Launching Into the Blue

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London hosts world debut at Bluebird Café

-13th May 2014: Kings Road, London –

Its Maggiore Blue exterior and brushed steel deck evoke mental images of a powerful craft skimming across the water. Its interior of Windchill Grey leather and open pore Abachi wood veneer is faultlessly executed. This is the Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupé, one of a limited edition of 35 motor cars created by Rolls-Royce to commemorate the record-breaking exploits of Sir Malcolm Campbell.
Such a remarkable motor car deserves an exceptional launch celebration. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London chose the Bluebird Café, formerly the site of Sir Malcolm’s Bluebird Garage, as the venue. On show alongside the Waterspeed Phantom Drophead Coupé was Sir Malcolm’s original Rolls-Royce, a vintage Phantom II, while guests also enjoyed a specially-curated display of rare photographs from the Getty Images archive.
Inspired by Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Rolls-Royce powered Bluebird K3 and K4 speedboats, the Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection celebrates the records he set between 1937 and 1939. In that time Sir Malcolm set a new water speed record four times, achieving 129.5mph on Lake Maggiore in 1937 before raising the bar to 141.740mph, a record he set on Coniston Water in Bluebird K4 on 19th August 1939.
Among those celebrating the launch was Sir Malcolm Campbell’s grandson Don Wales, himself a land speed record holder.
The centre of attention however was the Waterspeed Phantom Drophead Coupé, with features like the Maggiore Blue engine components, saddle leather floor mats, engraved armrest caps and inscribed glove box attracting many admiring glances. Even the power reserve dial features a maximum power zone in blue, not red; a subtle design touch that gives new meaning to the phrase ‘setting off into the blue’.
Find out more about the Phantom Drophead Coupé