****ed off it was towed there and not covered in the workshop. They told us to immediately to cover the vehicle (not a chance) and they would send a vehicle to remove it from the premises. Three hours later a pantech type truck arrived and the Rolls was covered and moved into the truck. We weren't allowed to take photo's either.

Seems like the perfect opportunity to inform him your car covering specialist in the workshop charges $1k for each car he covers... not to mention the workshop photographer with contacts with the local newspaper charges $1k to turn his camera off.

[Carrion]

Not sure the last one is broken down tho

[M&Ms]

Yesterday afternoon on the M4 (citybound, near Silverwater Rd. approx 3.30pm) I saw a black Bentley Continental 4-door sitting on the side with the bonnet and boot open. Not sure if it was broken down, but was worth a chuckle with my wife!

[carwant.com.au]

Bentley broken down (if it was) is rare as well. I watch the Mega-factory episode of Bentley and it's all first class, as well as all (or most, i don't remember exactly) hand made

[TUF_302]

There is a reason Rollers and Bentlys make Mercs and Beemers seem cheap!

[ELAUBA]

Originally Posted by TUF_302

There is a reason Rollers and Bentlys make Mercs and Beemers seem cheap!

Correct. The attention to detail is something else.

Originally Posted by OzriderXR8

Elantra - 6 litres per 100klms, RollsRoyce - ????

That is like asking a lady her age.

You don't need to stop any more often than any other car. They have a large fuel tank.

[Beastie]

If anyone is interested, have a look at the Roadside Assistance program...

https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com...ownership.html

[happy1]

I heard a story about when Hyundai stated selling their lovely Accents in US in the 1990s.
Apparently the only way to sell them was to offer 6 years warranty, with no questions asked. Also the dealers apparently offered cash buy-back for the entire purchase amount if anyone brought along their lawyer and wanted to take legal action for any reason. (Sign here, take the cash, and be quiet).. The story described that because of this the dealerships had 'graveyards' of dead Accent cars behind the dealerships, and the S/hand parts were being used to keep the remaining ones on the road for the free 6 years. Quality has improved a little since then, but still nowhere like the RR and other almost over-engineered cars.

[Kingsley]

Originally Posted by Carrion

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Not sure the last one is broken down tho

Dunno. Looks to have a flooding issue preventing it from starting.

[Pis-ton broke]

Originally Posted by The Beast

If anyone is interested, have a look at the Roadside Assistance program...

https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com...ownership.html

i had a look at that link, take out all the rolls royce names and substitute them with FORD, for a laugh.something like this,

Owning a Rolls-Royce (ford) is an effortless pleasure, made even simpler by the high standards of aftercare our authorised network of dealers offer. Your Rolls-Royce (ford) dealer will provide support and advice on all aspects of your motor car and a comprehensive four-year ownership package, including warranty, service and roadside assistance.

err, yeah, shore.