Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
The result of a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and three patrons who share a common ambition to create something truly extraordinary, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a unique coachbuilt commission. A modern example of the historic boattail shape, the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail represents an exploration of luxury, design and culture between Rolls-Royce and commissioning clients to create something that doesn’t exist within the brand, while capturing the personal tastes and passions of the patrons.

Rolls-Royce Coachbuild
In 2017 the debut of the coachbuilt Rolls-Royce Sweptail generated a flood of interest from other clients to collaborate on a unique commission. From among those who expressed interest, a group of three patrons came together based on a common appreciation of contemporary nautical design, particularly as seen in J-Class yachts. With the debut of Boat Tail, Rolls-Royce also announces a return to its historical roots with the creation of a distinct department within the company, Rolls-Royce Coachbuild.

Commissioned From Paper
With the Boat Tail, Rolls-Royce has created a total of three cars that share a common body but — beyond the shared shape — each car is highly personalized to reflect the unique perspective of the client to create a car of their dreams. The Boat Tail commission has been in development for four years, and the three patrons agreed to the project based on a very preliminary design concept, basically commissioning the car from a paper sketch.

Active Participants
After agreeing to the commission from the preliminary design, the three patrons actively participated throughout the process to embrace the collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and to influence the direction of the automobile designs. Following the initial sketch, Rolls-Royce designers fashioned a full-size clay model, and then cutting-edge engineering technologies combined with the art of coachbuilding to create a completely handcrafted body.

Rich and Complex
This week Rolls-Royce revealed the first of three Boat Tails, tailored specifically for the client in a rich and complex shade of blue with wheels finished in bright blue. With nautical references throughout, the most dramatic view of the daring design is the rear three-quarter which encompasses the aft deck — a modern interpretation of the wooden rear decks of historical boats. Caleidolegno veneer covers the rear deck: a grey and black material typically employed for interior finishes.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail Design
Rolls-Royce says the Boat Tail presents a thoroughly modern representation of the brand via a new treatment of Rolls-Royce’s iconic pantheon grille and lights, and a heavy brow of headlights that emphasizes the car’s width. The hand-painted hood transitions from a lighter blue to a deeper blue in the center that cascades over the grille.

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail Profile
The profile of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail reveals a single, relaxed line that tapers toward the top of the rear wheelwell before reappearing at the trailing edge of the rear fender. The pinched front fenders flow back toward the base of the sharp A-pillars and wraparound windshield. The Boat Tail features a removable fixed-canopy roof as well as a temporary tonneau cover for use as needed when the roof has been removed.

Boat Tail Hosting Suite
At the rear of the car, slim horizontal taillights again emphasize the width of the Boat Tail. At the press of a button, the rear deck opens in a butterfly motion to reveal an intricate and detailed “hosting suite” for entertaining. Specifically tailored for the clients, the double champagne refrigerator has been developed to house the clients’ favorite champagnes at specific temperatures — all according to the client specification, of course. Silver cutlery, engraved with the name BOAT TAIL, was sourced from Christofle in Paris and the porcelain plates have fine platinum rims.

Personal Protection
A classic design element of contemporary Rolls-Royce motor cars is the stowage of Rolls-Royce umbrellas in the doors. A unique parasol also is housed beneath the rear center line — in anticipation of fine weather. A telescopic movement deploys the whimsically inverted canopy, ensuring effortless comfort upon arrival at any sun-dappled destination.

Suite Stools
Cocktail tables open on either side of the hosting suite, providing access to two highly contemporary minimalist stools, which are discreetly stowed below. Designed by Rolls-Royce and created by Italian furniture maker Promemoria, the slim-line interlocking stools are formed from the same technical fiber found on the exterior of the car. The stool seats are swathed in the same blue Rolls-Royce interior leather to provide suitable looks and comfort.

Boat Tail Interior
The interior leather of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail reflects the color transition on the hood, with the seats wrapped in darker blue. A soft metallic sheen gets applied to the leather, while detail stitching and piping are a more intense blue. A brilliant blue is also woven into the technical fiber elements. The interior design is modern minimalist to provide a canvas that accentuates the jewel-like features of the completely unique Bovet timepiece specifically commissioned for the Boat Tail.

Elegant Appointments
The instrument panel is adorned with a decorative technique called guilloche, found in the fine jewelry and watch industries. An elegant, thin rimmed two-tone steering wheel bears the colors of the commission. Open-pore Caleidolegno also adorns the center console and transmission tunnel. The anthracite color of the wood adds depth and contrast to the light blue and metallic sheen.

House of BOVET 1822
The client worked with Rolls-Royce and House of BOVET 1822 to re-imagine Rolls-Royce’s signature dashboard clock, creating two unique reversable timepieces — one for the lady and one for the gentleman. The timepieces have been designed to either be worn on the wrist or placed at the center of the dash as the Boat Tail’s clock. The two-sided timepieces required Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 to work together for three years to remaster the watch’s Amadeo convertible system, allowing the bespoke tourbillon timepieces to be included in the car.

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