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Rolls-Royce Drophead sexy


So what do you buy when you've got a lazy million or so to drop on a ride? A sensible answer to that question may be several cars to cover all occasions — say, a BMW 335i coupe, a 911 Carrera S, a Maserati GranSport and a Bentley Arnage. Not much chance of getting caught short with that combo.

But for 200 people on this planet in the next 12 months, it will be a Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, the two-door/four-seat convertible whose local launch was held in Melbourne.

For the truly selective, just 25 will be built, only a Rolls-Royce Silver Phantom will make the grade.

Two of these ultra-exclusive Rollers, produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the original Silver Ghost, have been designated for Australia.

One is already sold, and the other is the subject of intensive inquiry at Trivett Classic Sydney.

Price, as they say, on application.

This modern homage to the Silver Ghost, which was built between 1907 and 1925 and attained legendary status in its own lifetime, is finished in a new bespoke paint, Metallic Ghost Silver.

Its 21-inch wheels have chrome centres, and on top of the grille sits a hallmarked, solid-silver Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.

Inside, Rose Leaf or Creme Light leather is accompanied by seat piping and headrests embroidered with the R-R emblem.

Straight-grained Santos Palisander wood veneer is used throughout. The same veneer is also used on a specially designed presentation box that contains the key, two solid-silver key fobs and a specially commissioned solid-silver Conway Stewart fountain pen.

Don't, in other words, go parking it overnight on the street.

Comparatively commonplace, the Drophead Coupe is the real-life manifestation of the 100EXconvertible concept.

“It has received an overwhelming response, with our 2007 production fully allocated and only a few build slots left for 2008,” Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific regional director Colin Kelly says, reassuring those who may have thought it in danger of Corolla-like ubiquity.

“It's entirely true to the values of Rolls-Royce and attracts a new segment of discerning clients.”

Although R-R reckons more than half the orders placed for the Drophead are from customers who have never owned a Rolls-Royce, it's some way beyond your and my humble understanding of 'entry-level.'

The Drophead is, of course, hand-crafted using top-drawer materials to R-R's exacting standards and is modelled on the J-class racing yachts of the 1930s.

Indeed, there's a rear deck of teak. The bonnet is machine-brushed before being hand-finished to ensure a uniform grain throughout.

A picnic boot has a split tail compartment that opens in two parts, giving easy access to 315 litres of space. The lower tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when it's folded down.

A fabric hood, the largest on any modern convertible car, uses five layers of material to insulate the interior.

Coach-style, rear-hinged doors let you step aboard elegantly rather than fall into the the car.

At the heart of this uber-ragtop is a 6.75-litre V12 that produces most of its 338kW from just 1000rpm. Shorter than the existing Phantom, the Drophead should also outstrip its 6.1-second sprint time to 100km/h.

Price? If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

But, since you did, it's $1.19 million. Plus on-roads, of course.

 

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