Rolls-Royce’s Phantom ‘Waterspeed’ pays homage to luxury and legacy

Rolls-Royce, a company never shy to celebrate its heritage, has announced an even more opulent version of its Phantom Drophead Coupe, dubbed the “Waterspeed Collection.”

The 35 examples will leave prospective buyers cocooned in luxury, but severely broke. The car will retail for a bonkers US$732 975.

The Waterspeed pays homage to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s 1937 world waterspeed record while piloting the Rolls-Royce-powered Bluebird K3 hydroplane boat. In the 1930s, Campbell was practically the fastest man on the planet.

The exclusive vehicle will feature elegant nods to Campbell’s craft. These include hand brushed aluminium decking, hand-engraved Bluebird motifs on the door panels and a self-explanatory “power reserve” dial, reminiscent of the unit found in the Bluebird. The car, like the boat, will be coated in rather gorgeous “Maggiore Blue” paint and to complete the experience, the seats are finished in Windchill Grey leather.

Rolls-Royce is clearly built on the philosophy that too much opulence is not enough.

Under the bonnet, the company’s everlasting 6.75-litre V12 produces around 455 horsepower and 720 N.m. of torque. Acceleration and top speed figures are largely unnecessary in a car meant to emphasize the quality of the journey, not shorten the length of it.

The vehicle will be publically launched in Italy’s lake district, a few miles from where Campbell’s record was set. The press will enjoy a first glimpse of the car outside the former Bluebird Motor Company’s garage in London this week.