Coachbuilding: The modern art revived

This series takes a journey through the historic practice of coachbuilding and how it has evolved to remain relevant to the present day.

The vast majority of cars bought today are mass-produced, and it’s highly unlikely coachbuilders will rise to the same prominence they did in the early 20th Century. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand for exclusive, one-off vehicles that, by virtue of their exclusivity, act as valuable investments that differentiate the very wealthy from the typical car buyer.

Currently, the leading marques here are Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Bugatti. Each of these manufacturers has a bespoke program whereby the customer can commission a unique vehicle by contacting the company directly. Let’s have a look at some of their latest creations.

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Rolls-Royce

This one-off Rolls costs approximately US$13 million ($18.4 million).

The flowing glasshouse that tapers towards the tail of the car was inspired by early 20th Century coach-built Rolls-Royces.

The Rolls-Royce Sweptail is a prime example of contemporary coachbuilding. Built as a one-off, this car took more than four years to develop and was built at a cost of approximately US$13 million ($18.4 million). The flowing glasshouse that tapers towards the tail of the car was inspired by early 20th Century coach-built Rolls-Royces such as the 1925 Phantom 1 Round Door.

The dramatic 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 served as inspiration for the contemporary Sweptail.

Ferrari

Underneath the skin the SP38 is a 488 GTB.

The SP38 features unique bodywork and a more wedge-shaped profile.

The latest one-off creation from Ferrari is the SP38. Borrowing its chassis and mechanicals from the 488 GTB, the SP38’s unique bodywork presents a more wedge-shaped profile compared to its donor car, accentuated by the slim headlamps that highlight the tapered front end.

Bugatti

La Voiture Noire is French for “the black car”.

The La Voiture Noire is the world’s most expensive new car at US$19 million ($27 million).

The pinnacle brand of the Volkswagen Group, Bugatti’s one-off La Voiture Noire (French for “the black car”) is the world’s most expensive new car at US$19 million ($27 million). A modern interpretation of the Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, La Voiture Noire commemorates a missing black example of that car. Its bodywork made completely from carbon-fibre and it shares the distinctive ‘C-line’ running across the top of the car with its ancestral companion.