Why You Can't Steal The Rolls-Royce Spirit Of Ecstasy Hood Ornament
Sameer Contractor
1 min read
Aug 09, 2016, 06:51 PM
Key Highlights
- The Spirit of Ecstasy has been fitted on all Rolls-Royce cars since 1920
- The ornament is mounted on a retractable spring loaded mechanism
- Drivers can retract the ornament from the press of a button as well
There is no doubt in the fact that Rolls-Royce cars are a spectacle in itself, but if there is one element that has been highly fantasised, written and spoken about relating to the car, it is the 'Spirit of Ecstasy' hood ornament. The Flying Lady has been synonymous with the marque British brand since 1920 and is available in stock stainless steel, while customers have spruced up their iterations in complete gold or crystal which are available as optional extras, with certain examples worth over $10,000 (over Rs. 6 lakh).
No wonder then, the Silver Lady is highly desired by enthusiasts and thieves alike. However, while you may have seen logos of luxury car makers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and even Porsche being stolen from the vehicles; there are never complaints of the Spirit of Ecstasy being stolen and that is because Rolls-Royce won't let that happen.
Attention to detail has always been one of the attributes of buying a Rolls and the folks at Goodwood have thought this through as well. Since the brand was resurrected in 2003, all modern day Rolls-Royce cars have the hood ornament mounted on a spring-loaded mechanism which will automatically detract into the radiator shell, should the 3-inch icon if struck from any direction. This makes is almost impossible to steal the Flying Lady.
Moreover, the driver can also raise or lower the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem with the touch of a button, in order to ensure its safety. The hood ornament is a part of every Rolls-Royce that comes out of the British car maker's facility in the UK right from the flagship Phantom to the new Dawn convertible and continues to stun everyone with its presence. Just one of the reasons why Rolls-Royce cars are all the more desirable we say.
No wonder then, the Silver Lady is highly desired by enthusiasts and thieves alike. However, while you may have seen logos of luxury car makers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and even Porsche being stolen from the vehicles; there are never complaints of the Spirit of Ecstasy being stolen and that is because Rolls-Royce won't let that happen.
Attention to detail has always been one of the attributes of buying a Rolls and the folks at Goodwood have thought this through as well. Since the brand was resurrected in 2003, all modern day Rolls-Royce cars have the hood ornament mounted on a spring-loaded mechanism which will automatically detract into the radiator shell, should the 3-inch icon if struck from any direction. This makes is almost impossible to steal the Flying Lady.
Moreover, the driver can also raise or lower the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem with the touch of a button, in order to ensure its safety. The hood ornament is a part of every Rolls-Royce that comes out of the British car maker's facility in the UK right from the flagship Phantom to the new Dawn convertible and continues to stun everyone with its presence. Just one of the reasons why Rolls-Royce cars are all the more desirable we say.
Related News
2 mins read
Rolls-Royce Unveils Bespoke Arcadia Droptail
Popular Rolls-Royce Models
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Jaiveer Mehra | Apr 1, 20262026 Mercedes-Benz GLE Facelift Debuts With Updated Looks, New Interior & More Powerful EnginesThe biggest changes come in the form of a revamped cabin with a new MBUX superscreen and the introduction of new six & eight-cylinder engines.1 min read
Jafar Rizvi | Apr 1, 20262026 Mercedes-Benz GLS Facelift Unveiled With Updated Engines, ‘Cloud-Based' SuspensionMercedes-Benz has unveiled the updated GLS with revised engines, new MB.OS-based infotainment, refreshed design and a lot more.3 mins read
car&bike Team | Mar 31, 2026MG Starlight 560 SUV Design Patented In IndiaThe design of the Wuling Starlight 560 SUV has been patented in India, and it appears identical to the global model.2 mins read
car&bike Team | Mar 31, 20262026 TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Launched At Rs 1.25 LakhAll variants of the 2026 Apache RTR 160 4V now feature a projector headlamp and all-LED lighting.2 mins read
Hansaj Kukreti | Mar 31, 2026Mercedes-Benz CLA EV Launch Confirmed for April 24Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the launch date for its atest EV in India which comes with up to 792 km range.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | Mar 30, 2026New Hyundai Venue Secures 5-Star Bharat NCAP Safety RatingThe second-gen Venue gets higher scores than the Tata Nexon and its cousin, the Kia Syros.1 min read
Janak Sorap | Mar 31, 20262026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 Apex – First Ride Review: The Update That Changes EverythingAfter riding the updated 2026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 for a round trip of over 140 km from Guwahati to Shillong, the new Apex variant feels like the version of the Guerrilla 450 that should have existed from day one.6 mins read
Janak Sorap | Mar 25, 2026Ducati Desmo450 MX Review: In PicturesDucati’s first-ever motocross motorcycle, the Ducati Desmo450 MX, promises extreme performance and race-focused engineering, and we recently experienced it at BigRock Dirt Park to find out what it’s really like to ride.1 min read
Bilal Firfiray | Mar 24, 2026Nissan Gravite Review: Sub-Rs 10 Lakh Seven-Seater That’s PracticalNissan has introduced the Gravite as a practical seven-seater that’s affordable, that’s easy to live with, and value for money. But should you buy it?1 min read
Janak Sorap | Mar 23, 2026Ducati Desmo450 MX Review: No Road, Only DirtDucati’s first-ever motocross motorcycle promises extreme performance, advanced technology and race-focused engineering, and we got a chance to experience it at BigRock Dirt Park to see what it’s really like.7 mins read
Seshan Vijayraghvan | Mar 21, 20262026 Renault Duster Review: The Hero Returns, But Does He Deliver?2026 Renault Duster - new design, new platform, modern tech, and most notably, the segment’s most powerful turbo-petrol engine.8 mins read