Unveiled just a few days ago, is the ‘Boat Tail’, a nod to Rolls Royce’s coach building past. This all-new one of one commission is a tribute to a time when discerning clients would personalize almost every detail of their bespoke Rolls Royce. Although custom commissions like ‘Boat Tail’ are few and far between, Rolls Royce sees the “Coachbuild” program as a permanent fixture within the brand’s future portfolio.
Speaking on the program, Rolls Royce Head of Coachbuild Design, Alex Innes states: “Coachbuild provides freedom to move beyond the usual constraints. Normally, there is a natural ceiling to Rolls-Royce Bespoke by way of the canvas. At Rolls-Royce Coachbuild we break through that ceiling, embracing the freedom of expression afforded by coachbuilding to shape a concept directly with our commissioning patrons.” Adding “With Boat Tail we have achieved this. We have created a trio of exceptional cars which, although they share a common body style, are each imbued with the unique, highly personal imprint of the commissioning patron, thereby telling differing stories. Boat Tail is unprecedented. Boat Tail is a distinct counterpoint to industrialised luxury.”
Despite being entirely unique, the ‘Boat Tail’ instantly reminds Rolls Royce aficionados of the 2017 Sweptail, a Coachbuild example that won the manufacturer much praise. The design of the sweptail was often compared to a J Class sailing yacht, a defining highlight of early 20th century design. An element of vintage inspiration in the design of the ‘Boat Tail’ was taken from BOVET, the Swiss watchmaking house born in 1822. Following years of close collaboration, Rolls Royce and Bovet were able to integrate a mechanical dashboard clock like never before. A passionate collector of BOVET timepieces, the commissioner of ‘Boat Tail’ was pleased to reimagine the dashboard with two fine reversible timepieces for him and his wife. According to Rolls Royce, the watches have been designed to be “worn on the wrist, or, placed front and [center] within Boat Tail’s fascia as the motor car’s clock.”
Speaking on behalf of the collaboration, Pascal Raffy, owner, BOVET 1822, commented, “I am so proud of the BOVET 1822 team, who worked in tandem with the elite design team at Rolls-Royce to produce something spectacular. These two pieces, and the mounting system, are completely unique and unlike anything we have ever done before.”
Like its older sister, the ‘Boat Tail’ contains a myriad collection of discreet features executed to the highest standard. A defining highlight, in our humble opinion is the picnic chest, perfectly equipped for a luxurious al fresco dining experience. Half of the chest is devoted to aperitifs, whereas the other half is cuisine focused. The latter half has a pleasant surprise, a set of Christofle flatware engraved with the name ‘Boat Tail’. But you may ask yourselves ‘what meal is complete without a bottle of champagne?’ Well for this, you need not worry, as Rolls Royce has equipped the ‘Boat Tail’ with a refrigeration unit complete with color matched polished surrounds to accompany your favorite vintage of Armand de Brignac. An exacting requirement of the Boat Tail’s wine enthusiast commissioner was that the refrigeration unit must have the ability to rapidly cool champagne to 6 degrees centigrade. Finally cocktail tables open on either side of the ‘Boat Tail’ and are complemented by blue leather stools, which match the interior hide. Developed through a collaboration of Rolls Royce and celebrated Italian furniture maker Promemoria, the slim-line interlocking stools can be discreetly stored.
As opposed to most Rolls Royce models, which anticipate England’s rainy forecast, the ‘Boat Tail” is optimistic for sunshine. For this reason, a parasol can be effortlessly deployed from underneath the rear centerline via a telescopic movement. With this in mind, we’ll hope to see the ‘Boat Tail’ along the French Riviera this summer season.
All images courtesy of: Rolls Royce Motor Cars
