Carlsbad/Stuttgart, June 15, 2023

CreatingIconicLuxury: The Mercedes-Benz brand history is a source of inspiration for the future.

From the three-pointed star to gullwing doors and cab-forward design: over the decades, the Mercedes-Benz design
teams have created and established iconic elements. These are unmistakably associated with the brand,
shaping the Mercedes-Benz myth and creating desire. The Mercedes-Benz design team will continue to
develop the brand’s iconic style to further strengthen this heritage and carry it into the future.

PinnacleOfExclusivity: Exceptional customisation options, one-offs from collaborations, limited collector’s

and special editions, pioneering show cars and research and concept vehicles are the epitome of exclusivity
for Mercedes-Benz.

IDCCarlsbad: The Mercedes-Benz Design Centers provide important impetus for the continuous

development of the design philosophy of sensual purity and for setting trends with new design ideas. At the
International Design Center Carlsbad, the Mercedes-Benz design Team creates show car exteriors, vehicle
studies and mobility concepts for tomorrow and beyond. It does this by picking up on stylistic trends on site,
then analysing and creatively implementing them.

The Californian lifestyle influences the site just as much as
its proximity to Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America. A very special form of creativity
flourishes in Carlsbad, leaving its mark on Mercedes-Benz design and opening up new perspectives.

VisionOneEleven: With the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven, the brand presents a concept sports car that

progressively reinterprets the C 111, a brand icon of the 1970s. Much like its historic predecessor, it
combines stunning design with the most innovative drive technology. The Vision One-Eleven makes use of
axial flux motors from YASA, which have an unmatched power density far beyond comparable radial motors,
while being extremely lightweight.

ExclusiveCollection: Mercedes-Benz is launching the “LIMITED EDITION 1 OF 111” collection along with the

Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven. This is the first time that an iconic design study has been accompanied by
a lifestyle collection consisting of five exclusive pieces. In addition to the striking colour of the concept sports
car, the individual accessories also reflect the vehicle’s characteristic design elements.

AugmentedReality: The Mercedes-Benz design team used augmented reality (AR) to create a visionary user

experience for the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven and integrated it into a virtual test
model of the Vision One-Eleven interior. The physical vehicle interior and the digital interface merge
seamlessly, so that virtually the entire car becomes a user interface.

  • To create the fastest road-legal car on the Nürburgring Nordschleife
  • Power-to-weight ratio of roughly one hp per 2.2 lbs. (1 PS per kilogram)
  • Significantly more downforce than the current 911 GT3 RS
  • Charges roughly twice as quickly as the Taycan Turbo S

At Porsche, innovative concept cars have always laid the groundwork for the future. The sports car manufacturer is continuing this tradition with this latest concept study. Mission X is a spectacular, conceptual reinterpretation of a hypercar, with Le Mans-style doors that open upwards to the front and an ultra high-performance, efficient electric powertrain.Atlanta. Celebrating 75 years of Porsche sports cars, the storied marque today revealed its newest concept car: the Mission X. As a design study, not offered for sale, with production to be decided in due time, the Mission X is a glimpse into what the sports car of the future could look like.

“The Porsche Mission X is a technology beacon for the sports car of the future. It picks up the torch of iconic sports cars of decades past: like the 959, the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder before it, the Mission X provides critical impetus for the evolutionary development of future vehicle concepts,” says Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Daring to dream and dream cars are two sides of the same coin for us: Porsche has only remained Porsche by constantly changing.”

Michael Mauer, Head of Style Porsche, says: “The Mission X is a clear commitment to the core of the brand. The continuing, enhanced expression of our brand and product identity is an important compass for us to navigate the development of our series-production models. The concept study symbolizes a symbiosis of unmistakable motorsport DNA with a luxurious overall impression.”

Measuring approximately 177 inches long and 78.7 inches wide, the Mission X concept study is a relatively compact hypercar. With a wheelbase of 107.4 inches, it has the dimensions of the Carrera GT and 918 Spyder. For aerodynamic purposes, the concept car has staggered tires, with 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

Design: classic brand elements reinterpreted
The Mission X represents the pinnacle of performance and modern luxury. At the same time, its sculpted form and muscular lines demonstrate that hypercars do not have to look aggressive. The low-slung body, which is less than 47.2 inches tall, is finished in Rocket Metallic – an elegant paint color specially designed for the concept study. Design elements in a carbon fiber are found below the beltline. These components have a satin finish and are therefore slightly colored, but their material structure remains recognizable.

The wheels of the concept study feature elaborate details: the rear axle is fitted with almost transparent aero blades, which are designed like turbines for better cooling of the brakes.

A lightweight glass dome with an exoskeleton made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) extends over both occupants. Le Mans-style doors are attached to the A-pillar and the roof; they open forwards and upwards. This type of door was previously used on the legendary Porsche 917 racing car. Another eye-catcher is the light signature: for the Mission X, the designers have reinterpreted the characteristic Porsche four-point graphic. The vertical base form of the headlights was inspired by historic racing cars such as the Porsche 906 and 908 and drawn well down towards the road. A high-tech support structure frames the LED light modules and presents the exposed narrow elements of daytime running lights and indicators. When activated, the light opens up like an eye blinking open. Fully illuminated, the headlights make a confident statement.

A full-length light unit that appears to float characterizes the rear of the Mission X. Transparent, illuminated Porsche lettering is a standout feature. The sculptural rear light emerges, as if suspended in the air, from a support structure and extends across the entire width of the vehicle in four segments. While charging, the ‘E’ of the Porsche lettering pulses.

One special detail is the modernized Porsche crest, which makes its debut on the Mission X. Brushed precious metal, a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, a refreshed heraldic beast and more subtle gold color – on close inspection, these are the differences between the modernized Porsche crest and its immediate forerunner. With its cleaner and more state-of-the-art execution, the refined crest communicates the character of Porsche. On the Mission X, it is found on the hood and steering wheel as well as in monochrome form on the wheel centers.

The driver focus can be seen in the asymmetry of the interior and its color concept. The two seats are colored differently. Apart from the leather pads in Andalusia Brown, the driver’s seat is Kalahari Grey and forms a single unit of color with the center console and the dashboard. The passenger seat is in the contrasting Andalusia Brown shade. Beyond the CFRP seat shells, and their six-point seatbelts integrated into the monocoque, further motorsport parallels include the open-top steering wheel, which has mode switches and shift paddles. There are multiple cameras on board. Recording starts as soon as the driver presses the Record button (REC) on the multi-purpose controller.

