Rolls-Royce 102EX: a symbol of electrified luxury

Quite as per expectation, Rolls Royce have brought the 102EX Concept into the limelight at the Geneva Motor Show. The 102EX Concept is also known as the full-electric version of the Phantom flagship sedan. Practically with no detailed description about the car, the British manufacturers make the statement that the 102EX was conceptualized to have in a bank of owner research in 2011 and to estimate if Rolls Royce customers would mind having such a coupe in their garage. Rolls Royce says that the test of the 102EX Concept would be held worldwide, that indicates that the car can be seen at places like Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

The car will undergo a series of test drives. Rolls Royce performs the tests in order to gather feedback sufficient to decide upon a possible production version. All the comments that would be posted regarding the 102EX Concept would be collected via a web portal of the name electricluxury.com that will also gauge the car’s progress in the form of a chart that will be collected throughout the year.

People who visited the Geneva Motor Show will be able to see at the firm’s booth two Ghost models kept at display. For people who are unknown of when the Ghost was launched, the fact says that it dates back to 2009 and ever since it has only collected applauds and praises for its impressive driving characteristics, luxurious interiors and unsurpassed ride comfort.

Source: 4wheelsnews

Here's another car I'd never heard of, the "Chinese Eye" 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud

Read about it http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/1965-rolls-royce-silver-cloud-chinese-eye-drophead-coupe-and-its-for-sale/ but it doesn't say if this was a coachbuilt custom, or a factory design

Before and after photos of the incredibly unusual 1925 Jonckheere Rolls-Royce Phantom Aerodynamic Coupe

the Raja of Nanpara Estate had already contained a polished aluminum 40/50HP Silver Ghost when he ordered Rolls-Royce’s latest Phantom. Upon arrival, the owner probably didn’t like the conventional Hooper cabriolet bodywork because it was eventually scrapped and replaced with what you see here.

Almost 10 years old, this rolling chassis was then shipped to Belgium to the shop of Henri Jonckheere and his son Joseph Jonckheere. They were well known throughout Europe for making bodies on both cars and busses. The later of which is still in production today as VDL Jonckheere. The commissioning owner of the car is uncertain due to war damage at the factory, but the design is not. The Jonckheeres created an extravagant body which has just as much impact 75 years after its constuction as it did in 1935. The car was finished in time for the Concours on the French Riviera where it won the ‘Prix de Cannes’ award.

The doors, which are actually oval, required two half-moon pieces of glass that closed towards each other within a complex winding mechanism. Other details included sliding left and right sun vents, a sloping fastback profile and an enormous rear tail fin. It was also one of the few Phantom Is which featured a modified front grill.

Eventually the car made its way stateside and was saved by Max Obie fro $8500 before being scrapped. He restored the car in a brilliant hue of metallic gold and refurbished details like the silk headliner and seats that folded into beds. From here, the car was shown as a sideshow at fairs where anyone with a dollar well spent could have viewed the Coupe. After its freakshow days were numbered, the golden behemoth was stored away for long time.

In the 1980s, the car was resurrected and sold at auction. The description incorrectly listed it as “the 1954 World Motorsport winner in NY” and “Built for Prince of Wales”. With just 5000 miles on the odometer, it was picked up by a Japanese collector for $1,500,000 USD who retained the car for 20 years

Before photo from http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=428585

Info from http://www.supercars.net/cars/4054.html

Somebody got bored with their Rolls Centurion (half million dollars), kicked it to the gutter. Like I've said before, rich people are stupid

Notice that this is the same car below, same licence plates.

from http://autozine.com.br/fotos/rolls-royce-abandonado#more-4460

1939 Rolls Royce Phantom III Labourdette Vutotal

Rebodied in 1947 by Labourdette of Paris, this Phantom III was the designer's last and arguably most daring work. It was commissioned by the flamboyant Louis Ritter who let Labourdette go all out, so much so, the body alone cost $44 000 which made it one of the most expensive of its time- equal to around $375 000 in 2003

After it was transformed into Labourdette’s creation, the car was sold off to different owners, including a New York plastic surgeon, a drug dealer who ended up in a Cuban prison and even S. Mars, possibly of the candy empire. In the winter of 2005 John W. Rich of Pottsville, Pennsylvania purchased the car for his extensive collection.

this car was at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours

read about http://www.supercars.net/cars/3606.html

photos from http://www.tuningforum.cz/viewtopic.php?f=112&t=78130 via http://stipistop.com/