Phantoms Past

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today launched the facelifted 2013 model year Rolls-Royce Phantom range at the Geneva Motor Show.

Almost thirty year ago, two unique Rolls-Royce Phantoms were photographed in New York when being driven to the 1973 International Auto Show.



The asking price for this His & Her pair?

A cool US $250,000, or approximately US $1.25 million equivalent today....not for your average couple!

(Posted by Andy)

The Bentley EXP 9 F Launch

Bentley Chairman Mr Wolfgang Dürheimer presents the Bentley Motors Press Conference at Geneva Motor Show 2012, including the worldwide premiere of the new Bentley EXP 9 F SUV Design Concept.



What are you thinking of of the link the falconry? Polo is a little too common.

I wonder how long it will take for Jankel to come up with a coachbuilt version of the Bentley SUV, actually designed for falconry like with this Range Rover?



Convertible Bentley SUV with raised seats. Certainly would be all the rage in the no alcohol countries.

Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley Motors are certainly churning out the media today.

On the back of releasing the Bentley EXP 9 F, they have released a Bentley Mulsanne promotional video.

I quite like it.



How you arrive is up to you.

Good one. Drive and have fun driving, or drink and get driven. Nice safe messaging.

What I like is the subtle changes they have done.

The Bentley driver leaves the keys on the Charles and Ray Eames stool, whilst the chauffeured owner grabs his ipad from the Eileen Gray side table.



Then it's the Eames Lounge Chair in the background compared to the Ludwig Mies van der Rohe barcelona chair.



Playing with the gear knob compared to playing with the Ettinger ipad cover from the Bentley Collection here.



And the different shoes. Wait a tick. Notice it?



The model is wearing the same socks for both the Bentley driver role and the let's get your drink on and get a lift role.

Wardrobe fail. But a good ad.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II

Note quite sure if the teaser yesterday of "A New World" quite hit the mark.

What was released was the Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II.



And what is the difference you might ask?

Well the eyes of course. I quite like it that they stuck to the traditional updates alla the Cloud etc.



There is also a new vent in the front as well. A similar vent came in and out of styling in the Silver Shadows, Clouds and Phantoms as well.



Is it just me or is there an exaggerated additional line to the base of the doors?



Even the EWB version got the update.



That means that the family photo of Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II can be had.

And here it is.



Nice work Rolls-Royce.

Bentley - the EXP 9 F The Design Concept Story

Here is the Bentley EXP 9 F in real life.



It is growing on me. The side profile is good, but with more standard wheels.



The "F" stands for Falcon by the way.

EXP 8 was of course the Le Mans race car, before the winning Speed 8 of 2003.



Now to the video of the design story.



And to the driving animation of the Bentley EXP 9 F.

The Bentley EXP 9 F

So after how many years, Bentley finally reveals it's new Range Rover. Sorry SUV concept.



Still being experimental, its called the EXP 9 F.



Here are the dot points from Bentley Motors

"EXP 9 F all-wheel drive luxury Sport Utility Vehicle concept revealed at Geneva Motor Show"



"Potential for third Bentley model-line alongside Mulsanne and Continental ranges"



"Bold reinterpretation of Bentley design cues in a spacious, versatile and high performance SUV"



"A fusion of contemporary, crafted luxury, advanced in-car technology, commanding driving position and all-terrain capability"



"6.0 litre, twin turbocharged W12 engine and 8 speed transmission"

Here is a render potentially in it's natural environment, going to the shops.



And a home sweet home render for the Arab folk.



Or will it be in the Paris to Dakar to prove itself?



The side profile is oh, so Range Rover Sport. But it was always going to be.

The rear quarter panel bulge is a bit more Bentley.



The Brunei Royal family was so all over it 15-20 years ago with their coachbuilt Bentley Dominator.



Sellin product makin money, becoming common.

Wow, imaging if Bentley Motors started having end of year model run outs.

A New World

Rolls-Royce tomorrow will most likely release the first update to the Phantom.

Here is the teaser video. Would they really put the electric Phantom into production?

The Original Corniche

We are all familiar with Corniches.



And we love them.



Here is the first one, a 1939 MkV Bentley bodied by Van Vooren of Paris with a streamlined sports saloon body.



A car, in which no ingredient for effortless travel was lacking and for which series production was envisaged. They called it Corniche.



Unfortunately only her ignition keys survived a German bomb attack on the docks of Dieppe when she was heading back to 'Blighty'.



The name has lived on, as does a Bentley MKV Corniche recreation here.

(Posted by David Irvine)

1947 Revisited

Hooper, uncommonly fine coachwork. Quite appropriate.



In 1947 a very special car was made by Hooper and Co (Coachbuilders), Ltd for Nubar Gulbenkian.



Here is the 'Autocar' article on in from October 17, 1947. (click to enlarge and read)



The car has quite a distinctive curved grill/



Well, our friend Don who has a plethora of Hooper files and photos has discovered some interesting shots indeed.



The car was obviously sent back to Hooper sometime in the last decade or two for a full restoration.

As Don quoted to me, the restoration is "Not for the faint of heart..."



Here is a close up of that distinct grill body.



From this shot you can see that the curved grill is a cover over the standard Rolls-Royce tank.



This looks slighty E.T. phone home to me.





Warts and all and rotting wood.



We have no idea if it was ever completed.



Where could it be today?



Where is this car now...? Email if you know.

(Posted by David Irvine)

Bentley Parade at BDC Silverstone 2011

Kit the keys...and take a ride in a 1928 3 litre Bentley.

Watching other Bentleys.