The Goodwood Festival of Speed took place this weekend and the crème de la crème of the automotive industry was present, including a quite generous delegation from Rolls-Royce. The British company took the chance to launch its new Black Badge Dawn model, the latest to wear the high-performance moniker in the range. However, that was just a small part of what visitors got to see.
Unveiled in the spectacular setting of the Rolls-Royce display area on the Laundry Green, the Dawn Black Badge, flanked by its siblings Wraith Black Badge and Ghost Black Badge, drew huge crowds throughout the weekend. The car shown was presented in a deeply intense shade of black, created by the most exhaustive painting and polishing process ever used for a solid paint color. The roof, which opens in a ‘Silent Ballet’ to allow in the sounds of the night, is in black canvas, whilst the rear deck is finished in black leather.
Rolls-Royce’s history as the world’s pre-eminent coachbuilder is at the very core of its identity as the world’s most celebrated luxury brand. The coachbuilt Rolls-Royce ‘Sweptail’ graced the Festival of Speed in the ‘First Glance’ category, drawing huge crowds whether at rest in the paddock or wafting up the Hillclimb. Inspired by the beautiful coachbuilt Rolls-Royces of the 1920s and 1930s, the patron’s desire was for a coachbuilt two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof.
Apart from these two models, the Black Badge Ghost and Wraith models were also on display while artist Bradley Theodore created unique artwork throughout the event at the Rolls‑Royce Black Badge display area on the Laundry Green. Renowned for his instantly recognizable ‘Dia de los Muertos’ style, Theodore is dedicated to making his art accessible for all to see around the world, producing murals on the streets of Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Oslo and Paris. During the Festival of Speed he created artwork inspired by iconic Rolls-Royce images, including the Spirit of Ecstasy, Double R badge and radiator grille, and also the magnificent Rolls‑Royce ‘Sweptail’.
