Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead 2008 Overview
This is when you catch yourself saying something like: “Beauty is all around!” what you know is that the initial overwhelming thrill of piloting a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is over. Even something as mundane as a circle of concrete takes on historical significance when it comes to a handcrafted 2.6-ton land yacht that, as it turns out, has already sold for a not-quite-paltry $1.25 million.
Trivett Classic's Bevin Clayton gave Carsguide its first Australian message last week, allowing us access to the only Drophead in the country that isn't in private hands yet, although it will soon be.
This pristine example with low double digits on the watch is sent to Adelaide, where the gentleman will be the first owner of this Roller model in this quaint city.
If membership in the Australian Rolls-Royce owners' club gradually expands - Clayton expects to sell eight Phantom sedans, eight Dropheads and three new hardtop coupes due in September - he is unlikely to risk becoming less than exclusive. Of course, the sense of chance from simply approaching Drophead is unlikely to diminish in haste.
The sheer blackness of this example, set off by the distinctive polished silver bonnet, somewhat masks the imposing lines of the Roller. The longest of any modern car, the fabric roof is a custom-made five-layer roof that insulates the cabin from the noise of a frenzied crowd almost as effectively as a sedan hardtop. Indeed, as Clayton says, it's clear that Drophead remains "in the Phantom family."
Although one customer bought a sedan in addition to their new Drophead - as one does - the Drophead DNA is immediately evident upon opening the rear-hinged door.
It's a sea of Indian rosewood and cream leather polished to a mirror finish with stainless steel hardware. The exclusive atmosphere almost seduces you when you pick up the thin old-fashioned steering wheel.
Of course, the Drophead is handcrafted using the finest materials to Rolls' exacting standards and is modeled on 1930s J-Class racing yachts. Indeed, the rear deck is teak.
The lid is machine brushed and then hand finished to ensure a uniform grain.
The picnic boot has a split rear compartment that opens in two for easy access to 315 liters of space. The lower tailgate provides a comfortable seating platform for two adults when folded, opening up a luggage compartment with more luxurious upholstery than the cabins of some of the luxury sedans Carsguide has tried.
Unlike almost all of them, but very similar to its sister sedan, the Drophead pits the 6.75-liter V12's massive power against a sonic note that lives up to the Phantom moniker. Indeed, attempts to start this business after he stopped near Clovelly to take a picture turned out to be redundant. The engine really worked.
With the roof down in the tunnel, you can drive a hybrid so discreet and refined despite all its 338kW and 720Nm. Almost no Drophead is chauffeur driven, but sitting in the back benches is the most civilized experience you can have in a convertible.
Like we said about the sedan, the Roller is just too nice to leave to Jeeves.
Such is the speed with which it leaves a trail and the instantaneous response to the steering that it is impossible to believe that this thing outweighs all but the heaviest SUVs.
While less luxurious cars - and that will be all cars - can float with nauseating seasickness, the Phantom "floats" in the legendary, almost patented manner of Rolls-Royce.
If Drophead is worth more than a million, the driving experience is one in a million.
