"The reaction to the Phantom Drophead Coupé from customers, the media and enthusiasts around the world has been phenomenal," said Ian Robertson, Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, as the first customer cars left the Goodwood plant last week. "We’re delighted that the cars are being delivered to customers and we’re now in full production to meet demand."

The five completed cars are destined for customers around the world, and each is hand-built to specific requirements – featuring individual wood veneer, leather and paint finish choices. All of the first five customers have also specified the optional steel bonnet and rear teak deck, the latter made up of separate solid teak slats, hand-sanded and waxed.

The two-door, four-seat Phantom Drophead Coupé, the first convertible to be offered by Rolls-Royce since the Corniche of 2002, is meant to be a less formal interpretation of classic Rolls-Royce design than its four-door stable mate. It also uses 1300 newly-developed parts that did not appear in the Phantom.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars - Strictly Copyright