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This is how Rolls-Royce makes the world's most famous hood ornament
Southampton-based Polycast Limited has been responsible for making the Spirit of Ecstasy since 2003. It now makes about 5,500 per year.
![This is how Rolls-Royce makes the world's most famous hood ornament](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstaticbiassets.in%2Fthumb%2Fmsid-46372210%2Cwidth-700%2Cheight-525%2Cimgsize-357523%2Fsouthampton-based-polycast-limited-has-been-responsible-for-making-the-spirit-of-ecstasy-since-2003-it-now-makes-about-5500-per-year-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
The statuette starts out as a wax form.
![The statuette starts out as a wax form.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372212,width-700,height-525,imgsize-193840/the-statuette-starts-out-as-a-wax-form-.jpg)
Once the wax version is made, it's cooled off.
![Once the wax version is made, it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372213,width-700,height-525,imgsize-182514/once-the-wax-version-is-made-its-cooled-off-.jpg)
The details are fine enough to make out the features of Eleanor Thornton, the secretary who modeled for the original version.
![The details are fine enough to make out the features of Eleanor Thornton, the secretary who modeled for the original version.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372214,width-700,height-525,imgsize-295312/the-details-are-fine-enough-to-make-out-the-features-of-eleanor-thornton-the-secretary-who-modeled-for-the-original-version-.jpg)
Right down to her billowing clothes and the hair on the back of her head.
![Right down to her billowing clothes and the hair on the back of her head.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372215,width-700,height-525,imgsize-175742/right-down-to-her-billowing-clothes-and-the-hair-on-the-back-of-her-head-.jpg)
Then it's time for the real thing. First step: melt some steel.
![Then it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372216,width-700,height-525,imgsize-308668/then-its-time-for-the-real-thing-first-step-melt-some-steel-.jpg)
The melted steel is poured into a form.
![The melted steel is poured into a form.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372217,width-700,height-525,imgsize-356187/the-melted-steel-is-poured-into-a-form-.jpg)
Once cooled, the Spirit of Ecstasy is completed by hand.
![Once cooled, the Spirit of Ecstasy is completed by hand.](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372220,width-700,height-525,imgsize-310690/once-cooled-the-spirit-of-ecstasy-is-completed-by-hand-.jpg)
It's a precise job.
![It](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372221,width-700,height-525,imgsize-222417/its-a-precise-job-.jpg)
Then it's just a matter of sticking it on the car.
![Then it](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372222,width-700,height-525,imgsize-213040/then-its-just-a-matter-of-sticking-it-on-the-car-.jpg)
Now check out some cars that don't have hood ornaments...
![Now check out some cars that don](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-46372223,width-700,height-525,imgsize-1466864/now-check-out-some-cars-that-dont-have-hood-ornaments-.jpg)
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