For some, top tier luxury means having that extra special feature, engine, or badging that gets your already-commanding Rolls-Royce noticed on the road or in a Southern California parking lot.  You know, the extras that provoke onlookers envious stares whilst behind the wheel of our very own Rolls-Royce Ghost rental.  The Bespoke division over at Rolls-Royce is hard at work finalizing its next special-edition behemoth.  Rolls decided to wind some history into its Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection, paying homage to the water-speed record of 1937, set by Sir Malcolm Campbell.  What’s the connection you ask?  Well, Campbell reached nearly 130 mph in a Rolls-Royce-powered Bluebird K3 on Lake Maggiore, and in turn earned the water-speed record for Great Britain.  Rolls-Royce aims to translate that history into its latest edition of the Drophead Coupé, complete with visual enhancements and small production output.  The cabriolets will get Maggiore Blue model-specific paint with carbon fiber trim, a rare choice for the marque, as well as brushed steel trim for added flash.  The car blurs the line between yacht and automobile further with optional teak decking.  We predict the power plant will be the 6.8L V12 producing 453 horses, naturally a carryover from the standard Phantom Drophead Coupé.  Rolls-Royce’s bespoke department’s one-of-a-kind cars are usually for specific customers only, however the Waterspeed Collection will see a 35 model run.  Look for a debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show this fall.  A drive in this land yacht down Pacific Coast Highway would be an absolute treat—we cannot wait.  Until then, we stay satisfied with our own Rolls-Royce Ghost rental.

-Evan W.