On a sub-zero morning in London’s SW3, I wake up before sunrise, eagerly anticipating my ride for a very special day. Today, I’ll be heading to Goodwood, the home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. I feel rather privileged, considering it’s my second trip to Goodwood this week. In fact, just on Monday, I had the pleasure of visiting the world-renowned facility and HQ of the iconic marque on a private tour, followed by an equally special test-drive in the brand new all-electric Rolls-Royce Specter.
The sub-zero winds heighten my excitement, and in the distance, I spot my carriage: a Purple Silk Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Before proceeding, I pause to discuss the marque’s all-terrain, all-season SUV that maintains the traditions of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Under the bonnet lives a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V-12 engine, delivering 563 horsepower (592 for the Black Badge), coupled with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Above the chassis, the coachwork integrates the finest leathers and materials, creating a serene cabin. Thanks to its air suspension and an array of road computers that anticipate and respond to road conditions ahead of time, the result is perhaps the most exquisite magic carpet ride yet. And though Rolls-Royce doesn’t boast about it, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is an impressive 5 seconds.
In the driver’s seat of the Cullinan is a Rolls-Royce product expert who will also be driving me to Goodwood. He happens to be the same gentleman who drove me earlier in the week, during which I likely gained more technical knowledge about Rolls-Royce Motor Cars than in my entire automotive journalism career.
Arriving at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex after a comfortable two-hour drive, we exchange pleasantries with the familiar faces at reception before heading to sign paperwork ahead of the grand reveal. The Goodwood facility, opened in 2003, is the primary production site for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Part of the Goodwood Estate, with Goodwood House nearby, automotive enthusiasts also recognize it as the home of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. At the plant, skilled artisans handcraft each Rolls-Royce, merging heritage, craftsmanship, luxury and bespoke automotive excellence to create timeless masterpieces.
Today, I am here to witness one such masterpiece, rare even by Rolls-Royce standards. Crafted for a truly exceptional individual, every detail meticulously tailored to their exacting specifications, courtesy of the artisans at Rolls-Royce Coachbuild division.
Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is the bespoke customization division of the British marque where discerning clients and skilled artisans collaborate to create made-to-order one-off vehicles that embody the clear visions and passions of the commissioning client.
During the early days of automotive production, coachbuilding for motor cars was a common practice where the brand provided the chassis and engine, while specialized coachbuilders constructed the bodywork. Clients had significant input, allowing affluent individuals to realize their automotive dreams. Rolls-Royce revitalized the art of coachbuilding through exclusive projects and limited-edition models, offering an invitation-only platform for discerning clients to express their individuality and commission vehicles that reflect their tastes, lifestyles and aspirations uniquely.
At Goodwood, we are escorted toward the Coachbuild division, a section of the plant so exclusive that many who work on-site have never entered it. In the large hall where the Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail is displayed, the lights illuminate a magnificent piece of art. True to its namesake, Arcadia refers to a place known as “Heaven on Earth” in Greek mythology. Commissioned by a private individual whose name remains secret, the two-seater custom convertible is the third iteration of the limited-production Droptail series, taking four years to create.
Among its fine details are over 8,000 hours spent on the Arcadia’s wood sections, comprising 233 pieces and featuring the largest continuous wood section ever seen in a Rolls-Royce. The intricately detailed clock, the most complex ever produced for a Rolls-Royce, boasts a ceramic-coated minute hand and was finalized after a two-year development process, with assembly taking an additional five months. Its 119 facets of raw metal create a ‘geometric guilloche’ pattern, symbolizing the marque’s 119th anniversary in 2023 when the client first saw the completed Arcadia.
While the commissioning client remains unnamed, it’s known that the car was delivered to a mystery buyer from Singapore. Rolls-Royce keeps details such as engine specifications and price undisclosed. An educated guess suggests a slightly modified version of the 592-hp 6.75-liter twin-turbo V-12 powertrain. Design cues for the Arcadia Droptail draw inspiration from the client’s favorite global regions and residences. Inside, the Arcadia Droptail boasts white and tan leather complemented by Santos Straight Grain wood, all set against a unique white body color. The paint incorporates fine aluminum and glass particles, creating a distinct interplay with light.
While only a select few will witness this stunning creation in person, as one of the fortunate few, I can attest that the Arcadia Droptail lives up to its name, epitomizing luxury and artisanal craftsmanship, resulting in an exquisite motorcar for the ages.
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