Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has just unveiled its latest masterpiece, the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail. This extraordinary motor car is a true work of art, combining a stunning mix of materials and meticulous craftsmanship. From the moment you lay eyes on it, you’ll be captivated by its beauty. The client behind this commission has a deep appreciation for architecture and design, and together with Rolls-Royce, they have created something truly remarkable.
The primary color chosen for the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail is white, but it’s not just any ordinary white. It’s a multi-layered hue that incorporates different materials and shades, giving it a mesmerizing shimmer when the light hits it just right. One of the standout features of this car is the meticulously made timepiece in the cabin. It features a unique geometric guilloché pattern in raw metal with an astonishing 119 facets. It’s a true testament to the attention to detail that Rolls-Royce is known for.
But it’s not just the interior that’s impressive. The exterior of the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail is equally stunning. Rolls-Royce’s specialists have developed a faceted metallic finish using larger aluminum particles, creating a beautiful contrast between the Bespoke silver underneath and the white color. The lower sections of the car are constructed using carbon fiber, painted in solid Bespoke silver, adding a touch of modernity to the design.
Every aspect of this motor car has been carefully considered. The exterior grille, kinked vane pieces, and 22-inch alloy wheels have been fully mirror-polished, reflecting the world around them. And to further enhance the subtle design cues, Rolls-Royce has applied muted paint colors along the car, allowing sunlight to play with shadows and create a truly mesmerizing effect.
Wood plays a significant role in the construction of the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail, a series that prominently features this material, as seen in Rolls-Royce’s Amethyst model. Collaborating closely with the car manufacturer, the client provided references from various architectural structures, residences, and classic cars to guide the creation of a motor car that showcases the texture, grain, color, and opulence of wood. After careful consideration, Rolls-Royce opted for Santos Straight Grain, a dense hardwood, as the ideal material. However, the artisans had to exercise caution during the assembly process, as this type of wood is prone to tearing or cracking when machined or dried. Throughout the Arcadia Coachbuilt Droptail, Santos Straight Grain is utilized extensively, with a total of 233 wood pieces employed, including 76 pieces exclusively for the rear deck.
Considering that the client intends to drive the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail in various cities, Rolls-Royce must account for the potential reactions of the Santos Straight Grain wood to different climates. To address this concern, the design team devised a protection system and testing procedure for the exterior wood surfaces. They developed an in-house Bespoke lacquer that only requires a single application throughout the lifetime of the motor car. Initially, the design team explored coatings used on superyachts but dismissed them due to the need for regular maintenance and re-application. To ensure the endurance and durability of the wood and protective coating, over 8,000 hours were dedicated to their development. This involved subjecting the wood pieces to cycles of testing, including intermittent water spraying, drying in darkness, and exposure to heat and bright light.
The exterior of the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail showcases a brilliant display of aluminum and glass particles, while the cabin boasts 233 lacquered wood pieces that gleam under the light. One of the standout features is the intricately designed clock face within the cabin, a creation by Rolls-Royce Coachbuild designers and craftspeople. This clock face is hailed as the most complex ever produced by the team, with a meticulous assembly process that spanned five months and a development phase lasting two years. The clock itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring a geometric guilloché pattern with 119 facets in raw metal. The bespoke design includes hands and 12-hour markers that are partly polished and partly brushed, each measuring a mere 0.1mm in thickness.
The clock face of the Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail embraced by Rolls-Royce’s design team. Each hour marker is meticulously hand-painted using a high-powered camera capable of magnifying images up to 100 times, ensuring that every stroke is precise and distinct. The minute marker, on the other hand, is coated with ceramic to enhance its durability and longevity, a technique that Rolls-Royce believes will preserve its aesthetic appeal over time. Laser etching was used to selectively remove small sections of the ceramic coating, revealing the lustrous aluminum material beneath, including the bespoke ‘double R’ monogram. These components were individually machined from a solid stainless-steel billet and meticulously polished by hand before being assembled into the exquisite timepiece.
To complete the customized Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail, the interior is infused with a white color scheme, featuring a leather finish in two distinct Bespoke shades exclusively created for the client. The primary leather color, known as Bespoke White, is not only present on the inside but also extends to the exterior. In contrast, the complementary leather color is a Bespoke Tan shade, which harmonizes with the Santos Straight Grain wood accents. Remarkably, the Rolls-Royce motor car showcases an expansive wooden section at the rear deck, possibly the largest one ever produced by the brand. Each wood piece was meticulously positioned using CAD tools, resulting in individually shaped leaf stripes. To ensure stability and durability, the design team employed carbon fiber layering techniques, reminiscent of those utilized in Formula 1 motor racing, for the dashboard, door linings, and central cantilevered ‘plinth’ armrest. This approach guarantees that the foundation remains sturdy and resilient, capable of withstanding demanding conditions.
The Arcadia Coachbuild Droptail is a true masterpiece, a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation that Rolls-Royce is renowned for. It’s a car that demands attention and admiration, a symbol of luxury and elegance.