Coachbuilt – more exclusive than Rolls-Royce Bespoke

Quick look

• The Droptail is a very exclusive series of ultra luxury cars made by Rolls-Royce Coachbuild. Only four units exist in the world.

• Among the four owners, it is now known that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia is one of them as his car was spotted recently.

A Rolls-Royce is a very exclusive car, costing millions of ringgit. And then there is an even more exclusive Rolls-Royce which has been specifically built for the customer (or client, as Rolls-Royce respectfully refers to such persons). This is unlike the bespoke models that already receive extensive personalisation to meet every single request that goes with the order of a Phantom, Ghost, Spectre or Cullinan.

These are the ultra exclusive works of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild. While the Bespoke department will personalise each car in virtually any way the customer specifies, Coachbuild will design and engineer an entire car to very personal requirements. In other words, a car that is not based on any other model and developed almost like a brand new model.

From another era
‘Coachbuilding’ might sound like a term from another and, in a sense, it is — dating back to the very dawn of the automobile. Before the rise of Henry Ford’s assembly lines and mass production, this was the standard method of making cars.

Through more than a century of refined craftsmanship, Rolls-Royce has cultivated a Bespoke department that has grown to be greatly appreciated by customers. This legacy of excellence allows modern owners to tailor nearly every detail of their car. It is an evolution of heritage that ensures no two cars need ever be the same.

In the past, even a custom-made Rolls-Royce faced certain physical and engineering limitations. Today, however, the brand’s advanced manufacturing techniques have unlocked a new level of creative freedom, though the process remains very costly. It represents the pinnacle of modern automotive engineering meeting traditional artistry.

Rolls-Royce protects its customers’ privacy and does not publicise its projects unless given permission to do so. It probably has undertaken a number of projects that we don’t know about but one series of cars was revealed in 2023.

The Droptail series
This was a series of four cars that were called ‘Droptail’ (instead of ‘Drophead’, which Rolls-Royce has used before). It features a distinctive open-top design, which is rare for Rolls-Royce vehicles. This design not only enhances the driving experience by allowing for open-air journeys but also adds to the car’s aesthetic appeal. The styling draws inspiration from classic Rolls-Royce roadsters of the 1930s, blending elegant lines with contemporary elements.

The first Droptail was known as La Rose Noire (shown above) and commissioned by  an American customer, while the second was the Amethyst. Then came the third one called Arcadia, which was delivered in Singapore. The fourth one was called Boat Tail.

However, it is now known that our Yang Di Pertuan Agong and Sultan of Johor is the owner of a Droptail as it was spotted on the road recently. It’s not known if this is the third one (since that unit was delivered in Singapore which is just across the Causeway) or the fourth Droptail unit.

What makes each Droptail so exclusive?
The Droptail is unique and at the time of writing, there are known to be only four units in the world. But that is not all; its exclusivity extends to the entire design and handcrafting. All four units have few similarities as each was created in accordance with the tastes and preferences of the customer.

Even the theme of the design is unique to each other. The Amethyst, for example, was inspired by the customer’s cultural heritage, family legacy and personal. His family business has grown from a gemstone boutique to a multinational corporation with diversified interests. Exceptionally well-travelled, internationally educated and truly global in their inspirations, the customer is said to be an established patron of the arts, whose collection of precious jewels, significant cars and contemporary artworks are housed in a specially commissioned private museum.

The Arcadia, which was delivered earlier, was said to be owned by someone with a distinct love for architecture and design. He (or she?) envisioned the car as a serene space characterised by reduction, material depth and tactility that would serve as a refuge from the complexities of their business life.

There’s a saying – ‘if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it’ – so don’t ask. Anyway, Rolls-Royce does not reveal such information. It is almost certain though, that the price of a Droptail is above RM100 million or maybe more.

100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom