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Making Of A Commemorative
Rolls-Royce unveils sketches of Wraith Eagle VIII

Rolls-Royce introduced the beautifully crafted Wraith Eagle VIII at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este last month. With only 50 examples will be made, this latest Collection Car pays tribute to the  first non-stop transatlantic flight which happened 100 years ago. The automaker recently released unseen design sketches of Wraith Eagle VIII, detailing how the team brought this commemorative concept to live.

The first non-stop transatlantic flight was undertaken by Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown. Going from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland. The pair was flying in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy aircraft powered by twin 20.3-litre Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. The engine has influenced the exterior design of the Wraith Eagle VIII, as the black grille vanes of the car draw reference to the cowling of the flight engine.

Another design highlight can be found inside the cabin. The clock has an iced background effect that glows green in night time driving conditions. The design references the situation of the first transatlantic flight: the instrument panel was frozen in high altitude and the only illumination in the cabin came from the green glow of the control panel lighting and the flame from the starboard engine. There is also the unique starlight headliner made with 1,183 starlight fibres showing the celestial arrangement during the flight journey.