Rolls-Royce proudly unveils the next chapter of its coachbuilt commissioned Boat Tail, a commission of three that ever have been or ever will be made.
Rolls-Royce proudly unveils the next chapter of its coachbuilt commissioned Boat Tail, a commission of three that ever have been or ever will be made.
Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
At its core, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild aims to ensure that each commission tells a story entirely unique and personal to its owner, reflecting their own history, tastes and sensibilities. The Rolls-Royce Boat Tail 2022 is set to have its official unveiling on May 21st at the Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este, on the shores of Lake Como in Northern Italy.
Boat Tail is entirely hand-built, with the body panels fashioned from vast, single sheets of aluminum to create the distinctive outline inspired by the racing yachts of the early 20th century. In every respect, this remarkable motor car is entirely unique. It was commissioned by a patron whose family business has grown from his father’s origins in the pearling industry. Widely travelled, internationally educated and cosmopolitan in his tastes and influences, the client is an established patron of the arts. Additionally, this patron owns a sizable collection of classic and modern cars, housed in a dedicated private museum.
Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Due to the client’s extensive knowledge of luxury, there is a level of sophistication clearly visible in this coveted objet d’art. The design aesthetic is an homage to the client’s father and can be summarized as a study in carefully considered materials and precise details. At the onset of the commissioning process, the client presented Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Designers with a selection of four pearl shells, personally chosen from his private collection for their unique color and complexity. The shells provided inspiration for the exterior color, which is one of the most complex Bespoke finishes ever created by Rolls-Royce.
The foundation of the color, which slightly alters depending on the lighting conditions, is a blend of oyster and soft rose, with large white and bronze mica flakes. The contrasting cognac-colored bonnet, created specifically for this Boat Tail, contains fine bronze and gold-colored aluminum mica flakes complete with a layer of crystal and iced matt clear coat, adding significant warmth and depth to the car’s appearance. The technical fiber lower sills of Boat Tail incorporate a rose gold woven thread.
Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The rear deck is swathed in Royal Walnut veneer, inlaid with rose gold-plated pinstripes with a satin-brushed finish to ensure a sensitive and sophisticated appearance. This is where Boat Tail’s unique ‘butterfly-design’ hosting suite is housed. The Royal Walnut was specifically selected by the client for its beautiful properties as it matures over time, a material that will gradually transition to the tonal properties of the cognac color.
The Pantheon Grille of the car is milled from a single, solid billet of aluminum, and of course, is graced with a Spirit of Ecstasy fashioned in rose gold.
The interior is a curate combination of perfectly matched cognac and oyster-colored leathers and Royal Walnut veneer, with rose gold and mother-of-pearl accents throughout. The leathers accentuate the surfaces and forms of Boat Tail’s seats and interior design. The transmission tunnel is formed from Royal Walnut veneer with rose gold pinstripes, drawing a direct visual reference to the rear deck and adding a glowing warmth to Boat Tail’s interior.
Photo Credit: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The centerpiece of the dashboard is a timepiece made from mother-of-pearl, chosen and supplied by the client from his own collection; the fascia of which is pure and minimal in its appearance so as not to detract from the precious material. The same prized substance graces the control switches and instrument dials, creating a strong visual and material connection between the car, the owner, and his family heritage.
“Coachbuild elevates our work as a House of Luxury into a new space; it is the haute couture of our industry,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “For the commissioning patron, it offers the ultimate in individuality, self-expression and Bespoke service. Far more than just a beautiful motor car, a coachbuilt creation becomes a legacy that embodies something extraordinarily personal and emotionally resonant for each client. For our designers, too, Coachbuild provides unparalleled creative freedom; opportunities to take design, materials, engineering and craftsmanship to the very highest levels. For Rolls-Royce as a marque, it is both a return to our roots and a contemporary revolution, in which we deliver the impossible in conventional automotive manufacturing into a stunning reality.”
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