Rolls-Royce changed the badging on three cars for the Olympic Closing Ceremony. While this hardly seems like news, these bespoke Phantom Series II Drophead Coupes are the first time the factory placed anything else than the double-R badge on a car in the brand’s 108-year history.
The new badge took its inspiration from the company’s famous Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, but instead of a flowing gown creating wings of desire, the U.K.’s Union Jack takes flight for a patriotic twist. The Drophead Coupes also feature a steering wheel center with a traditional laurel wreath and torch, and the self-righting wheel centers feature the words ‘London 2012’ surrounded by the Olympic motto, ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’ (‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’).
What makes this truly interesting is that Rolls-Royce calls this trio, “perhaps the most collectible (and unobtainable) Rolls-Royce Bespoke items ever produced.”
Those who pay attention to the classic car world know “unobtainable” usually just means wait a few decades and pay some big bucks. So while these three Drophead Coupes are likely first destine to museums and Rolls-Royce lobbies around the world, if they don’t eventually go to charity, someone will figure out how to get one in private hands. Then all it will take is another round of Olympic fever, and one will hit an auction block in time for some future summer games. The question is how long will we have to wait? 2016? 2020?
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