Considered by many to be the most elegant and desirable model in the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII range, the Phantom Drophead Coupe added a touch of open-air sophistication to the marque’s already exceptional flagship. The Drophead Coupe shares mechanicals with the Phantom saloon and made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 7 January 2007.

Like the marque’s 2004 100EX concept car, which it is styled after, the production cars use novel rearward-opening coach doors along with a yacht-like exterior design theme. Moreover, while Rolls-Royces have traditionally been known as cars wherein the owner is driven, this variant is undoubtedly one the owner will want to experience from behind the wheel—helping spark a modern renaissance for driver-focused automobiles bearing the Spirit of Ecstasy. A hand-assembled, silky smooth 454-horsepower, 6.75-liter V-12 and six-speed automatic transmission work in tandem to provide seamless acceleration; 60 mph comes in a brisk 5.7 seconds.

The seventh model-generation in the history of the legendary British super-luxury brand to carry the flagship Phantom name, it took Rolls-Royce technicians more than 260 hours to build a Phantom—not counting any bespoke features. Accordingly, just 261 Phantom Drophead Coupes were produced for the 2008 model year, one fine example of which is offered here.

This Phantom Drophead Coupe wears a stunning two-tone black and brushed stainless steel exterior which pairs handsomely with its light tan interior, complete with extensive piano black and brushed stainless steel trim. Finished with black carpeting, the cabin is concealed by a low-slung black cloth power convertible top with optional teak decking cover. Brushed stainless steel A-pillars complete the car’s attractive silhouette.

The sleek and modern appeal of this 18-foot-long luxury cruiser truly drives home the nautical design inspiration. Each gauge and headrest is emblazoned with the distinctive “RR” logo, never letting any occupant forget the prestige and craftsmanship inherent to this finely-finished automobile.

In November 2020, the Phantom was treated to paint correction and a ceramic coating at the cost of $5,033 by Fantastic Finishes of Palm Beach, Florida. Once completed, a certificate of lifetime warranty from the company was issued to the owner. Now indicating only 2,298 miles at time of cataloguing and accompanied by its manuals, two umbrellas, and an original window sticker, there can be no better choice for those seeking the most elegant, luxurious, characterful, and modern 12-cylinder convertible.

Over a decade after it left Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood factory, this Drophead Coupe still presents as a thoroughly modern automobile, and in the pantheon of Rolls-Royce it stands proudly amongst its predecessors.