Partly because of restrictions on advertising in the stadium, but also because it was such a special occasion, the hand-built cars had non-RR badges for the first time in the company’s 108‑year history. The cars silently conveyed three British artistes during the ‘A Symphony of British Music’ event. The artistes were hidden from view as the cars crossed the auditorium, before being revealed as each convertible roof descended.
The new grille badge features the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy with a Union Flag replacing the traditional flowing gown of the 'Graceful Little Goddess'. The steering wheel centre includes a traditional laurel wreath and torch, and the self-righting wheel centres feature the words ‘London 2012’ surrounded by the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’).
The badges are complemented by unique tread plates identifying each car as ‘One of Three’, creating perhaps the most collectable (and unobtainable) Rolls-Royce bespoke items ever produced.
Rolls Royce is a subsidiary of BMW, which was the official automotive partner for London 2012, providing some 4,000 BMW and Mini cars for the event to shuttle athletes and officials around the city and the venues. BMW also provided the scale-model electric Minis used in the stadium to transport javelins, discuses and shots back to the athletes after they had been thrown.
BMW also had a large pavilion in the Olympic Park, with concept and production cars, which was a very popular attraction to those who went to the Games area in Stratford.
