It’s no secret that no two Rolls-Royce motor cars are alike. The Goodwood, England-based luxury goods maker takes pride in its Bespoke design division that allows discriminating clients to create a car that is a reflection of their own distinct personality.
Some four years ago, a very special customer approached Rolls-Royce and made a rather peculiar request: to come up with a unique two-seat Rolls that had a panoramic glass roof. Moreover, the car had to take inspiration from the iconic Sweptail Rolls-Royce offerings of the 1920s and 1930s. After years of collaboration, the dream has finally become a reality in the form the Rolls-Royce Sweptail.
Presented at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este, this one-off creation takes inspiration from such coachbuilt offerings as the 1925 Phantom I Round Door, the 1934 Phantom II Streamline Saloon, the 1934 Gurney Nutting Phantom II Two Door Light Saloon, and the 1934 Park Ward 2025 Limousine Coupe.
Up front, the trademark Rolls-Royce Pantheon grille is rendered in what is probably its largest iteration, milled from a single piece of aluminum and hand polished to perfection. From an upright front end, the side profile flows from the windshield’s leading edge all the way through to the rear. This gives it a longish stance, emphasized even further by the equally lengthy side windows
One of the main highlights of this stunning motor car has got to be the rear end, inspired by racing yachts (which the owner has quite a number of). Unlike the aforementioned upright front, the rear tapers off, giving the impression of flowing lines. Another visual highlight is arguably the panoramic glass roof. Touted to be the largest of its kind, it is framed by polished aluminum rails that channel it towards the flowing rear. The elegance of this number is capped by its identifier and registration number 08, which is done from aluminum ingots and again, polished to shimmering glory.
Just like the exterior, the cabin is equally opulent. In fact, opulent might be an understatement, what with touches like dark ebony wood and dark spice leather complemented by lighter hues of paldao wood and Moccasin leather. There is a center console that is large enough to a bottle of champagne and crystal flutes, while the rear seat has been ditched for an expanse that could very well fit a couple of designer suitcases. And the whole affair is finished off by a simple yet elegant timepiece set to glow amid the dark veneer.
The Rolls-Royce Sweptail may be a one-off creation. Yet Rolls-Royce hints that it won’t be the last. In other more, we can expect more unique Rolls-Royces to come out of Goodwood in the years to come.
