Rolls-Royce Sweptail

Sweptail in brief

The Sweptail is the only car of its kind in the world: a coupé built to the specifications of a single client. It was unveiled at the 2017 Villa d’Este Concours d'Elegance on Lake Como.

The name refers to the long, tapering rear of the body, inspired by the opulent cars and yachts of the 1920s and 1930s.

History and creation

The car came about as Rolls-Royce revived its bespoke (Coachbuild) tradition. According to reports, its creation took several years and was carried out in close collaboration with the client.

It features a handcrafted body on Rolls-Royce architecture, with most of the details uniquely designed rather than borrowed from production models.

Technical details

The Sweptail uses the 6.75-litre V12 engine typical of Rolls-Royce. The base is the company’s aluminium space frame, adapted for the unique body.

A standout feature is the large glass roof section, flooding the interior with light, while the rear is long and tapering.

Significance and where to see it

The Sweptail became the first project of modern Rolls-Royce Coachbuild, followed by the Boat Tail and Droptail. It is often cited as one of the most remarkable one-off cars of recent times.

The car is shown at exhibitions and elegance events, but it's impossible to buy — it's owned by the first customer.

Coachbuild line

The Sweptail is a one-off car, so there are no trims.

The Sweptail and other Coachbuild cars

All three were created according to the same coachbuild philosophy, but the Sweptail is the only one-off car.

Frequently asked questions