Another highlight is found on the passenger side, where there is a bayonet system embedded in the instrument panel to which a stopwatch module can be attached. For the Mission X, Porsche Design has created a special stopwatch module with an analogue and digital display. The clocks are designed for both racetrack and rally use and can display the lap times or vital data of the driver, among other information.

Technical vision: top marks in power-to-weight ratio, downforce and charging performance
Porsche exemplifies e-performance yet is also a pioneer in sustainable mobility. The concept study meets both objectives in full measure. If the Mission X goes into series production, then it should:
• be the fastest road-legal vehicle around the Nürburgring Nordschleife
• have a power-to-weight ratio of roughly one hp per 2.2 lbs.
• achieve downforce values that are well in excess of those delivered by the current 911 GT3 RS
• offer significantly improved charging performance with its 900-volt system architecture and charge roughly twice as quickly as the current Porsche frontrunner, the Taycan Turbo S

The battery is installed centrally behind the vehicle’s seats. This ‘e-core layout’ centers the mass in the car. As with a conventionally powered mid-engine car, this provides the basis for excellent agility.

Predecessors: innovative super sports cars from Porsche
The fastest series-production car of its time; first series-production Porsche to be made of carbon fiber, and the first road-legal vehicle to beat the seven-minute mark on the Nürburgring Nordschleife – the Porsche 959 (1985), Carrera GT (2003) and 918 Spyder (2013) were milestone models in the world of super sports cars. And that makes them the conceptual forerunners of the Mission X.

In 1985, the Porsche 959 made its debut as a technology platform. Its 443 hp six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine, combined with an aerodynamically optimized body, propelled the super sports car to a top speed of 197 mph – then the world record for a series-production sports car.
With its V10 engine and 605 hp, fierce design and, not least, its incomparable driving experience, the Porsche Carrera GT remains an icon among super sports cars to this day.

Porsche hybrid technology reached a spectacular zenith with the 918 Spyder. In September 2013, the 887 hp two-seater was the first road-approved vehicle to crack the seven-minute barrier on the 12.8-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife, completing the lap in 6:57 minutes. Porsche aims to stay true to this standard of the highest e-performance: our vision, should the Mission X go into series production, is for it to be the fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
On our press microsite for the Porsche Mission X you will find both the detailed press kit and a generous selection of additional photos and video

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA
Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 197 independently owned and operated Porsche Centers in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.



D50 Coupé, the new flagship of the Barcelona-based brand

De Antonio Yachts will present the D50 in its new Coupé version at the Düsseldorf Boat ShowDuring the Düsseldorf Boat Show, De Antonio Yachts will present the World Premiereof the new D50 Coupé model, a unique design that exceeds all expectations in its lengthand reinvents the walkaround concept.

Based on the D50 Open and inheriting thewaterlines of its predecessor the D46, European Boat of the Year winner, it offers impressivesailing performance in a perfect combination of sportiness and efficient cruising powered by hidden outboard engines in 4-unit 350hp or 400hp or 2-engine 600hpcombinations.

The new flagship of the Barcelona brand stands out for its stylised superstructure, whichfurther highlights its avant-garde architecture, offering its occupants an encloseddrivingarea for greater comfort and allowing its central part to open up thanks to the retractable canvas roof.

Its deck layout offers impressive sunbathing areas for relaxation, outdoor galley andgenerous deck spaces, without renouncing a very spacious and customisable interior layout with 2 or 3 cabins, one of which can be adapted for a crew cabin or servicecabin. Likewise, the interior can also contain up to two bathrooms, adapting to the needs of each owner. Elegant, sporty, spacious and cabrio, this is the D50 Coupé. Its world premiere will take place at Boot, the Düsseldorf International Boat Show, from21 to 29 January at the brand’s stand (Hall 5/Stand no. 5B20)

Antonio Yachts

ROLLS-ROYCE 'THE SILVER SPECTRE' (CHASSIS 1601, 1910)

UN ESPÍRITU DE INNOVACIÓN AUDAZ: LA EXTRAORDINARIA HISTORIA DEL NOMBRE SPECTRE

Elegir un nombre para un nuevo automóvil Rolls-Royce es un proceso crucial, muy considerado y minucioso, en el que la herencia única de la marca juega un papel central.

  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revela la historia del nombre elegido para su nuevo vehículo eléctrico a batería, Spectre, desde el inicio del proyecto
  • Primera vez que se da el nombre de Spectre a un Rolls‑Royce de producción en serie
  • Utilizado anteriormente solo para uno de los primeros autos de demostración y 10 chasis experimentales
  • Los modelos históricos de Spectre influyeron profundamente en los desarrollos clave de Rolls-Royce en el siglo XX.
  • Parte de un uso prolongado de nombres etéreos para encapsular el funcionamiento casi silencioso de Rolls-Royce.

“La llegada de nuestro primer automóvil eléctrico a batería marca el comienzo de una nueva y audaz era para Rolls-Royce. También es la culminación de un proceso largo y minucioso, en el que cada elemento en la creación de este automóvil emblemático se ha considerado hasta el más mínimo detalle, a lo largo de numerosas iteraciones. Pero un aspecto de este emblemático automóvil siempre ha sido seguro: desde el principio, determinamos que llevaría el nombre de Spectre, el primer Rolls-Royce de producción en serie en hacerlo. Fue una decisión inicialmente inspirada en nuestra herencia: los autos ‘Spectre’ siempre se asociaron con innovaciones técnicas revolucionarias, la búsqueda incesante de la perfección y una sensación de misterio y de otro mundo. El automóvil que ahora presentamos al mundo encarna todas esas cualidades, al tiempo que hace que el nombre de Spectre sea completamente propio”.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director Ejecutivo, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Elegir un nombre para un nuevo automóvil Rolls-Royce es un proceso crucial, muy considerado y minucioso, en el que la herencia única de la marca juega un papel central. De la familia de productos actual, todos menos Cullinan (llamado así por el diamante en bruto con calidad de gema más grande jamás descubierto) tienen nombres históricos del pasado: Phantom, Ghost, Dawn y Wraith tienen homónimos que abarcan los 118 años de historia de Rolls-Royce.

Al nombrar su primer vehículo eléctrico a batería, Rolls-Royce buscó mantener y fortalecer estos importantes vínculos “genéticos”, al mismo tiempo que marcaba un cambio definitivo hacia un nuevo territorio definido por la innovación y el progreso. Como explica la siguiente breve historia, encontró la solución perfecta con Spectre.

