Apart from it's magnificent contribution in aviation engines - from the Eagle of ~1917, the firm has the dubious distinction of having provided the first British Aviation fatality - Charles Rolls died in a French-built Wright airplane in July 1910.

The same company that brought you the Bentley rotary engines of Sopwith Camel (and other) fame, were the ones that created the excellent Bentley supercharged LeMans racers, and other luxury cars of the '30s.  Bentley was bought out by Rolls-Royce ca.1939.

Today they're separate entities once again - Bentley belongs to Volkswagen, Rolls-Royce to BMW.  No, I don't think we'll see a Bentley St. Andrews (fancy Golf) or a Rolls-Royce Mini (though it would look cool).  Maybe RR should come out with a performance coupe - call it the Merlin...

The brand new Rolls-Royce car factory is at Goodwood, West Sussex - just across the road from the airfield & motor circuit.
http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2002/June-2002/June-2002-3/June-19-02-p6.htm