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Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed collection set for debut

15 May 2014|4,038 views

Two highly fitting locations have been selected for the U.K. and European debuts of the latest Bespoke Collection from Rolls-Royce.

For the first time in the marque's history the exterior finish extends to the engine - creating a visually striking homage to the power behind Campbell's records

The Bluebird Motor Company building was commissioned in 1923 to be Europe's largest garage and was built in the era's characteristic Art Deco style.

The car is scheduled to head to the world renowned Concorso D'Elegenza at Villa D'Este on the shores of Italy's renowned Lake Como, where it will be unveiled to the public for the first time.

It was on the adjacent Lake Maggiore where, on the first of September 1937, Campbell established a world-record speed of 126.33mph in the famous Bluebird K3 boat powered by a Rolls-Royce R Engine.

The Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupes feature a number of exclusive bespoke design and engineering features, as a contemporary tribute to Campbell's famous craft.

The car is finished in a special conceived 'Maggiore Blue' paint finish inspired by Bluebird's famous colour scheme. Nine layers of paint are applied before an exhaustive process of hand-sanding and the application of a powdered lacquer - to ensure an impeccable finish.

Direct tribute to the records are paid in the glovebox

The Drophead Coupe's traditional teak decking to the rear makes way for brushed steel. Each piece of material is individually panel-beaten by hand for 70 hours, following initial mechanical pressing. The metal is then hand brushed by a Rolls-Royce craftsperson for over 10 hours.

The car's exterior finish is subtly echoed on the interior via accents on the dashboard that perfectly complement the Windchill Grey interior leather scheme. Abachi wood also makes its Rolls-Royce debut in the Waterspeed collection.

Further reference to Campbell's craft is made via a new interpretation of the 'power reserve' dial. As the driver presses on, the dial moves backwards towards a yellow and blue zone - echoing Campbell's original K3 boat. A bespoke front-lit clock adorned with Bluebird's infinity symbol and dials hewn from a billet of aluminium evokes K3 further, while the steering wheel is presented in two-tone for the very first time.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection was previewed to selected U.K. press and customers at an exclusive event on the site of the original Bluebird Motor Company - now the Bluebird Restaurant - on Tuesday.

The Bluebird Motor Company building was commissioned in 1923 to be Europe's largest garage and was built in the era's characteristic Art Deco style.

The car is scheduled to head to the world renowned Concorso D'Elegenza at Villa D'Este on the shores of Italy's renowned Lake Como, where it will be unveiled to the public for the first time.

It was on the adjacent Lake Maggiore where, on the first of September 1937, Campbell established a world-record speed of 126.33mph in the famous Bluebird K3 boat powered by a Rolls-Royce R Engine.

The Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupes feature a number of exclusive bespoke design and engineering features, as a contemporary tribute to Campbell's famous craft.

The car is finished in a special conceived 'Maggiore Blue' paint finish inspired by Bluebird's famous colour scheme. Nine layers of paint are applied before an exhaustive process of hand-sanding and the application of a powdered lacquer - to ensure an impeccable finish.

The Drophead Coupe's traditional teak decking to the rear makes way for brushed steel. Each piece of material is individually panel-beaten by hand for 70 hours, following initial mechanical pressing. The metal is then hand brushed by a Rolls-Royce craftsperson for over 10 hours.

The car's exterior finish is subtly echoed on the interior via accents on the dashboard that perfectly complement the Windchill Grey interior leather scheme. Abachi wood also makes its Rolls-Royce debut in the Waterspeed collection.

Further reference to Campbell's craft is made via a new interpretation of the 'power reserve' dial. As the driver presses on, the dial moves backwards towards a yellow and blue zone - echoing Campbell's original K3 boat. A bespoke front-lit clock adorned with Bluebird's infinity symbol and dials hewn from a billet of aluminium evokes K3 further, while the steering wheel is presented in two-tone for the very first time.