Celebrating over a century of Rolls-Royce convertibles
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars rings in over 110 years of convertibles in an exploration into three of the its most coveted drop-tops
![Three generations Rolls-Royce convertibles are parked on a driveway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xethDjrhRiEuWJtEnrxdpb-415-80.jpg)
On a good day, with a gentle breeze blowing through the cabin and nothing but miles of blue sky above, drop-top driving is one of the most pleasurable experiences in the motoring world. The handful of early adopters that traded their horse and carriage for combustion engine motorcars would have been accustomed to canvas-topped cars with very little in the way of protection from the elements. But one particular manufacturer became known for its ability to make the finest convertibles in the world.
Enter Rolls-Royce, whose very first drop top came in the shape of the Ghost in 1906. An elaboration construction of brass, wood, steel and leather gave this prototypical limousine a charm and luxury beyond all other cars of the time, contributing to its fabled reputation as the ‘best car in the world’. Loved for not just its quality but for their famed reliability, Rolls convertibles have remained a popular choice for well-heeled buyers with a penchant for a high-profile public image. Rolls’ convertible cars were soon recognised all over the world, with one particular Ghost, the 1912 car now affectionately known as ‘Nellie’, making it into the personal collection of the Maharaja of Nabha shortly after it rolled off the production line in Derby.
With a reputation to uphold, Rolls-Royce went on to evolve the concept of the convertible, honing its models to ever greater heights of perfectionism. By 1955, its principle model was the mighty Silver Cloud, offered as a limousine and also as a two-door coupé and a two-door drophead, the latter two created by various esteemed coachbuilders. The Silver Cloud, presumably named for its majestic ride quality, could reach a top speed of 106mph while its occupants sat surrounded by swathes of the finest leather and crafted wood, enclosed in a voluptuous new steel body. Sporting high-tech options such as electric windows and rear armrest mounted speakers, the Silver Cloud represented open top motoring without compromise. With only 107 dropheads made, this particular 1959 car was originally the work of the coachbuilder H.J Mulliner and was loving restored by DM Historics in 2017, bringing the car back to its former glory.
Another half century on, and Rolls-Royce is once again in the business of making the world's best drop tops. 2015 saw the introduction of the imperious Rolls-Royce Dawn, the topless variant of the Wraith, both of which are derived from the company's four-door Ghost. With every conceivable luxury and high-tech add-on, it goes without saying that the Dawn is worlds apart from the trailblazing 1906 Ghost, save for one thing – they both stand head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to sheer luxury and presence.
Despite more than 113 years of near-continuous development separating the Ghost and the Dawn, all three of these cars share a singular quality; an unmistakable sense of superiority. Whether it’s the raw, mechanical beauty of the Ghost, the period charm of the Silver Cloud or the contemporary theatre of the Dawn, they demonstrate that Rolls-Royce is still pitching itself as the pinnacle of ultra-luxury driving, whether open or closed. While there are countless other convertible cars on the market – many with more impressive performance and rather lower price tags — none can glide along with the poise, prowess and presence of a Roller. Of course, these three aren't the only examples of drop-top car built during the company's history, but together they epitomise the evolving Rolls-Royce approach, a dedication and intent that has entered the language as a superlative. In this rarefied arena, it seems the manufacturer still reigns supreme, retaining an image it earned well over 100 years ago.
INFORMATION
Rolls-Royce Dawn, from £282,000. rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
-
This Nova Lima apartment is a Brazilian family oasis with striking Minas Gerais views
A Nova Lima apartment designed by Jacobsen Arquitetura celebrates its long, natural Minas Gerais vistas
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
The subtly revised Rolls-Royce Cullinan offers clients an instantly commanding presence
A Rolls-Royce is no longer the ‘best car in the world,’ but the best way to make your mark on automotive culture. Cullinan Series II goes even further into the world of branded storytelling and subtle oneupmanship
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Year in review: top 10 transport design stories of 2023, selected by Wallpaper’s Jonathan Bell
Jonathan Bell’s top 10 transport design stories of 2023 span from electric campers and microcars to flying yachts and classic car recreations
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Year in review: the top 10 cars of 2023, as selected by Wallpaper’s Jonathan Bell
What were the best four-wheeled offerings of 2023? Transport editor Jonathan Bell takes us through the year’s most intriguing automobiles
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Zoute Grand Prix is a car fest like no other at a pristine Belgian beachside town
Amy Serafin takes to the well-heeled streets of Knokke-Heist to experience the Zoute Grand Prix, its annual cavalcade of classic car-related events, from a rally to an auction
By Amy Serafin Published
-
Electrogenic breathes new life into this 1929 Rolls-Royce with a bespoke EV conversion
This Roll-Royce Phantom II is perhaps the most complex EV conversion ever undertaken, transforming the 1929 classic into a strong, silent EV that’ll fit right in with modern traffic
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail is a titanic two-seater many years in the making
Behind the scenes at Rolls-Royce’s Coachbuild division, we explore the extraordinary details of this bespoke commission, an open-topped speedster imbued with the spirit of a rose
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
All-new electric Rolls-Royce Spectre gives Wallpaper* the silent treatment
Bold, big and entirely electric, the Rolls-Royce Spectre makes its debut, a car that could very well be considered the best EV in the world
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Iris van Herpen infuses a bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom with her signature style
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Syntopia is a one-off project from the company’s Bespoke department, stitching the work of Dutch designer Iris van Herpen into its elegant interior
By Nargess Banks Published