British luxury bespoke carmaker, Rolls-Royce, recently unveiled the Landspeed Collection to commemorate the remarkable life and record-breaking feats of George Eyston.
An engineer, inventor, and racing driver, Etsyon was known not only for his professional accomplishments but also for breaking the land speed record three times between 1937 and 1939.
“The Collection, which includes both Wraith and Dawn Black Badge, celebrates someone with exactly that dauntless, fearless, pioneering spirit. His name was Captain George Eyston, a Cambridge University graduate, racing driver, gifted inventor, and engineering genius. In the late 1930s, he broke the world land-speed record three times with his car Thunderbolt, powered by two Rolls-Royce R V12 aero engines. He was a true hero from an age of epic endeavors, yet both he and Thunderbolt have been all-but-forgotten for more than 80 years,” says Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös.
Featured in the Landspeed Collection are limited-edition Black Badge Wraiths and Dawns. Production will only be limited to 35 for the Wraith Black Badge and 25 for the Dawn Black Badge, said the automaker.
The cars in the Landspeed Collection have already been allocated to customers.
“With this Collection, we have revived Eyston’s memory and retold his remarkable story. Throughout Wraith and Dawn Landspeed, clients will find numerous subtle design elements and narrative details that recall and commemorate his amazing achievements, grand vision, and exceptional courage,” added Müller-Ötvös.
Both cars will come in a specially-created two-tone finish which combines RR’s Black Diamon Metallic paint with Bonneville Blue, a new Bespoke color. The specially developed paint offers a color that transitions from light blue to silver under the bright sunlight.
Bright yellow accents, including two-tone yellow and black bumper inserts, will also be featured in the Landspeed Collection.
Inside, the collection cars feature a subtly perforated dark detail in the steering wheel which continues to the driver’s seat.
The wooden veneer of the cars’ fascia and console lids feature a distinct texture digitally retraced from the surface of the Bonneville Salt Flats.
An interior clock with black and yellow details reflects the contrasting accents on the exterior.
The Wraith Landspeed model will have a Starlight Headliner that recreates the stars over the Flats on 16 September 1938, the date on which Eyston set his third and final world land-speed record.
On the other hand, the Dawn Landspeed bears the outline of the Silver Island mountains, engraved between the rear seats.
In addition, both the Wraith and Dawn Landspeed models will feature Grosgrain weave silk designed to match the honors received by Eyston during his lifetime.
“Rolls-Royce has been synonymous with adventure, daring, and pushing boundaries throughout its history. We are delighted that with the Landspeed Collection, we can add another hitherto unsung hero to the illustrious roll call of pioneers associated with our great marque. With his vision, boldness, determination, and genius for innovation and invention, George Eyston embodies so much of what makes Rolls-Royce unique. These cars are a fitting and long-overdue tribute to a truly inspiring character,” concluded the Rolls-Royce boss.
Photos from Rolls-Royce
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