¿LO QUE HAY EN UN NOMBRE?
Según un proverbio chino, “el comienzo de la sabiduría es llamar a las cosas por su nombre correcto”, lo que refleja nuestra necesidad innata de identificar y clasificar objetos como una forma de dar sentido al universo. Esto es completamente obvio en relación con las personas, por supuesto; y para nuestros primeros antepasados, nombrar objetos era una técnica de supervivencia crucial. Pero, ¿por qué nombrar un objeto inanimado como un automóvil?

La práctica es tan antigua como el propio automóvil. Antes de la Primera Guerra Mundial, el transporte por carretera todavía estaba dominado por los caballos y los vehículos tirados por caballos y aquellos que podían permitirse un Rolls-Royce sin duda también habrían tenido y usado caballos. Por lo tanto, habría sido completamente natural y lógico para ellos nombrar su nuevo automóvil, tal como lo habrían hecho con su caballo favorito.

El potencial de mercadeo de este rasgo humano fundamental fue inmediatamente evidente para la aguda mente empresarial de Claude Johnson, el director gerente comercial de Rolls-Royce. Entre 1905 y 1913 ideó personalmente, a menudo consultando con el cliente, nombres individuales para casi 50 coches que producía la empresa, el más famoso de los cuales fue “The Silver Ghost”, creado para el Salón del Automóvil de Londres de 1907. La pintura plateada y el brillo plateado del automóvil impresionaron tanto a los periodistas automovilísticos como al público que se adoptó “Silver Ghost” como el nombre oficial del modelo para todos los modelos 40/50 H.P. Chasis construido hasta 1925, cuando se introdujo el New Phantom.

Johnson seguramente estaría satisfecho de que estos nombres etéreos y de otro mundo, destinados a capturar el funcionamiento casi silencioso del automóvil, todavía adornen los modelos Rolls-Royce, haciendo referencia a esta misma calidad más de un siglo después.

En agosto de 1910, la marca construyó Chassis 1601, que Johnson usó como automóvil de prueba o de demostración. Johnson lo llamó ‘The Silver Spectre’, el primer uso registrado del nombre Spectre en el archivo de la compañía.

El chasis 1601 se vendió a la Oficina de Guerra en 1915 y su último paradero conocido fue en una firma de ingenieros de motores en Sheffield en 1933. A lo largo de su vida útil, este automóvil fue reconstruido al menos tres veces. Esto era típico durante este período, a menudo para adaptarse a los gustos del nuevo propietario si el automóvil había cambiado de manos y, a veces, por razones más prosaicas: las primeras carrocerías empleaban materiales y métodos que, si bien se adaptaban perfectamente a los vehículos tirados por caballos que iban a 10 mph, rápidamente sucumbieron a las tensiones de viajar a 50 mph o más en el uso automotriz. Si bien el destino final del Chassis 1601 sigue sin estar claro, una cosa es segura: ningún Rolls-Royce volvería a llevar el nombre de Spectre durante más de 20 años.

ROLLS-ROYCE 'THE SILVER SPECTRE' (CHASSIS 1601, 1910)

ROLLS-ROYCE ‘THE SILVER SPECTRE’ (CHASSIS 1601, 1910)

ROLLS-ROYCE ‘THE SILVER SPECTRE’ (CHASSIS 1601, 1910)

LOS COCHES EXPERIMENTALES PHANTOM III ‘SPECTRE’ (1934-7)
Al principio de su historia, Rolls-Royce estableció una convención de nomenclatura especial para sus autos experimentales, dándoles números de chasis con el sufijo ‘EX’ convenientemente tentador. Comenzando con 1EX en 1919 y continuando hasta 45EX en 1957, estos modelos de desarrollo de ‘gran potencia’ se sometieron a pruebas de funcionamiento de hasta 15,000 millas, a menudo cubriendo 800 millas por día en las implacables carreteras de Francia. También registraron miles de millas adicionales en el intenso tráfico de Londres y a través del campo británico. La designación EX continúa en la era moderna, siendo el último ejemplo el vehículo de visión eléctrica 103EX, presentado en 2016.

En 1930, Sir Henry Royce comenzó a desarrollar un nuevo motor V12 para un chasis completamente nuevo con suspensión delantera independiente. Sin embargo, su muerte en 1933 significó que nunca vio el proyecto hasta su finalización. El nuevo automóvil, 30EX, finalmente estuvo listo para la prueba en carretera en noviembre de 1934.

Al igual que con todas las innovaciones, mantener el secreto en torno al nuevo motor V12 fue comercialmente crítico. Por lo tanto, junto con su número de chasis, al 30EX también se le asignó un nombre en clave: ‘Spectre’. Le seguirían otros nueve coches EX, con el nombre en clave ‘Spectre’, antes de que el coche entrara en producción como Phantom III en 1936. De estos chasis de desarrollo, siete se reutilizarían más tarde para venderlos a clientes privados, que presumiblemente nunca supieron de la versión anterior de su coche. operaciones encubiertas. Fueron las pruebas y el refinamiento llevados a cabo con estos autos “Spectre” lo que permitió al Phantom III mantener la reputación de la marca, establecida por primera vez por Silver Ghost en 1907, como “El mejor auto del mundo”.

ROLLS-ROYCE 30EX, COCHE EXPERIMENTAL PHANTOM III ‘SPECTRE’ (1934-7)

ROLLS-ROYCE ESPECTRO (2023-)
Al igual que los autos EX del pasado, el Spectre actual representa un cambio audaz y enormemente significativo, tanto técnica como filosóficamente, para Rolls-Royce. Como el primer Rolls-Royce totalmente eléctrico, marca una evolución en la tecnología del sistema de propulsión, posiblemente incluso mayor que la introducción del primer motor V12 de la marca: la configuración, que después de casi 80 años, todavía se usa en todos los modelos actuales de Rolls-Royce.

