Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents the captivating Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail, a bespoke roadster that seamlessly integrates amethyst gems into both its interior and exterior designs, alongside the use of raw Calamander Light open-pore wood and luxurious leather. The elegant mauve automobile offers the choice to transform into an open-top configuration, marking the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail as one of the four distinct interpretations of the Rolls-Royce Droptail series. This remarkable creation was commissioned by a patron whose family enterprise has evolved from a boutique specializing in gemstones to a multinational corporate entity.
The patron’s specific directive to the Coachbuild design team was to conceive and realize a Droptail model inspired by the amethyst gem, which holds significance as the birthstone of their son and embodies values of purity, clarity, and resilience. The exterior design immediately reflects the adherence to this vision, as the coachbuild roadster’s external element takes inspiration from the Globe Amaranth wildflower, found blooming in the desert close to one of the patron’s residences. This floral motif interweaves harmoniously with amethyst gems, raw wood, and sumptuous leather, creating the captivating essence of the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail.
Meticulous craftsmanship spanning over 50 hours was dedicated to achieving the precise uniformity in finishes and an exquisite contrast between surface textures. The Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail exudes a soft purple hue with a silvery undertone, further accentuated by light-reflective powdered aluminum flakes. The upper body of the vehicle is adorned with a deep purple Amethyst contrast paint, boasting a metallic luster and a mauve tint derived from a blend of red, blue, and violet mica flakes. Even the 22-inch wheels bear a subtle touch of mauve paint, subtly visible under sunlight. The car’s lower portions, constructed from carbon fiber, receive an understated yet intricate exterior treatment.
A unique touch in the design comes from the hand-polished and hand-brushed kinked vane pieces and exterior Pantheon grille surround, inspired by the brushed hands of a historically significant horological piece, cherished by the patron’s watch enthusiast son. The dedicated craftsmanship ensures the seamless juxtaposition of various finishes, resulting in an exceptional visual impact.
Delving into the interior, the Rolls-Royce Amethyst Droptail’s cabin is a masterpiece of meticulous design. The design journey began with a sample of Calamander Light open-pore wood from the patron, sparking the inspiration for the utilization of leather treatments and the creation of contrasting leather elements sharing the same Sand Dunes hue as the wood. The dominant leather shade remains Amethyst, enriched with a pearlescent lacquer to harmonize with the car’s exterior.
A highlight of the interior is the extensive employment of wood, marking the largest wooden surface area in Rolls-Royce’s history, encompassing the fascia, doors, center armrest, and aft deck. This innovative use of wood on the aerodynamic aft deck is specifically engineered to generate downforce. Rigorous testing, including simulations of sunlight exposure and assessments of durability under extreme temperatures, have ensured the wood’s resilience. The development of patented protective coatings for the deck is a testament to the dedication to quality.
The patron’s pursuit of elegance led to the integration of rare amethyst gems into rotary dials within the cabin, crafted in a convex cabochon style. Each gem underwent meticulous scrutiny and approval. Completing the interior ambiance are woven leather floormats, paying homage to traditional weaving craftsmanship. Stepping outside, the dual-function hard top stands out: when removed, the Droptail transforms into a nimble open-top roadster, while with the roof in place, it assumes the commanding presence of a grand coupé.
The innovative use of electrochromic glass for the roof enables rapid color and transparency changes. Responding to the patron’s request, the design team crafted glass that transitions to match the Amethyst Droptail’s color scheme. The result is a chameleon-like effect where deactivated glass presents a fully opaque texture with a subtle purple tint, mirroring the car’s exterior Amethyst finish. When activated, the glass turns translucent and harmonizes with the Sand Dunes leather shade found in the interior suite.
