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 takes 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 Diamond Metallic and brushed stainless steel exterior which pairs handsomely with its crème interior, complete with extensive burlwood 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 2022, the consignor lavished this exquisite Phantom with nearly $18,000 in mechanical servicing from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Cleveland, which included the fitment of two new front air-suspension struts, an airbag control module, a convertible top flag linkage, an oil change, and a four-wheel alignment.

Now indicating fewer than 8,620 miles at time of cataloguing and accompanied by its manuals, factory battery charger, two umbrellas, and service invoices, 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.