This is how Rolls-Royce makes the world's most famous hood ornament

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Jul 26, 2021, 12:45 IST

Southampton-based Polycast Limited has been responsible for making the Spirit of Ecstasy since 2003. It now makes about 5,500 per year.

Southampton-based Polycast Limited has been responsible for making the Spirit of Ecstasy since 2003. It now makes about 5,500 per year.

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The statuette starts out as a wax form.

The statuette starts out as a wax form.


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Once the wax version is made, it's cooled off.

Once the wax version is made, it's cooled off.

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.
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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.

Then it's time for the real thing. First step: melt some steel.

Then it's time for the real thing. First step: melt some steel.


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The melted steel is poured into a form.

The melted steel is poured into a form.


Once cooled, the Spirit of Ecstasy is completed by hand.

Once cooled, the Spirit of Ecstasy is completed by hand.


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It's a precise job.

It's a precise job.


Then it's just a matter of sticking it on the car.

Then it's just a matter of sticking it on the car.
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Now check out some cars that don't have hood ornaments...

Now check out some cars that don't have hood ornaments...

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