El propio nombre de Spectre se encuentra junto a Ghost, Phantom y Wraith como una evocación del silencio, el refinamiento y el misterio; de algo imaginado y onírico que existe fuera de los parámetros normales y de la experiencia. Y aunque anteriormente se ha dado a los coches individuales y experimentales, ningún Rolls-Royce de producción en serie ha llevado la placa de identificación de Spectre hasta ahora. Este encuentro de innovación y continuidad convierte a Spectre en la elección de nombre perfecta para un automóvil de una importancia tan singular e histórica.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Director Ejecutivo de Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, dice: “Existe una agradable simetría entre los Espectros del pasado y la encarnación actual. En nuestra historia, Spectre es un nombre sinónimo de innovación y desarrollo técnico, y automóviles Rolls-Royce que van a cambiar el mundo. Aunque separados por casi un siglo, tanto los Espectros de la década de 1930 como los nuestros son los campos de prueba para la tecnología de propulsión que dará forma a nuestros productos y las experiencias de los clientes en las próximas décadas”.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby’s | 1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti

Offered from the Oscar Davis Collection

  • The 18th of 19 examples built; widely considered the most beautiful of the Testa Rossa designs
  • Raced at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans by Richie Ginther and François Picard
  • Driven to 12 overall or class victories by racing legend Gaston Andrey en route to the 1958 and 1959 SCCA E-Modified championships
  • Exceptionally long and successful racing career across at least 30 starts between 1957 and 1963, with 18 podium finishes
  • Currently fitted with matching-numbers engine
  • Highly eligible for the world’s most exclusive events across racing, rally, and concours, including the Mille Miglia Storica and Le Mans Classic

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

THE TESTA ROSSA LEGEND BEGINS

Though he is best remembered for designing the long-block V-12 engine that Ferrari rode all the way to a victory at the 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans, engineer Aurelio Lampredi was also responsible for a very successful four-cylinder motor. The mainstay of Ferrari’s dominating 1952 and 1953 World Drivers’ Championships in Formula Two competition (the years during which Formula One was essentially canceled due to a lack of competition), this engine was soon transposed to sports car racing, powering the 500 Mondial and 750 Monza models to numerous wins.

The engine’s strengths were particularly evident on shorter winding circuits, where the high-revving, lightweight motor could power through the turns, often leaving V-12-powered competitors in the dust.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

After Lampredi’s exit in 1955, a new engineering team led by ex-Alfa Romeo maestro Vittorio Jano was charged with developing the four-cylinder engine even further, and their work most auspiciously featured the fitting of a new cylinder block that was finished in gloss red paint. This marked the inception of the mighty Testa Rossa, a model that would ultimately be fitted with a red-head V-12, and go on to become arguably the most legendary sports racing prototype series of all-time.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

The 500 TR made its debut at the Senegal Grand Prix with Jacques Swaters’ Ecurie Francorchamps racing team, achieving immediate success with a 1st in class. The majority of the subsequent examples were bodied by Scaglietti and destined for Ferrari’s top privateer clients, while a small handful were upgraded to 2.5-liter engines and bodied by Touring for use as Scuderia Ferrari Works cars. It was two of the latter examples which achieved the model’s first major international success when they finished 1st and 3rd at the 1956 Supercortemaggiore Grand Prix at Monza. Success continued throughout 1956 with the new “Red Head” achieving over 30 class and overall victories across North America and Europe.

For 1957, the 500 TR was updated to comply with the FIA’s latest Appendix C regulations, and the model was duly renamed the 500 TRC. Three inches lower than its predecessor, the TRC utilized a conventional engine-mounted four-speed gearbox and a live rear axle, eschewing the heavier De Dion rear end employed in the 500 Mondial. With stronger connecting rods and crankshaft assembly, and a lighter flywheel, the type 131C engine was fed by two Weber 40 DCOA/3 carburetors, combining to develop 190 horsepower and good for a potential top speed of 153 mph. Developed exclusively for privateer racing clients, the 500 TRC went on to collect class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Mille Miglia, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and the Nürburgring 1000 KM.

The 500 TRC was built in a boutique quantity of just 19 examples, and it was the last four-cylinder model that Ferrari ever produced. Of course, with its sensuous Scaglietti open body and red-head motor, it proved to be just the opening salvo of the Testa Rossa legend—but what a memorable first chapter it was.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A WINNING ‘RED HEAD’

Campaigned to numerous wins by a luminary racing driver lineup, this beautiful 500 TRC is a highly desirable example of the early Testa Rossa. Slotted in at the end of the production run, 0706 MDTR is the second-to-last car built and in April 1957 it was loaned by the factory to François Picard, who repainted the car French blue and raced it under the banner of his Ecurie Los Amigos. After scoring three class wins through early June, including 5th overall at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Picard teamed with rising star Richie Ginther to run the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite showing early promise in the race, the TRC retired following a water pump failure.

In late 1957 the Ferrari was sold through Luigi Chinetti to Mike Garber of Hamden, Connecticut, the sponsor of the legendary Swiss-born racing driver Gaston “Gus” Andrey. Having emigrated to the United States, Andrey went on to enjoy a very successful career that included four SCCA championships and two Trans-Am championships, driving for Ferrari’s NART, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo, among others.

Still finished in its Le Mans blue livery, Andrey first drove the beautiful 500 TRC at the Nassau Bahamas Speed Week in December 1957. Andrey failed to finish the Tourist Trophy event but came back strong with a 2nd in class in the Governor’s Trophy prelim race and a respectable 5th in class in the hotly contested Nassau Trophy race. Following Nassau, the car remained in the Southeast and was entered by Mike Garber in the 1958 12 Hours of Sebring. Driven by Andrey, Bill Loyd, and for a short stint the great Dan Gurney, the car ran well until the 125th lap when it suffered a rear axle bearing failure.

Following Sebring, the car was refinished in a two-tone scheme of white over a red lower body, a red stripe, and Swiss emblems on each side, paying homage to Andrey’s Swiss heritage. 0706 MDTR was driven by Andrey in a slew of races through 1959, earning him the SCCA E-Modified championships in 1958 and 1959. Almost always among the top 10 finishers, the car claimed an overall win at Lime Rock in April 1958, and a class win at the 1958 President’s Cup at Marlboro, Maryland. It also won its class at Bridgehampton in June 1958, Virginia International Raceway in October 1958, Thompson in May 1959, and Lime Rock in July 1959.

The Ferrari’s success prompted a fair amount of coverage in the motoring press, including a piece in the October 1959 issue of Road & Track, and cover car status for the January 1960 issue of Sports Car Graphic. In early, 1960 Andrey offered the TRC for sale, and over the next two decades it passed through a documented chain of owners across the United States.

In the early 1960s, while driven in a racing school by Henry Hironaka, the original 2-liter engine number 0706 MDTR dropped a valve and was removed from the car. For a time 0706 MDTR, as with many used Ferrari racing cars of the period, had a Ford 289 V-8 motor installed to keep it operational. Later, the Ford engine was removed and a new 2-liter engine, stamped with the number 0582 LM, was installed.

