Automotive

Stunning bespoke Sweptail pays tribute to Rolls-Royce legends

Stunning bespoke Sweptail pays tribute to Rolls-Royce legends
The unique nose of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail
The unique nose of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail 
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The panoramic roof of the Sweptail is unique to this car
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The panoramic roof of the Sweptail is unique to this car
The 08 numberplate of the Sweptail is milled from aluminum
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The 08 numberplate of the Sweptail is milled from aluminum
The grille on the Sweptail is the largest fitted to a Rolls-Royce during BMW ownership
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The grille on the Sweptail is the largest fitted to a Rolls-Royce during BMW ownership
What do you think of the profile on the Sweptail? Let us know in the comments
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What do you think of the profile on the Sweptail? Let us know in the comments 
The rear seats have been ripped out of the Sweptail, and a wooden luggage area have been included in their place
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The rear seats have been ripped out of the Sweptail, and a wooden luggage area have been included in their place
The unique nose of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail
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The unique nose of the Rolls-Royce Sweptail 
One of the cars that inspired the Sweptail is the 1934 Park Ward 20/25 Limousine Coupé. Although the Drophead version is pictured here, you can see where the inspiration for the tail came from
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One of the cars that inspired the Sweptail is the 1934 Park Ward 20/25 Limousine Coupé. Although the Drophead version is pictured here, you can see where the inspiration for the tail came from
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Rolls-Royce dedicates an incredible amount of time to creating beautiful, bespoke versions of its existing cars, but that isn't enough for some exacting customers. But for one connoisseur, unique paint and contrast stitching wasn't enough – the only answer was a one-off, coachbuilt design. The result is a stunning two-door tribute to the swept-tail Rolls-Royces of the 1920s.

From the front, the Sweptail looks like a mildly modified Phantom. The real work has gone into creating a new silhouette for the car down back, where the design pays tribute to past legends like the 1934 Phantom II Streamline Saloon by Park Ward and 1934 Park Ward 20/25 Limousine Coupé. All told, the design process took four years and, well, we can only imagine how much money.

The new front grille, milled from solid aluminum and polished to a stunning shine, is the largest fitted to any Rolls built under BMW ownership. Being noticed has never been an issue for the Phantom or Wraith, but a bluff snout and polished detailing mean the Sweptail has them both covered for sheer visual presence.

What do you think of the profile on the Sweptail? Let us know in the comments
What do you think of the profile on the Sweptail? Let us know in the comments 

Moving along the side of the car reveals a gently sloping roofline. It flows all the way into the tail, underscored by a longer side window profile and gently tapering rear window for a silhouette unlike any other modern Rolls-Royce design. According to the design team, the profile has been inspired by the owner's extensive collection of yachts, but we can also see hints of Maybach Exelero in there as well.

There are interesting lines and details everywhere you look – the way the cabin tapers into a neat "bullet tip" in the center of the bootlid is stunning, and the sweeping silver detailing that connects the brake lights does a great job of framing the coachbuilt rear. Wrapping up the unique look is the 08 numberplate, milled and polished from ingots of aluminum.

Given the effort involved in creating its unique look outside, it's no surprise to learn the interior has also been treated to a complete makeover. The rear seats have been dropped, and in their place is a huge wooden shelf with an illuminated glass edge. It sits above a second wooden luggage space, designed to evoke the interior of Rolls-Royce grand tourers from the '20s and '30s.

The rear seats have been ripped out of the Sweptail, and a wooden luggage area have been included in their place
The rear seats have been ripped out of the Sweptail, and a wooden luggage area have been included in their place

The classic design ethos extends to the dashboard, which is finished in Macassar Ebony wood. All the buttons and switches have been hidden away, and the clock is coated in a slim veneer of Ebony to deliver a clean look. The whole cabin should have a light, airy feeling thanks to the full-length panoramic glass roof.

Capping the whole package off are two delightfully overblown, but hidden, touches. There are two panniers tucked away in the rear flanks, tailor-made to fit bespoke laptop cases included with the car. When the driver or passenger wants their case, they press a button and the cases slide forward to greet them – because reaching into the boot is just too much effort.

Not enough? There's a bottle of vintage champagne buried in the center console. At the press of a button, the bottle is presented (with two crystal glasses) at the perfect angle to pick up and pour. Naturally, the champagne is from the owner's year of birth.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail made its debut during Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este.

Source: Rolls-Royce

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8 comments
8 comments
Grunt
One wonders just how fast Mr Royce is spinning in his grave....!
GeneMasters
From the rear 3/4 view, one can observe a common style reference with the Corvette Stingray, and an early 1970's Buick Riviera... or even a 1930's Auburn "boat-tail" Speedster. Although appearing somewhat tail-heavy from a side view, the overall look is breath-taking.
Bob Flint
The front looks like a Mack Truck with the ass of a grinning whale, one bottle of champagne won't get you drunk enough to even accept this as a car...
LonnieHirsch
did chip foose just overhaul a rambler marlin?
Continental
Well. the tail end and rear quarter view is a huge improvement of that abomination they named the Wraith, but I think they ran out of inspiration pills by the time they got to the front end. Yes, still a tad tail heavy, but then, they did start with a Wraith ~ the second ugliest Roller of all time, after the Camargue ...
Cleetus McTavish
Hideous.
jonjaz
Wealth never had good taste nice of Rolls Royce to prove this once again.
Grunchy
These really aren't "better cars". They are more luxurious, certainly, but they cannot take the daily pounding that a good old Dodge can take (for example: and there are many other commodity makes just as good & better). These RRs have dozens of finicky, gimmicky gadgets that all require attention & service; and you don't drive it as much as be seen in it, on special occasions and in special circumstances only.