Mere days after unveiling the La Rose Noire—purported to have cost its owners in the realm of $60,000,000AUD—Rolls-Royce has taken the wraps off its latest Droptail project. Commissioned by a family in the gemmology business, the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail was inspired by the birthstone of the clients’ son; an ensuring symbol of purity, clarity, and resilience.
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The exterior paintjob draws inspiration from the Globe Amaranth wildflower, which blooms in the desert near one of the client’s homes. The duotone exterior finish takes shape in a soft purple hue with a subtle silver undertone, named ‘Globe Amaranth’. Enhanced by fine flecks of powdered aluminium which capture the light to create an iridescent sheen, it’s complemented by a deep purple shade called—no surprises here—’Amethyst’ that contains a blend of red, blue, and violet mica flakes that create a unique mauve tone with a delicate metallic sheen. The latter shade graces the Droptail’s upper coachwork. Glimmers of mauve also appear on the inside of the 22-inch alloys, contrasting the mirror-polished aluminium surface.
Notably, the Amethyst Droptail marks the first time the Pantheon grille has been adorned with hand-brushed and hand-polished finishes, a touch inspired by one of the vintage timepieces in the clients’ son’s haute horology collection.
Naturally, the design incorporates actual amethysts, present within the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine on the hood as well as on the dashboard displays and rotary dials. The Spirit of Ecstasy is surrounded by amethyst cabochons, a finish ostensibly requested by the clients to avoid a conspicuous sparkle (…as the Droptail is oh so inconspicuous otherwise…).
Inside, a celebration of artisanal materials takes centre stage. A sample of Calamander wood provided by the client served as inspiration for the car’s leather treatment, with the ‘Sand Dunes’ hue matching the caramel strands of the hardwood. Meanwhile, the primary leather colour, ‘Amethyst’, complements the exterior surface and has a pearlescent lacquer finish.
The dramatic proportions of the roadster serve as the ideal canvas for the car as art concept posited by the British marque. The expansive aft deck plays host to the largest wooden surface produced by Rolls-Royce, with the material also decking the fascia, shawl panel, doors, and armrests.
According to Rolls-Royce, the wooden surface has aerodynamic properties and meets the same rigorous endurance standards as the exterior bodywork, meaning it can withstand extreme temperatures and is rain- and sunlight-proof.
Like its sibling, the La Rose Noire, the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail also features its own bespoke timepiece, this time courtesy of Vacheron Constantin. Handmade in Geneva, the Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon features a hand-would movement and is housed in a specifically designed holder that allows it to be removed and stored separately. It features a bi-retrograde display with instantaneous return of the hours and minutes as well as a bi-axial tourbillon, with The British marque and the Swiss manufacture working closely to ensure the materials and colours of the timepiece aligned with the design of the car.
Words by Henry Blake
