1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spur on 2040-cars

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Rolls-Royce shows off bespoke Wraith with interplanetary inspiration

Rolls-Royce is dangling yet another one-off Wraith far out of our reach — so far out of reach, one might even say it's not of this world. If you've ever dreamed of rolling around in your own private planetarium, well, one lucky Rolls-Royce customer in Dubai is about to be living your fantasy.  Bestowed with the tagline "Inspired by Earth," this Wraith draws its cues from more than just the Blue Planet. While the hood is adorned with an air-brushed scene of the Middle East as viewed from the heavens, this luxury coupe's overall aesthetic is decidedly interplanetary. The first hints of this can be seen in the hand-painted solar system incorporated into the pinstriping elements on the Wraith's flanks. “WeÂ’re used to clients bringing us grand visions for their Bespoke Commissions, but this provided a new perspective altogether. In our response to the brief, weÂ’ve worked at both the ‘macroÂ’ level, referencing the Sun and planets of the whole Solar System, and the much more personal ‘microÂ’ level, centring our view of the world on the place the customer calls home,” said Rolls-Royce Bespoke design chief Michael Bryden. Bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith 'Inspired by Earth' View 9 Photos The artwork on the hood might be the highlight of a first impression, but if you ask us, Rolls-Royce buried one of the Wraith's coolest touches pretty deep in its announcement: a headliner embroidered with the solar system, floating like a magnified night's sky over the earth-themed elements of the cabin surfaces.  "The seats are made from Moccasin leather to mimic the sands of the EmiratesÂ’ deserts; Navy and Cobalto Blue accents are suggestive of rivers and lakes and Emerald Green piping symbolises nature in all its forms. Arctic White ‘RRÂ’ monograms and stitching hint at clouds and translucent running water," the announcement says.  The result creates the impression of gazing toward the heavens from Earth, which sounds like a tranquil cure for standstill traffic.  Related Video:

A 1985 Ford Escort for $915,000? If it was owned by Princess Diana

What makes a used car worth more than the car itself? If it was owned by John Lennon. Or Muhammad Ali. Michael Schumacher, perhaps, or Stirling Moss. This year’s edition from the Hagerty organization of its “Power List” makes for amusing reading even if youÂ’re not on it. But you can make believe that you are. Essentially, the list, which was launched only last year, tracks the impact of celebrity ownership of a vehicle on its value, as measured by its worth at auction. Nearly 400 sales of celebrity cars and bikes have been analyzed from around the world by Hagerty using market data and “expert” analytics. Hagerty is aware, certainly, that famous folks — from royalty, sports, movies and music — grab gobs of attention from ordinary people. ThatÂ’s why the 2023 Power List comprises these categories: Art Cars, Racing Drivers, Movies and TV, Musicians, Royalty, Screen Stars, Sporting Icons. But you don't have to be a rock star or a F1 pilot to get listed: Princess Diana, besides an Escort Turbo RS that she owned between 1985 and 1988, numbered a convertible 1994 Audi 80 Cabriolet and a Jaguar XJS Cabriolet among her rides. HereÂ’s a look at some of the more notable entries: Racing driver category: In pole position was an unlikely titleholder, a 1976 Ford Bronco. This was the car bought new by legendary Canadian Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve and untouched since his death; it sold at the Aguttes auction in Paris last December for $148,000, a huge 210% increase over the $47,800 that Hagerty would value a regular example in the same condition. Just a note: The list doesnÂ’t include race cars, only vehicles kept privately by the drivers. Musicians: A 1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow had been Freddie MercuryÂ’s personal chauffeur-driven transport from 1979 until his death in 1991. Without celebrity ownership, Hagerty would value the Silver Shadow at a lowly $9,500, a car that would take a lot of time, effort and money to restore properly. But add in MercuryÂ’s aura and bids ended at $362,500. “ItÂ’s no surprise that MercuryÂ’s car dominated our Musicians list on the 2023 Hagerty Power List,” the company said. Movies and TV: For those readers now emerging from hibernation since 1968, the news is that the historic Highland Green Mustang from “Bullitt” remains at the top of the Power List for the second year running.

Rolls-Royce Phantom DHC gets special Nighthawk treatment

We see info on a lot of special edition Rolls-Royces coming across our desks here at Autoblog, and most of them are destined for some far-flung Asian market. But not this one. This one is just for North America. It's called the Nighthawk edition, and it's based on the Phantom Drophead Coupe (Rolls-speak for "convertible"). It made its debut in Phoenix during the Super Bowl, but Rolls has just released the full skinny on it now. Limited to just nine examples, the Rolls-Royce Phantom DHC Nighthawk edition is "inspired by the sleek yet bold designs of stealth aircraft," the most iconic of them known as the F-117 Nighthawk. The Rolls cabrio features a metallic black paintjob with a matte black hood and windscreen frame and an interior decked out in carbon fiber trim, black and red leather and instruments with glowing orange tips. It's a stark take on a decidedly luxurious automobile, and only goes to show the extent to which the Rolls-Royce Bespoke department can transform one of its vehicles. ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM 'NIGHTHAWK' MAKES A BOLD NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT IN PHOENIX ARIZONA The latest Rolls-Royce exclusively created for North American customers has arrived in Arizona this evening. The first of nine Phantom Drophead Coupe 'Nighthawk' Bespoke Collection cars hit the streets of Phoenix, featuring bold design and a low profile inspired by stealth technology in modern aerospace development. 'Nighthawk' features a combination of modern materials and subtle colour to create a new contemporary interpretation of a classic Rolls-Royce motor car. Following its first public drive in Phoenix, Arizona this evening, 'Nighthawk' will be on display to millions of Americans during the festivities surrounding Super Bowl XLIX. Phantom Drophead Coupe 'Nighthawk' Collection These nine stunning Phantom Drophead Coupes showcase the unique design capabilities of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' Bespoke team, and are now available through the company's 41 North American retail dealers. Inspired by the sleek yet bold designs of stealth aircraft, 'Nighthawk's' designers have used cutting edge technology and materials to ensure the stunning Rolls-Royce Phantom Bespoke Drophead Coupe will not go unnoticed. Incorporating the latest design and technology with the super-luxurious hallmarks of the brand, 'Nighthawk' features a lustrous Diamond Black Metallic paint with a Matt Diamond Black bonnet. The windscreen surround design is inspired by radar-absorbent material (RAM) coating used in aviation.