Rolls-Royce Announces Phantom-Based Convertible Model

Will it be dubbed the Corniche, the name given to the brand's convertible model in 1971 and reintroduced in 1999 with the

Will the new car be dubbed the Corniche, the name given to the brand's convertible model in 1971 and reintroduced in 1999 with the last-generation 2000 through 2002 Silver Seraph-based model? (Photo: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars)

last-generation 2000 through 2002 Silver Seraph-based model? This would be a safe bet, as Rolls would have to dig pretty far into its past to find anything different. Still, the BMW division went back to 1937 to resurrect the Phantom name, the last year the model was built after a 10 year run. If Rolls chose not to go with Corniche and pull a name from its early years, the most likely candidate would be Ghost, taken from the 1926 Springfield Ghost. The only other convertible models were developed by specialized coach builders on what were sedan, or saloon rolling chassis', such as the 1933 Barker Barrel Sided Tourer by Horsefield and the 1934 Gurney Nutting Owen Sedanca Drophead Coupe, but even if these names were available they probably wouldn't play out too well in today's marketing savvy world.

Whatever it gets named, Rolls-Royce will do well to broaden its portfolio with an additional model. Rumor has it the brand will also be looking to reach down-market, following a similar pattern that rival Bentley has chosen with its new Continental GT. Rolls-Royce will do well to consider this move as Bentley will build a convertible model off of the Continental's architecture, as well 4-door sedan, both much less expensive than anything Rolls currently has announced.