Rolls-Royce Droptail: The Two-Seater Yacht on Wheels
Every one of the 6,000 cars Rolls-Royce produces each year benefits from the marque’s bespoke customization program, allowing clients to personally select the leather, stitching, wood, chrome, textures, and colors that define their vehicle. But the Arcadia Droptail is something entirely different.
For starters, it is the first roadster Rolls-Royce has built since the company was acquired by BMW in 2003. It is not based on any existing Rolls-Royce platform but rides on a unique architecture developed specifically for the model. Even its 6.75-liter V12 engine differs from the standard production unit, delivering 593 horsepower and 840 Nm (620 lb-ft) of torque.
Yet the technical specifications are not the real story here. The true highlight lies in the design details, beginning with the woodwork. Inspired by the world of luxury yachts, the wood surrounds the passenger compartment and extends into a deck-like rear section revealed when the roof is folded away. To ensure these wooden surfaces can withstand weather and prolonged sun exposure without requiring special maintenance, Rolls-Royce selected an open-pore veneer treated through a meticulous process of drying, sanding, and lacquer finishing.
Approximately 8,000 hours of painstaking craftsmanship were required to shape and assemble 233 individual wooden components, including 76 pieces dedicated solely to the rear deck, resulting in this extraordinary creation.
Arcadia is the third model in the four-car Droptail series. Each variant will be produced in just three to five examples. The entire collection pays homage to a nearly forgotten era when automobiles were commissioned from coachbuilders and handcrafted to a client’s exact specifications, making each vehicle a true one-off work of art.
Given that philosophy, it is hardly surprising that the Arcadia Droptail is believed to be the most expensive Rolls-Royce ever built—at least until the final model of the series makes its debut in the near future.
Bottom Line: Even if you live in Monaco and your neighbor owns a Rolls-Royce, there is virtually no chance it will be one of these.
Price: Approximately $30 million.