In May 1980 Stanley Nowak found the original 0706 MDTR engine crated within Luigi Chinetti’s warehouse, and he soon sold it to Derek Lees in Birmingham, England, who installed it in the restoration of a 500 TR, chassis number 0640 MDTR.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

A RETURN TO THE CIRCUIT

In 1984, the 500 TRC was purchased by Count Hubertus von Dönhoff in Germany, and over the following 10 years he entered the car twice at the Mille Miglia Storica and three times at the AvD-Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. By 1995 the Ferrari was back in the U.S. and proudly displayed at the 1995 Cavallino Classic, winning the Coppa per Quattro Cilindri for the best four-cylinder Ferrari.

Subsequently the 500 TRC was sold in September 1998 to Roger Willbanks, Sr., a respected collector based in Colorado who presented the car at the 2001 Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, the 2003 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Following the sale to a New York-based collector in 2006, the car was shown at the 2007 Reading Concours d’Elegance, where it won the Scaglietti Award. In 2014, this 500 TRC was acquired by Oscar Davis and, most importantly, the car was reunited with the numbers-matching engine number 0706 MDTR, which has recently been reinstalled in preparation for the car’s current offering. Its spare engine, number 0582 LM, accompanies the sale.

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

1957 Ferrari 500 TRC Spider by Scaglietti Motorcar Studios ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

Now offered from the Oscar Davis Collection, this sensational spider continues to benefit from an older restoration. It claims important competition use, having been driven by Richie Ginther at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and by Gaston Andrey at the 12 Hours of Sebring—also forming the primary component of his 1958 and 1959 SCCA championships.

Simply awe-inspiring in its menacing red-over-black Scaglietti coachwork, this striking 500 TRC would make a great entrant at significant marque events or may be enjoyed at vintage racing gatherings like the Mille Miglia Storica, Le Mans Classic, or the Monterey Historics, in addition to the world’s top concours d’elegance. The voluptuous coachwork instantly declares the car’s position in the evolution of a celebrated legend, that sports-car racing masterpiece forever known by two words: Testa Rossa.

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

It instantly brings back memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings used to charge to the summit in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event, aka the “Race To The Clouds:” Audi is presenting the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist Ken Block. The all-electric one-of-a-kind car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

Polestar Precept
The near future of automotive

Polestar Precept is not a conventional concept car. It’s the embodiment of our ambitions for design, technology and sustainability. A vision that will lead to Polestar 5, our electric performance 4-door GT, set to be launched in 2024.

Not a concept car, but a statement car

The automotive industry is facing pressing questions about design and environmental impact. Precept aims to answer these questions, showing our commitment to sustainable and engaging electric mobility.

The next step in Polestar’s evolution

Precept is both ambitious and logical. The next step for Polestar, not a leap. It combines sustainable materials that can already be produced, technology that is under development, and a design language that is futuristic yet realistic. We’ve borrowed from tomorrow. Not fifty years from now.

Intentional innovation

We can’t afford to waste time on sci-fi flights of fancy. Precept defines and displays potential solutions to the real-world challenges that lie before us. It questions conventions without indulging in daydreams.

Tickets for Goodwood’s 2022 motorsport events now on sale

08 November 2021

Tickets for Goodwood’s 2022 motorsport events now on sale

  • Tickets for Goodwood’s three headline motorsport events are now on sale.
  • The 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport will be held on 9-10 April and is exclusive to GRRC Members and Fellows.
  • The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will be held on 23-26 June.
  • The Goodwood Revival will be held on 16-18 September.

Goodwood is delighted to announce that tickets for its 2022 motorsport events – the 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, and the Revival – are now on sale at goodwood.com.

Whether you join us for the food, fun and festivities on offer at the Members’ Meeting, the fascinating future tech on display at the Festival of Speed, or to discover fabulous second-hand treasures at the Revival – in addition to the unrivalled and up-close access to cars and bikes from across the automotive annals as well as rip-roaring racing, demonstrations and hillclimb action – Goodwood’s motorsport events have it all.

Festival of Speed 2021

This year saw Goodwood make an incredible return to the motorsport and motoring calendar, and we are delighted to have welcomed back our passionate fans after more than 18 months away. We are already looking forward to next year when the events will not only revert to the usual order, but will run at full capacity. We are also pleased to share that Festival of Speed customers who purchase their tickets before 31 March 2022 will be able to benefit from the UK Government’s ‘creative industry tax relief’ with a reduced VAT rate of 12.5%.

We have a range of ticket options on offer, with children under 12 going free at all our motorsport events, and a Young Person ticket available for those aged between 13 and 21 years of age. Event-goers can make use of our plentiful parking, or travel by train to Chichester and hop on one of the regular shuttle buses that run between the station and the events.

Those wishing to attend the Goodwood Road Racing Club-only 79th Members’ Meeting in April, can join the GRRC Fellowship to purchase tickets. For just £43 a year, the Fellowship offers a range of benefits in addition to Members’ Meeting access, including exclusive video archives, competitions, offers and much more. You could even make a start on your Christmas shopping and give the gift of Goodwood motorsport, by purchasing the Fellowship as a gift subscription, complete with a certificate that can be downloaded and printed, or emailed.

In addition to tickets, Goodwood’s unrivalled hospitality packages are also now available to book for the 2022 Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival. Whether customers are looking for a great day out with friends, entertaining clients or celebrating something special, Goodwood’s hospitality provides the ultimate setting to enjoy the events. Email hospitality@goodwood.com or call 01243 755054.

Also launching at Goodwood in 2022, will be Goodwoof (28-29 May) and Eroica Britannia (6-7 August). The two new events will bring ‘all things dog’ and vintage cycling to the estate’s impressive and popular events portfolio. Tickets to Goodwoof are on sale now at goodwood.com, with Eroica Britannia to follow at the end of the year.

Image credit: Jayson Fong

2022 Event Dates:

  • Goodwoof, Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 May 2022
  • 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 April 2022
  • Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 June 2022
  • Eroica Britannia, Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 August 2022
  • Goodwood Revival, Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September 2022

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on 01243 755055.

For an extra special day out, hospitality is also available across the event and can be organised by emailing hospitality@goodwood.com or calling 01243 755054.

Goodwood wants customers to be able to book with confidence and if it is deemed that Goodwood events cannot take place on advice from the UK Government due to the ever-changing pandemic, the ‘Ticket Guarantee’ means customers can transfer their ticket to the following year or receive a full refund.

