T'would smell as sweet
If you guys get half as fed up with me being ticked off at stuff as I do, I feel sorry for you. It won't stop me being ticked or writing about being ticked, but I do feel sorry for you.
The latest thing that's ticked me off, is monied corporations buying a business specifically because of the salable value of the name, then introducing sub-par products that only claim to be of the original companies storied quality. Trust me, would I come here with no example? Did you know, that if you've bought a Rolls-Royce in the last 5 years or so, what you've purchased is actually a Volkswagen with a BMW engine? Since I know that many of my readers either already own or are seriously considering buying Rolls-Royces in the near future, I figured this might well be a timely article.
I don't want a Rolls, I can't afford a Rolls, but even if I did/could, I wouldn't want one now. Why? Because what makes a Rolls a Rolls was gone the instant that Volkswagen bought the name. I have nothing against Volkswagen automobiles, however the acquisition of Rolls & Bentley by Volkswagen has destroyed for me an image I have always treasured. An image of talented English mechanics, machinists, and engineers hand building a practically indestructible car. I also find it ironic that what Germany couldn't do with Junker Ju87 dive bombers, and V1 rockets, it managed to do with a bug shaped car.
Rolls-Royce was, past tense, a legendary manufacturer. Now they're just a legend. A thing best left to libraries and fireside tales. During WWII, the fabled Supermarine Spitfire (the plane most often credited with saving London in the Battle of Britain) was powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. I heard recently that a Spitfire pilot returning from a dogfight above London told his mechanic that he'd "better have a look at that engine, it's running a touch rough'. When the cowling was peeled back, the mechanic discovered that the two front cylinders (of 12 in total) had been shot completely away, leaving an engine with little remaining oil, a ragged collection of remaining components, and a Spitfire mechanic shaking his head. Still, the plane and pilot had made it safely home, flying over 50 miles in that wretched condition. Later that same magnificent engine was used to power the US Army Air Corp P-51 Mustang to victory over German fighters, and helped to win WWII. You'll find quite a few of these engines even today flying at air-shows, and in good tune they'll still propel a P-51 to speeds in excess 400 mph. Pretty danged fast for a propellor driven 60 year old aircraft!
While I realize that nothing ever stays the same. I just wish that before these legends were sold (for a few billion and a handful of souls), the owners of these priceless pieces of history would realize there's far more at stake here than a name. The pride of two great men and the hope of a nation built Rolls-Royce. All it took to tear it down was a little financial trouble, and our old friend avarice. I guess before I get too upset at Rolls-Royce having become Volkswagen, I should take heart, as it's already been sold again... To BMW. You know, the German company with a propellor for a logo?
See, that should make me feel better... shouldn't it?
fotno
