Rolls Royce->ke74 announced today the launch of a new Bespoke Waterspeed Collection that will be applied to a series of 35 Phantom Drophead Coupés. This new collection pays tribute to a legendary record established back on September 1st, 1937.

On that day, Sir Malcolm Campbell took a Bluebird K3 hydroplane boat powered by Rolls-Royce’s R-Type engine to a top speed of 126.32 mph on Lake Maggiore on the Swiss-Italian frontier. The next, day he did even better, as he sped the boat to 129.5 mph, breaking a five-year-old world water-speed record.

Of course, this amazing result was possible, thanks to the incredible Rolls Royce engine that powered the boat, and immediately after the record, Rolls Royce managed to reaffirm the superiority of its engines. What better way to honor the record than by building a bunch of expensive cars?

Updated 04/02/2014: Rolls Royce unveiled a new set of teaser images and new details on its new Waterspeed Collection that will be officially unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Updated 05/13/2014: Rolls Royce unveiled the official details on the new Phantom Waterspeed Collection. Check the new details after the jump.

Click past the jump to read more about the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Bespoke Waterspeed Collection.

2014 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Bespoke Waterspeed Collection

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Bespoke Waterspeed Collection
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • Horsepower: 453 @ 5350
  • Torque: 531 @ 3500
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Bespoke Waterspeed Collection in Detail

Rolls-Royce has always been know for its high level of detail and perfection in building its luxury cars, and the Phantom Drophead Coupe Waterspeed Collection of cars is no different. In fact, it seems the British automaker is going beyond its normal level of build quality to fashion these 35 Phantom Dropheads in utter opulence with craftsmanship second to none.

The ‘Maggiore Blue’ paint, for example, is nine layers thick and hand-sanded before a final layer of powdered lacquer is applied. That same nautical blue extends to the engine as well, a first for a Rolls-Royce. Even many of the decorative metal pieces within the car are hand-beaten and brushed into shape before being installed.

It’s inside the Rolls-Royce Waterspeed that the real craftsmanship is seen. Hand-engraved metal endcaps on the door armrests complement Abachi wood inserts that are arranged as to resemble a boat’s wake. The same Maggire blue color is seen throughout the cabin as it accents the ‘Windchill Grey’ main interior color.

To help tie in the boat racing theme, the Phantom Coupes get bespoke ‘power reserve’ gauges. Like the power reserve gauges on other Roll-Royce cars, these count backwards to the amount of engine revs left in reserve. However, the Waterspeed editions’ feature a yellow and blue “redline” indications, just like the Bluebird K3. Unique embroidery is found in the headrests that continue the boat theme as well.