Covid-19
Goodwood’s number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, whether working behind-the-scenes, at the wheel, or attending the spectacle. Goodwood continues to work closely with Public Health England and UK Government advisory groups and all events will be run strictly in accordance with the Government’s Covid-19 guidelines.

About the Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is an epic weekend of motor racing founded by the Duke of Richmond, which aims to recreate the atmosphere and camaraderie of the original BARC Members’ Meetings held at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

As well as a full programme of racing, the Members’ Meeting features all kinds of cars from classic tin-tops and GTs, to motorcycles and open wheeled Formula 3 and F1 machines, offering visitors a friendly and intimate atmosphere with no crowds, thanks to being exclusively available to GRRC Members and Fellowship. A winning formula of spectacular cars, high-speed track demonstrations, fun-packed festivities and great entertainment; along with the very best food and drink. Joining the GRRC Fellowship is the only way to become a full GRRC Member.

About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by bp, Electric Avenue, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.

About the Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is the world’s greatest historic motor race meeting, and the only sporting event of its kind to be staged entirely in a period theme. More than just an unrivalled weekend of historic racing, it is a whimsical step back in time; an immersive celebration of a less disposable world, where “make do and mend” was a way of life rather than a casual slogan.

The Revival is, at its heart, a celebration of craftsmanship and sustainability, from an age when possessions were made to last and be cherished. It promotes a thoroughly modern ethos – to “reduce, reuse, repair, restore and recycle” – in the most authentic way possible. All the cars are original, having been lovingly maintained since new, many of the outfits have been handed down through generations, and even the retailers specialise in pre-owned artefacts – everything from clothes and accessories to automobilia and books.

It is, proudly, the world’s biggest and most glamorous second-hand event, encouraging attendees to embrace its Revive and Thrive ethos.

Goodwood Announces 2022 Motorsport Event Dates

  • The 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport will be held on 9-10 April.
  • The Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will be held on 23-26 June.
  • The Goodwood Revival will be held on 16-18 September.
  • Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday 8 November at 9am.
  • Customers can get early access from 1 November by joining the GRRC Fellowship.

Goodwood Revival 2021

Goodwood is pleased to announce the dates for its 2022 motorsport and automotive events. Kicking off the season will be the 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport on 9-10 April, followed by the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard on 23-26 June and finishing with Goodwood Revival on 16-18 September.

2021 saw Goodwood make an incredible return to the motorsport and motoring calendar, with all three events taking place over the summer and autumn, welcoming back our passionate fans after more than 18 months away. Looking ahead to next year, the events will not only revert to the usual order – starting with the Members’ Meeting in April – but they will run at full capacity and bring back many popular aspects as well as new celebrations, moments, car launches and interactive customer experiences.

Members’ Meeting will remain the playground for Members and Fellows of the Goodwood Road Racing Club (GRRC), with a weekend of exceptional racing, high-speed demonstrations, off-track festivities and fireworks, and of course the unique school ‘house’ rivalry.

Festival of Speed 2021

The Festival of Speed will return as the destination for innovation, technology and future mobility, as well as hosting perennial favourites including Formula 1, drift, contemporary teams, champion drivers and riders of past, present and future, and more than a century of motorsport history. The awe-inspiring Future Lab will wow event-goers, as will the latest supercars in action on the Hill, and the world’s leading manufacturers launching their latest cars. Electric Avenue – the ultimate place for consumers to immerse themselves in the world of electric mobility – will be back after its debut in 2021.

Revival will once again host the world’s greatest weekend of historic racing, accompanied by fabulous vintage fashion and glamour, set within the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit. Popular new initiatives for 2021, including the Make Do & Mend corner and Revival Car Boot Sale, will make a welcome – and enhanced – return, as Goodwood continues to celebrate and showcase sustainability and second-hand lifestyle, encouraging attendees to embrace the event’s Revive and Thrive ethos.

Goodwood Revival 2021

Further details and announcements on what will feature at this year’s events will be announced in the months ahead.

Commenting on next year’s events, The Duke of Richmond said: “I am thrilled that our much-loved, sell-out motorsport events will be making a spectacular return in 2022. Thank you to everyone who attended and partnered with the Festival of Speed, Revival and Members’ Meeting this year. Your loyalty and support after a challenging 18 months made them more special than ever, and we can’t wait to see you back at Goodwood again next year. It really will be a season not to miss.”

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets for the 79th Members’ Meeting, Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival will be on sale at goodwood.com on the following dates:

  • Saturday 30 October 2021 – GRRC Members
  • Monday 1 November 2021 – GRRC Fellowship
  • Monday 8 November 2021 – Public

As in previous years, children aged 12 and under go free and a Young Person ticket will also be available for those aged between 13 and 21 years of age.

Members of the public can get early access to tickets and buy from 1 November by joining the GRRC Fellowship. For just £43 a year, the Fellowship not only provides a special ticket window, but is the only entry route to join the GRRC, offering a range of benefits including access to the members-only Members’ Meeting, exclusive video content, competitions, offers and much more.

Goodwood’s unrivalled hospitality packages are available to book now for the 2022 Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival by emailing hospitality@goodwood.com or calling 01243 755054. Whether customers are looking for a great day out with friends, entertaining clients or celebrating something special, Goodwood’s hospitality provides the ultimate setting to enjoy the events.

Also launching at Goodwood in 2022, will be Goodwoof (28-29 May) and Eroica Britannia (6-7 August). The two new events will bring ‘all things dog’ and vintage cycling to the estate’s impressive and popular events portfolio. Tickets to Goodwoof are on sale now at goodwood.com, with Eroica Britannia to follow at the end of the year.

2022 Event Charities

The Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival will also partner with two new charities in 2022. Race Against Dementia, a charity set up by Sir Jackie Stewart OBE will be supported by the Festival of Speed and local charity Aldingbourne Trust will be supported by the Revival.

Race Against Dementia is a global charity established to fund pioneering research to find a prevention or treatment for dementia. The Race Against Dementia (RAD) Fellowship Programme draws from the most promising early career scientific talent around the world. Collaboration with forward-thinking teams in Formula One and other innovative organisations brings the dynamic attitude, dedication and agility of Grand Prix teamwork to drive results in dementia research. The programme not only accelerates the Fellows’ personal research agendas but also aspires to catalyse a change in dementia research culture globally.

The Aldingbourne Trust provides real skills, care and jobs in a 21st Century way. Through strong partnerships and social enterprise, they enable adults with learning disabilities to have real choices and to lead more independent lives. The trust provides much-valued support in all aspects of their lives including accommodation, training, employment, advice and having fun!

