This subseries documents Rolls-Royce, which was built by Royce Limited of Manchester, England (1904-1906); Rolls-Royce Limited of Manchester, England (1906-1908), Derby, England (1908-1945), and Crewe, England (1946-1971); Rolls-Royce Motors (1971) Limited of Crewe, England (1971-1998); and Rolls-Royce Limited of Goodwood, England (1998-Present).

Rolls-Royce is one of the world's most renowned manufacturers of prestige cars. Founded in 1904 by British aristocrat Charles Rolls and automotive engineer Henry Royce, the firm built its first car that same year. Over time, Rolls-Royce acquired a reputation for being an innovative builder of high-quality prestige cars, which attracted a wealthy clientele that would eventually include royalty, artistocrats, business tycoons, and movie stars.

During World War I, Rolls-Royce contributed to the British war effort and diversified its product line by building aircraft engines, an activity that would play an increasingly important role in the company's fortunes as time went on. In 1931, the firm took over the bankrupt prestige car maker Bentley Motors Limited, which it operated as a wholly owned for subsidiary for many years. In World War II, Rolls-Royce once again contributed to the British war effort by building the famed Merlin and Griffon aircraft engines.

In spite of building memorable luxury cars, Rolls-Royce ran into severe financial difficulties in the 1960s, which were brought on by problems with the aircraft engine side of the business. The company went bankrupt in 1970 and was subsequently nationalized by the British government in 1971. That same year, the car business was split off from the aircraft engine business and it became an independent firm named Rolls-Royce Motors (1971) Limited.

Rolls-Royce changed hands several times between the 1980s and 2000s. From 1980 to 1998, the make was owned by Vickers, a British aircraft manufacturer. In a controversial sale, Rolls-Royce was purchased by Volkswagen AG in 1998. After a legal dispute between Volkswagen and BMW, Rolls-Royce was split off from Bentley and sold to present owner BMW in 2003. See also Bentley, BMW, and Volkswagen (Germany).