Friday May 11 11:18 AM ET
Rolls-Royce Recalls Vehicles


WASHINGTON (AP) - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Inc. is recalling five models after a brand new car exploded at a Michigan dealership.

The recall affects 2000 and 2001 models of the Corniche and Bentley Azure and Continental T, R and SC. Only 539 of those vehicles were made and 408 were sold in the United States.

The explosion occurred after a dealership technician put the first tank of gas in a $360,000 2001 Corniche convertible that had just arrived from the British assembly plant.

As the technician drove away from the pump and hit a switch to roll up the windows, the explosion blew out the windows and damaged the convertible top and interior. The technician and another person standing nearby suffered minor injuries, according to a company spokesman.

The Corniche was shipped back to England and Rolls-Royce engineers found the electric current from the power windows ignited fuel vapors that had entered the car.

Rolls Royce has notified owners that its dealers will fix the problem by adding an extension pipe to vent all vapors outside the vehicle.

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On the Net:

NHTSA: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Rolls-Royce: http://www.rollsroycemotorcars.co.uk

SEE! Rolls-Royce cars didn't start blowing up until AFTER their company was acquired by VW!! (just kidding!)

Yikes! If it went KA-BOOM amy better the owners wouldn't compalin, at all....

...Tracy

Wonder if Grey Poupon helps soothe 2nd degree burns?
Gilly

I dont care, I still LOVE Bentlys and Rolls Royce.

RROC for life!

Wow good thing my dad decided not to buy the bentley coupe.. :)

His Silver Spur has never blown up . :)

Alon

New model name ideas contest, I'll start:
Silver Flash
Smoldering Cloud
Phantom Phire V
Cornichextinguisher
Extravagant Cigar Lighter IX

New ad campaign. Sorry, based on my previous post:
(man in back of Rolls, to another at stop light)
"I say there, you don't have any burn gel, do you?"
(other man)
"but of course!"
Gilly

And rather than use some burlwood for dash appointments and such, they could use some charcoal or charred oak to compliment.

Vent vapors to air?
 

I thought this was illegal.

Kuan

Actually, Rolls Royce now has some great possible marketing partnerships. I can picture the slogan already:


The Rolls Royce Corniche "Weber Edition"-- An automobile that puts the flame back in your life. . .

A whole new meaning to doing a smoky burnout!

Another way to put flames on the side of it is…

What a blast it is driving a Rolls

Rolls Royce vapor cloud