Image credit: 1. Jayson Fong | 2. Dominic James | 3. Jayson Fong | 4. Dominic James | 5. Jayson Fong

Goodwood Revival 2021

Tickets for the Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival go on sale to the public on Monday 8 November at 9am at goodwood.com, with priority booking available for GRRC Members and Fellows. Customers can join the Fellowship at any time to receive priority booking for the 2022 events.

2022 Event Dates:

  • 79th Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport, Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 April 2022
  • Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 June 2022
  • Goodwood Revival, Friday 16 – Sunday 18 September 2022

Sunday

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased via goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on 01243 755055.

Members of the public can get early access to tickets and buy from 1 November by joining the GRRC Fellowship. For just £43 a year, the Fellowship not only provides a special ticket window, but is the only entry route to join the GRRC, offering a range of benefits including access to the members-only Members’ Meeting, access to video archives, competitions, offers and much more.

For an extra special day out, hospitality is also available across the event and can be organised by emailing hospitality@goodwood.com or calling 01243 755054.

Goodwood wants customers to be able to book with confidence and if it is deemed that Goodwood events cannot take place on advice from the UK Government due to the ever-changing pandemic, the ‘Ticket Guarantee’ means customers can transfer their ticket to the following year or receive a full refund.

Covid-19
Goodwood’s number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, whether working behind-the-scenes, at the wheel, or attending the spectacle. Goodwood continues to work closely with Public Health England and UK Government advisory groups and all events will be run strictly in accordance with the Government’s Covid-19 guidelines

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***

About the Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport
The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is an epic weekend of motor racing founded by the Duke of Richmond, which aims to recreate the atmosphere and camaraderie of the original BARC Members’ Meetings held at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

As well as a full programme of racing, the Members’ Meeting features all kinds of cars from classic tin-tops and GTs, to motorcycles and open wheeled Formula 3 and F1 machines, offering visitors a friendly and intimate atmosphere with no crowds, thanks to being exclusively available to GRRC Members and Fellowship. A winning formula of spectacular cars, high-speed track demonstrations, fun-packed festivities and great entertainment; along with the very best food and drink. Joining the GRRC Fellowship is the only way to become a full GRRC Member.

About Audrain Motorsport
Audrain Motorsport is all about the chance to share extraordinary experiences centred around the way you want to engage with cars and motorcycles. No matter where your passion connects, on a tour, rally or back country drive; exploring the limits of your car and your talent against the clock on a track; as an insider at the world’s leading Concours d’Elegance and historic races; or sharing conversation with the movers, shakers and legends of the motoring world in an intimate setting, we are here to make it possible.

Audrain Motorsport promises “curated immersive automotive experiences” for all its members who are looking to take their passion to the next level, and to operate at the top of the automotive lifestyle chain. For more information please visit, www.AudrainMotorsport.com and stay up-to-date with all news and information by following us on our YouTube Channel and social media platforms.

About the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures from the automotive world. Highlights include Future Lab presented by bp, Electric Avenue, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.

About the Goodwood Revival
The Goodwood Revival is the world’s greatest historic motor race meeting, and the only sporting event of its kind to be staged entirely in a period theme. More than just an unrivalled weekend of historic racing, it is a whimsical step back in time; an immersive celebration of a less disposable world, where “make do and mend” was a way of life rather than a casual slogan.

The Revival is, at its heart, a celebration of craftsmanship and sustainability, from an age when possessions were made to last and be cherished. It promotes a thoroughly modern ethos – to “reduce, reuse, repair, restore and recycle” – in the most authentic way possible. All the cars are original, having been lovingly maintained since new, many of the outfits have been handed down through generations, and even the retailers specialise in pre-owned artefacts – everything from clothes and accessories to automobilia and books.

It is, proudly, the world’s biggest and most glamorous second-hand event, encouraging attendees to embrace its Revive and Thrive ethos.

THE ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL TIMEPIECES: AN ARTISTIC COLLABORATION WITH BOVET 1822

Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a pure expression of its owners’ interests, influences and passions, with every detail minutely considered. We have enjoyed working with BOVET 1822 to create a pair of exquisite timepieces that also serve as Boat Tail’s dashboard clocks. In doing so we have together created historically significant items of detail, precision, and beauty.

  • Rolls-Royce collaborates with Swiss master horologists BOVET 1822 to create unique timepieces for first Boat Tail coachbuilt commission
  • Pair of reversible tourbillon timepieces, each designed to be worn on the wrist, used as a table clock, pendant or pocket timepiece, or placed within the fascia as Boat Tail’s Timepiece
  • Timepieces and dashboard holder took 3,000 hours to develop and manufacture
  • Five-day power reserve and tourbillon mechanism ensure the timepieces keep perfect time when used as dashboard clocks

“Rolls-Royce Boat Tail is a pure expression of its owners’ interests, influences and passions, with every detail minutely considered. We have enjoyed working with BOVET 1822 to create a pair of exquisite timepieces that also serve as Boat Tail’s dashboard clocks. In doing so we have together created historically significant items of detail, precision, and beauty. These remarkable objets d’art, unique to the first iteration of Boat Tail, represent the finest examples of the skills and values shared by our two great luxury Houses.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“I am so proud of the BOVET 1822 team, who worked in tandem with their counterparts at Rolls-Royce to produce something truly spectacular. The owners of the coachbuilt car, and these bespoke timepieces, are personal friends, as well as valued collectors of BOVET 1822. It was important to do the very best for them – two completely unique pieces that are unlike anything we have ever done before.”
Pascal Raffy, Owner, BOVET 1822


A MOMENT IN TIME

The clock in a Rolls-Royce motor car frequently assumes a jewel-like status, often becoming a canvas for the client to tell the story of their commission in miniature. For Rolls-Royce Boat Tail, the recently unveiled, first of three, coachbuilt creations, in which every element has been created to the owners’ exact specifications, this iconic centrepiece has been elevated to new technical and aesthetic heights.

In a spirit of warm collaboration, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Swiss master watchmakers, BOVET 1822, have created a pair of unique timepieces for Boat Tail and its owners. This ambitious undertaking brought together designers, engineers and craftspeople from both luxury Houses, in a magnificent demonstration of their shared values of excellence, precision, heritage, artistry, innovation and attention to detail.

