Once every decade or so, Rolls-Royce – that most luxurious of luxury marques – introduces a new innovation, proving that good things come to those who wait. This August, Rolls-Royce announced that it will be saying goodbye to the current iteration of the iconic Ghost with an extremely limited run of the outgoing model, dubbed the ‘Zenith Collectors Edition’.

Limited to just 50 cars, the Zenith collection commemorates the end of the Ghost’s ‘remarkable 10-year tenure’ and features the highest levels of bespoke ever seen on a Ghost Collection car.

The Ghost made its debut 10 years ago at the March 2009 Geneva Motor Show as the Rolls-Royce 200EX. Designed as a ‘more measured, more realistic car’ than the Phantom, it remains the most successful Rolls-Royce model to date and takes its name from the 1907 Silver Ghost. The new Zenith collection pays subtle homage to this classic model in the rear seat embroidery which reflects the original seat details.

But it’s those extravagant yet elegant touches that maketh the Rolls-Royce, and for the Zenith edition, the designers and craftsmen have spared no expense when it comes to exquisite attention to detail. Illuminated door pockets and special wooden marquetry greet you on the interior, and the signature starlight ceiling features a shooting-star configuration made up of a staggering 1,340 individually mapped and hand-woven fibre-optic lights. The centrepiece of each of the 50 cars is a commemorative ingot cast from the 200EX Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, which takes pride of place in the centre console.

The Zenith collection, which is available in three distinctive two-tone colourways, is currently being built by hand at Rolls-Royce’s UK home in Goodwood, West Sussex, and the order books are expected to close ‘imminently’. As for the next generation Ghost, you’ll have to wait until 2021 to catch a glimpse, but at least it’s not another decade of waiting.

rolls-roycemotorcars.com