British luxury brand Rolls-Royce has unveiled its latest bespoke creation of exclusive one-off Boat Tail, stretching both the imagination and the price tags of these beautiful creations.
Unveiled at Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este 2022, on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, the Boat Tail coach-built commission would only be limited to three cars, including the second one being revealed here.
The first-ever Boat Tail revealed last year was rumored to be made for Jay Z and Beyonce. That Boat Tail was based around yacht design, while this second Boat-Tail edition has taken inspiration from the pearl industry. At around $30 million, this edition tops the list of the world’s most expensive new cars.
The project began with a series of four pearl shells from the client’s collection, inspiring the unique color. It starts with a foundation of oyster and soft rose embellished with large white and bronze mica flakes that add a special pearlescent effect that changes subtly in different light conditions. Rolls-Royce calls it one of the most complex bespoke colors it has created.
This particular client conveyed to us the desire to create a mirror to the differing environments in which the car would be used,” reveals Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild Design boss, “and I can say with some authenticity that only a few weeks ago, we viewed the car with the client in the UK, and its tones were white and simplistic. Here, somehow it is transformed to reflect the terracotta of the scenery around it, transforming its personality.”
The hood is painted a bespoke cognac-shaded blend that incorporates bronze and gold aluminum mica flakes and includes a layer of crystal and iced matt clear coat—the darker hood and rear deck both contrast with the base paint.
The choice of luxurious materials and craftsmanship moves to the winged rear deck lids crafted from Royal Walnut wood veneers with inlaid rose gold pinstripes and a satin-brushed finish that creates a similar look to yacht decking. A matching soft-top connects these front and rear contrast elements.
The standout feature of the exterior is the vast Pantheon Grille with the Spirit of Ecstasy draped in rose gold.
Each of the two split trunk compartments houses components of an integrated picnic in the park, including flatware colored to match the car and dishes with matching accents. The build also includes an umbrella that mounts on the rear deck to offer shade from the sun.
The interior mimics the exterior design philosophy, complete with walnut veneers, cognac, oyster-colored leathers, rose gold, and mother-of-pearl accents.
The highlight is the classic timepiece in the center of the dashboard. The unique timepiece, made from the mother-of-pearl, is sourced from the client’s collection, a precious material used in the analog gauges.
The Boat Tail series emphasizes the era of coach-built cars and how materials dictate the interior ambiance rather than a smattering of touchscreens. No wonder the price tag is around $30 million, but in the grand scheme of things, it seems good value considering it isn’t merely a ‘car’ but an exclusive piece of art.
The final Boat Tail is set to be revealed next year, and just like the first two, there would be a unique theme centered around the owner while also being entirely hand-built.