The Gentleman Magazine Issue 4 | August/September | Page 23

‘Sweptail’ – A distinct vision
The ‘Sweptail’ is without question a Rolls-Royce that fits to
the marque’s DNA. One’s attention is first attracted by the
confident and solid character of the front profile, centred on a
new treatment of the iconic Rolls-Royce Pantheon grille. The
largest of any modern era Rolls-Royce, the grille is milled from
solid aluminium before being painstakingly polished by hand
to a mirror finish. The periphery of the front face of ‘Sweptail’
is framed in brushed aluminium.
As one moves around to the side of ‘Sweptail’ one finds that
it is the striking silhouette that defines its unique character.
Flowing as they do from upright and formal frontal aspect, the
lines of ‘Sweptail’ resolve into a sveltely elegant form. The scale
and grandeur of this regal looking coupé is evident. From the
leading edge of the windscreen, the roofline accelerates as it
fires backwards towards the rear of the motor car, overshooting
the boot lid edge to emphasise its length.
The coup de gras of the rear is the ultimate homage to the
world of racing yachts that inspired the client, with its raked
stern. Seen directly from behind, the rear taper contrasts
strongly with the front of the motor car, shaping a completely
new perception of a dramatic Rolls-Royce Coupé.
Finishing off the uncluttered rear of this one-off motor car,
is its identifier and registration number, 08, the two numbers
milled from ingots of aluminium and hand-polished.
singular Rolls-Royce clock is also handmade of the thinnest
Macassar veneer, visually embedding the clock into the fascia,
highlighted by precision machined titanium hands. This use of
titanium then extends to all three hand-assembled instrument
dials.
Two final surprise and delight features have been secreted
inside ‘Sweptail’.
Concealed in the outboard walls on either side of the motor
car, behind the opening of the coach doors, are two identical
panniers which contain two handmade attaché cases deployed
at the touch of a button. These attaché cases are twinned with
the full set of luggage also developed by Rolls-Royce Bespoke
for ‘Sweptail’.
The coup de gras of this one-off masterpiece is as personal to
the owner as every other feature of ‘Sweptail’. The entire centre
console now houses a one-off hand-built mechanism that
deploys a bottle of the client’s favourite vintage champagne and
two crystal champagne flutes.
A most personal, coachbuilt Rolls-Royce for a specific
customer, every aspect of the material treatment of ‘Sweptail’
exudes handcrafted quality and exacting attention to detail. In
short, it is a Rolls-Royce – but like no other before.
Regal but modern interior
The cleanliness and grandeur of the bodywork from the side
view, the lengthened side windows and the panoramic glass
roof combine to illuminate the two singular occupants of
this most singular Rolls-Royce and its modern, minimalistic
handcrafted interior.
And what a place to be as one watches the world slip by
through the vast windows and roof. The interior is ruled
by a philosophy of simplicity and minimalism leading to a
distillation of componentry and a purification of clutter.
Generous quantities of polished Macassar Ebony and open-
pore Paldao adorn the interior, creating visual and tactile
contrasts for the owner, both classical and contemporary. It is
set off by contrasting light Moccasin and Dark Spice leathers
that adorn the seats, armrests and dashboard top.
True to the spirit of a transcontinental GT that Rolls-Royce
established in the 20s and 30s, in place of the rear seats is a vast
expanse of wood creating a mid-shelf with an illuminated glass
lip. Sitting under the rear opening backlight through which it
can be accessed, the hat shelf is in itself a thing of beauty, highly
polished and inset with luggage rails.
Behind the occupants, a feature named the Passarelle flows
from the rear edge of the windscreen to resolve in a teardrop as
it connects to the hat shelf to join all interior volumes.
The cleanest Rolls-Royce dashboard to date, the minimalist
ethic not only dictates that only one control now appears on it
whilst all other switchgear is discreetly relocated, but that the
clock blends seamlessly too. In a world first, the face of this
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