The timepieces are unique to both the horological and automotive worlds. Made as a pair – in lady’s and gentleman’s versions – they are reversible, and housed in BOVET 1822’s patented Amadeo case, which allows them to be worn on the wrist, or used as a table clock, pendant or pocket-watch, as well as being placed front and centre in Boat Tail’s fascia as the motor car’s own timepiece. Both are fitted with tourbillon mechanisms to ensure perfect accuracy.

IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION

BOVET 1822 initially earned its reputation making luxury pocket-watches for wealthy patrons in China; today, it is renowned worldwide for its exquisite timepieces featuring hand-painted dials, detailed engraving and finely finished visible mechanisms.

The timepieces, created for this first iteration of Boat Tail, have specially designed 18K white gold cases and feature matching front dials with the same Caleidolegno veneer found on the aft deck of Boat Tail itself, and are finished with the owner-couples’ names. The gentleman’s timepiece is highly polished; the lady’s is ornately engraved then filled with blue lacquer.

On the reverse side, the dials are more individual. The gentleman’s features an aventurine dial with the celestial arrangement of the night sky over the place of his birth on his birth date; the lady’s is decorated with an ornate miniature painting of a flower bouquet on a mother-of-pearl dial. This design is a traditional BOVET 1822 motif, chosen by and personalised for the owner.

Both reverse dials have hand-engraved Bespoke sculptures of Boat Tail, complete with wheels, door handle, mirrors and other fine details. By working closely together, the teams at Rolls-Royce and BOVET 1822 were able to achieve a precise colour match between the lacquer on this tiny work of art and the full-size motor car.

Further close cooperation was required to ensure the timepieces conformed to the demands of their unique role as motor car clocks. In watchmaking, weight is rarely an issue for a complex timepiece, but in this instance, there was a limit on the combined permissible weight of the timepieces and their holders. BOVET 1822 met this requirement by creating an entirely new 44mm white gold case. In addition, the timepieces and holders also had to be tested to automotive-industry standards for vibration and crash safety – something never previously undertaken on mechanisms of this kind.

At a conservative estimate, the timepieces’ design, engineering, sculptures, miniature painting, marquetry, bespoke movements and cases took a total of 3,000 hours to complete.

THE TRANSFORMATIVE TOURBILLON

When a pocket-watch is left static in one position for any length of time, the effect of gravity on key moving parts can impair its accuracy. At the end of the 18th Century, watchmakers solved this problem by developing the tourbillon, where the escapement and balance wheel are mounted in a cage that slowly revolves, cancelling out the gravitational effect. In a wristwatch, the wearer’s natural physical movements diminish the need for the tourbillon. However, when that same timepiece is mounted vertically in a car dashboard for many hours at a time, the tourbillon truly comes into its own.

BOVET 1822 is a specialist in tourbillion timepieces, for which it holds a number of patents and has received many awards including the Aiguille d’Or, watchmaking’s highest honour. It is also one of the only companies in the watch industry to manufacture its own spirals and regulating organs. To reduce potential impact from the vibration from the car, the tourbillon has pivots rather than the traditional ball bearings; a heavier balance wheel and an increased oscillation rate to aid precision. Finally, the tourbillon bridge is finished with a miniaturised Spirit of Ecstasy handcrafted in gold.

The timepieces have an astonishing five-day power reserve, rather than the 42-48 hours of a ‘standard’ watch, to allow for their role as motor car clocks.

DASHBOARD HOLDER MECHANISM: PERFECT PRECISION 

The holder mechanism is unique to Rolls-Royce Boat Tail and was designed by BOVET 1822 engineers and the Rolls-Royce Coachbuild design team from a blank sheet of paper. Although in a Rolls-Royce vibration is naturally reduced to an absolute minimum – undetectable vibrations are inevitably still present. This highly complex mounting assembly serves to isolate the timepieces from these micro-vibrations. It also ensures they operate silently, are easy to mount and remove from the dashboard and, above all, remain safe and secure.

These challenges were unlike any normally encountered in watchmaking and car manufacture. From the start, BOVET 1822 was determined to follow a purely mechanical approach in keeping with its tradition of Swiss handcrafted production. The engineers’ innovative solution was to keep all the system’s moving parts external, with the dashboard providing a solid setting for the holder. Finally, Rolls-Royce ensured that when the holder is not housing one of the time pieces, it can be covered with a beautiful engraved and lacquered display plaque.  Below the clock, the dashboard is fitted with a special drawer, lined with the same leather as Boat Tail’s seats, which serves as a safekeeping receptacle to house the timepieces, straps, chain and pendant when not in use.

ROLLS-ROYCE BOAT TAIL TIMEPIECES FACTS & FIGURES

Case Size: Bespoke; diameter – 44mm; thickness – 14mm

Case Type: 18K white gold Fleurier case; BOVET 1822 bow at 12 o’clock; 49 components

Case Function: Amadeo Convertible System; reversible; pocket watch on chain; pendant watch on necklace; table clock; dashboard clock

Case Finishing: Men’s timepiece is high polish finish; Women’s timepiece is hand-engraved then filled with blue lacquer

Movement: Bespoke 60-second tourbillon; manual-wind; 284 components (without dial and hands); 21,600 v/h

Functions: Hours and minutes on both sides (reverse hand-fitting); power reserve indicator on front

Power Reserve: 5 days

Men’s Front Dial: Hand-made wood marquetry dial; hand-engraved Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture fixed to the tourbillon bridge; “A Special Timepiece Commission” on the dial

Women’s Front Dial: Hand-made wood marquetry dial; hand-engraved 18K white gold Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture; “A Special Timepiece Commission” on the dial

Men’s Reverse Dial: Blue aventurine glass with sky chart of owner’s birth day and birth place; hand-engraved bespoke Boat Tail sculpture, lacquered to match the colour of the car then miniature painted by hand to add the details; lady’s name engraved on the mirror-polished (by hand by the watchmaker) tourbillon bridge

Women’s Reverse Dial: Miniature hand-painting of flower bouquet on mother-of-pearl dial (based on historical BOVET 1822 timepiece, customised); hand-engraved bespoke Boat Tail sculpture, lacquered to match the colour of the car then miniature painted by hand to add the details; gentleman’s name (engraved on the mirror-polished (by hand by the watchmaker) tourbillon bridge

Dashboard Holder: Aluminium and Titanium; 51 components; Engraving of two Rolls-Royce Boat Tails in a white gold case, to match that of the timepieces, to place inside when the timepiece is not present (100% engineered, designed, and produced in-house by BOVET)

In-car Drawer: to hold timepieces, straps, chain, necklace

Independent laboratory certification: shock, temperature, humidity, vibration