Whereas I recognize that Rolls styling had to finally abandon much of its traditional look to keep pace with 21st century technology and the need for improved aerodynamic efficiency, I find the latest designs hard to like. Proportions of their lower bodies strike me as being too similar to that of a common brick. I suppose management and stylists were trying to create a car that was as imposing as its price, but otherwise the design makes little aesthetic sense. Besides, classic custom Rolls-Royces from the 1930s were often graceful designs.
As for the new Wraith, I'll withhold some judgment until I actually see one. Trouble is, they are sure to be rare. Perhaps one will turn up next Spring when I'll be in the ritzy Palm Springs part of California for a few weeks. My preliminary reaction to Wraith photos is below.
Three publicity photos of the new Rolls Wraith. The side view suggests that the fastback might be too heavy-looking. But the other views contradict that impression to some extent. The fastback probably counteracts the brick-like appearance of the Rolls body, whereas a bustle-back coupe would have tended to reinforce the heaviness.
This image I found on the Web shows a fastback design on a high-priced car from 66 model years earlier. The wire wheels were not stock items, obviously added at least a few years later than 1948. The exhaust pipe extension isn't an original item either. Regardless, this Cadillac shows how fastbacks were designed when the style was at, or perhaps a little beyond, its initial heyday. I prefer its styling to that of the Wraith because it's lighter, more graceful.
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