Rolls-Royce Meteorite years to 1964 and was centred at the Acocks Green "shadow factory" near Birmingham Rolls-Royce Meteorite The Rolls-Royce Meteorite was a British V8 petrol or diesel engine of capacity, and was derived from the Rolls-Royce Meteor, which was itself based on the Rolls-Royce Merlin aircraft engine. In essence it was two-thirds of a V12 Meteor and it shared the Meteor's 60° vee angle. Meteorites were built for vehicles, for marine use and as stationary power units. It powered the Thornycroft Antar or "Mighty Antar" tank transporter and was used to transport two types of Meteor-engined tanks, the Centurion and Conqueror
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars most likely buyer was BMW, which already supplied engines and other components for Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars, but BMW's final offer of £340 million was beaten by Volkswagen's £430 million. A stipulation in the ownership documents of Rolls-Royce dictated that Rolls-Royce plc, the aero-engine maker, would retain certain essential trademarks, including the Rolls-Royce name and logo if the automotive division was sold. Although Vickers plc sold the vehicle designs, nameplates, administrative headquarters, production facilities, Spirit of Ecstasy and Rolls-Royce grille shape trademarks to Volkswagen AG, Rolls-Royce plc chose to license the Rolls-Royce name and logo to BMW AG for £40