“It is human nature to strive for something. For some, it is the quest for ever-greater speed and power; for others, the pursuit of endeavours previously considered impossible. At Rolls-Royce, we do not limit ourselves in our constant striving for perfection in all things. The new Landspeed Collection extends our horizons with an 80-year vision for boldness, determination and genius. We are so proud to deliver the Rolls-Royce Landspeed Dawn in Abu Dhabi.”
Tarek Moataz, Brand Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Abu Dhabi Motors
Rolls-Royce has been associated with world speed records on both land and water for more than a century. But while the exploits of Sir Malcolm Campbell are well documented and widely known, another British hero who set three land-speed records using Rolls-Royce engines has been largely overlooked by history.
Now, after more than 80 years, Rolls-Royce recalls this hero’s inspiring exploits. The marque uncovers and retells the remarkable story of the redoubtable Captain George Eyston, and his extraordinary car, Thunderbolt, with the Landspeed Collection, composed of the Wraith and Black Badge Dawn. The latter vehicle – the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Dawn – has now arrived in Abu Dhabi.
The new Collection Car duo is presented in a specially created two-tone finish, which marries Black Diamond Metallic with a new Bespoke colour, Bonneville Blue. Developed by the Surface Finish Centre at Goodwood, this transitions under sunlight from light blue to silver, capturing the vast desert sky over the Bonneville Salt Flats, and the brilliant white surface as reflected in Thunderbolt’s unpainted aluminium body. A dark line on the steering wheel mimics the one Eyston marked on the prepared track to help him keep Thunderbolt straight at over 350mph. The Flats’ distinctive fissured texture is perfectly reproduced in the facia and console lids veneer with multi-depth laser engraving, digitally retraced from the surface itself. The outline of the Silver Island mountains, which dominate the Bonneville horizon, is engraved on the upper ‘waterfall’ between the rear seats
The Landspeed Collection goes far beyond the typical understanding of limited edition, with unmatched exclusivity. Just 25 examples of Black Badge Dawn Landspeed have been meticulously hand-built at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood: all have been allocated to customers around the world. With its arrival in Abu Dhabi, every inch and facet of the Black Badge Dawn is both a tribute to Eyston’s achievements, and the unrivalled engineering pedigree of Rolls-Royce.
