Rolls-Royce Unveils One of Only Three Coachbuilt Boat Tails to be Ever Conceived & Produced

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently revealed the newest, ultra-limited coachbuilt Boat Tail commission, one of just three ever manufactured. The automobile was unveiled during Concorso d'Elegance, Villa d'Este 2022, on the northern Italian beaches of Lake Como.

It is the second in a series of only three vehicles, each valued over £20 million.

The striking design of Boat Tail was inspired by the racing boats of the early 20th century and is created by body panels crafted from enormous, single sheets of aluminium. It was commissioned by a client whose family company sprang out of his father's pearling industry roots. This Rolls Royce lover is also a lover of the arts and owns a substantial collection of historic and contemporary automobiles stored in a private museum.

The customer provided the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Designers with four pearl shells hand-selected from his own collection for their distinct hue and intricacy. The shells inspired one of Rolls-most Royce's intricate Bespoke exterior treatments ever developed.

The color's base is a shimmering combination of oyster and soft rose with huge white and bronze mica particles. The cognac-colored hood is accented with delicate bronze and gold aluminium mica particles and a coating of crystal and frosted matt clear finish. 

The bottom sills of Boat Tail's technical fibres are braided with a rose gold thread.

The back deck has Royal Walnut wood, inlaid with rose gold-plated pinstripes with a satin-brushed finish, and is home to the Boat Tail's distinctive 'butterfly-design' entertaining suite. The customer selected Royal Walnut for its attractive characteristics as it ages, a wood that would progressively acquire the tonal characteristics of cognac. The frosted hood and wooden back deck are contrasted by the glossy front and side views.

The front of the Pantheon Grille, which is machined from a single, solid billet of aluminium, is crowned with a rose gold Spirit of Ecstasy.

The inside is upholstered in cognac and oyster-colored leathers and Royal Walnut wood, with accents of rose gold and mother-of-pearl. Seats and interior design of the Boat Tail are fashioned from leathers with a pearlescent finish. 

The transmission tunnel is constructed with Royal Walnut veneer and rose gold pinstripes.

“Coachbuild elevates our work as a House of Luxury into a new space; it is the haute couture of our industry. 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.”

“Every Rolls-Royce Coachbuild commission is, of course, incredibly special; but in this case, there was an additional depth of feeling. Creating a motor car in honour of a revered client’s father and family history is an extraordinary privilege; a responsibility that we took very much to heart. The commissioning patron's deep-rooted connection to Boat Tail is an inspiration – the result far exceeds a means of conveyance to become, quite literally, a moving work of art."

The dashboard of the next coachbuilt Boat Tail contains a mother-of-pearl watch selected and given by the customer from his personal collection; the fascia is pure and understated so as to not distract from the valuable material. 

Control switches and instrument dials are embellished with the same material.

The previous Rolls-Royce Boat Tail model was also shown to the public during the Concorso d'Elegance Villa d'Este October 2021.

With a rumoured price of £20 million it was the most expensive automobile Rolls-Royce had ever produced and over quadruple the price of the Rolls-Royce Swallowtail.

The luxury car maker has not disclosed a pricing for this newly unveiled automobile.

To Summarise:

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars introduced the next coachbuilt Boat Tail automobile

Global public unveiling at Concorso d'Eleganza, Villa d'Este occurred on 21 May 2022

Boat Tail is the pinnacle of the brand's coachbuilding expertise

Designed by a customer as a tribute to his father and family history

Mother-of-pearl-inspired external finish and internal embellishments