Exhibition about Rolls-Royce’s bespoke beauties coming to Los Angeles

The SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills will be transformed into a museum when “Inside Rolls-Royce” debuts Thursday. It’s the last stop for the show’s tour about the inner workings of the world’s most luxurious bespoke car company.

The show opened last year in London and has since traveled to Berlin, Shanghai and Dubai.

Even if you don’t own a car made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (or aspire to own one), the show provides a look at what’s behind the making of the extraordinary, individually crafted cars.

Sir Henry Royce, who co-founded the British company with Charles Rolls in 1906, set the tone in saying: “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”

The exhibition brings meaning to those words. The display features some of the 44,000 shades of paint that have graced Rolls-Royce cars and a sculpture in tribute to the umbrella that’s built into each vehicle.

You’ll also see wood burls used for marquetry and custom designs for the interiors. (The company will come to your home, chop down a tree whose wood you love and use it inside your bespoke car.)

The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament is cleverly conceived in this exhibition. Visitors can spread their own wings in front of a CGI-style screen that reflects their every movement.

Leather interiors, technologies used in the making of cars and future designs are also part of the exhibition.

And there will be two or three cars outside too.

In case you’re wondering, the company’s most popular models, Wraith and Phantom, start at $290,000 each, but owners spend on average another 20% to customize their cars. Yours could be ready in three months, but if you want a lot of customized options, it could take up to a year.

The show will be displayed all around the SLS Hotel; It’s free and open to the public. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 11.

Info: SLS Hotel, Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles