Rolls Royce Phantom Zenith Collection Bids Coupe Adieu

July 27, 2016

Rolls Royce Phantom Zenith Collection Bids Coupe Adieu

I wish I knew one of the 50 people who pre-ordered either a Rolls-Royce Phantom Zenith Coupe or Rolls-Royce Phantom Zenith Drophead Coupe. Because then, we could joyously celebrate the introduction of a new addition to the car collection, whilst we sat upon its retractable trunk-stowed padded leather bench, sipping bubbly that had been chilled in its champagne fridge.

And indeed, we would not only toast the purchase of a new near half-million dollar “luxury good,” as Rolls-Royce likes to refer to their cars, but also bittersweetly to the end of the line for the current Phantom Coupe range. The Zenith Collection, a limited run of 50 of the final Phantom Coupes that will ever roll-off the Goodwood assembly line, is a tribute to the 2-door version of pomp and circumstance which is the imposing Phantom sedan, the former which debuted in 2008 and the latter in 2003.

As expected, there are many touches of elegance unique to the Zenith Collection that make the commoner “ooh” and “aah.” If any of these features impress its future owners, I feel comforted in knowing that we both appreciate the extremes of opulence that the world offers, that alas only fall within reach of the insanely well-heeled.

Machined aluminum cupholders, a new bespoke interior which highlights the front passengers through the use of contrasting shades of leather between the front and rear seats, armrest garnishments which are laser-etched with maps of Lake Como and Lake Geneva, these are well and good, but the real show-stopper sits up front in a drawer housed in the central dash.

There you will find, inside a polished aluminum case that looks almost like a pure brick of silver bullion, a piece of the Phantom assembly line, complete with coordinates indicating the exact location within the factory the piece was pulled from.

If that didn’t impress you, perhaps the mention of custom color schemes harking back to two classic Phantom models from the 1930s might? The Madeira Red and Jubilee Silver Coupes pay homage to a particular Phantom II from the 30s, as do the Midnight Blue and Arctic White versions, except these honor a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental from the same decade. All finishes are topped with a new glass clearcoat aimed at augmenting the vehicle’s mirror-like shine.

It is a bit of shame to talk so much about two cars that are already sold-out. Thankfully, Rolls is still producing the sensuous Dawn and the slightly more “realistic” Ghost, and will be introducing the next generation Phantom sometime in early 2018. Cheers, then.