Rolls-Royce has unveiled its latest ultra-exclusive “Collection Car” at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – a multi-day show and promenade held every year on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Called the Wraith Eagle VIII, the limited edition uber-luxurious car has been crafted by the Bespoke Collective at the House of Rolls-Royce. Limited to just 50 examples worldwide, it marks the 100th anniversary of one of the most crucial events from the history of aviation. Rolls-Royce says the Wraith Eagle VIII has been created to “tell the epic tale of one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century” – the first non-stop transatlantic flight. British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown in June 1919 took off from Newfoundland, Canada, in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy aircraft. They landed in Clifden, Ireland, nearly 16 hours later creating history. The aircraft was powered by two 20.3-liter 350 horsepower Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. It is from this remarkable engine that the limited edition car takes its name. “Wraith Eagle VIII is at once an object of desire; an homage to heroes and a protagonist to today’s visionaries,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “This Rolls-Royce Collection demonstrates the extraordinary skill of our Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex.”
The limited edition Rolls-Royce features an elegant and evocative two-tone paint scheme of Gunmetal with a Selby Grey, separated by a brass feature line. The black grille vanes are reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine cowling on the Vickers Vimy aircraft. The theme is continued inside the cabin with Selby Grey and black leather, with brass accents. Brass speaker covers show the estimated flight distance of 1880 miles, while brass is also present on the door panniers. The eucalyptus wood dash features gold, silver and copper inlays depicting a view of the earth from above at night The starlight headliner, on the other hand, has the exact celestial arrangement at the time of the flight. The flight path embroidered across it in brass thread. No pricing details have been revealed for the Wraith Eagle VIII, neither did Rolls-Royce reveal if the 50 examples have been all sold or not.
