Rolls-Royce’s Babylonian tendencies were in full bloom as it announced the opening of the world’s largest Rolls-Royce showroom in—where else—Abu Dhabi, United Emirates. The facility is nearly 10,000 square feet and will display but five cars at a time. Admittedly they’re five land yachts, but are they really so large as to require 2000-square-foot parking spaces? At least the dealership’s architects had some room left over to cram in a coffee bar (serving Arabic blend, we presume), a vehicle-configuration lounge, and, as you can see in the pictures, a few palm trees that get to trade life under the oppressive desert sun for at least a few years in climate-controlled rapture.
A Special-Edition Model, Too
The opening of the dealership turned into a birthday party of sorts: 2011 marks the 100th year since the first Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament was fitted to Rolls-Royce cars. Goodwood thus took the occasion to unveil yet another commemorative-edition Phantom as part of the company’s Centenary Collection. The Abu Dhabi debut is a Drophead Coupé model, officially referred to as—take a breath—the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy Centenary Collection Phantom Drophead Coupé. Rolls will produce 100 Centenary Phantoms, Phantom Coupés, and Phantom Drophead Coupés; all will brandish polished “Star” wheels, Centenary wheel centers, four additional Rolls-Royce badges (without which no one would ever know it’s a Rolls), and, best of all, a solid silver Flying Lady. Inside, each of the, uh, SOECCP models feature silver interior veneers; Centenary-themed gauges, embossments, and clock; and, of course, the de rigueur commemorative plaque. A leather headliner also is part of the package, as is a cute Spirit of Ecstasy desk figurine inscribed with the vehicle’s VIN. The SOECCP models were available in just four colors, black, blue, pearl white, and “Wildflower,” with convertibles further distinguished by an Oyster White hood treatment. We say “were available” because Rolls reports that all 100 have already been ordered.
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