A couple in the US were so smitten with their Labrador-Golden Retriever mix named Bailey they wanted to give him more than a pat on the head. They turned to Rolls-Royce, the British maker of ultra-luxury cars, to create a one-off Spectre, called Specture Bailey, that’s as much a tribute to their dog as it is a work of art.
Commissioned through Rolls-Royce’s Private Office in New York, this electric coupe wears its canine inspiration on its sleeve. The exterior has a bespoke paint job called Beautiful Bailey, a colour inspired by the soft fur of Bailey’s ear. It’s paired with Crystal Fusion, an iridescent finish that shimmers in the light, giving the car a wagging tail at every angle. A hand-painted paw print in Rose Gold adorns the coachline, a subtle nod to Bailey that matches the gilded Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet.
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Inside, the pièce de résistance is a marquetry portrait of Bailey, set between the rear seats on the waterfall panel. This took over four months to create, with artisans piecing together over 180 slivers of veneer in 22 different woods. No artificial stains were used – just the raw colours of woods like Purple Heart, Tulipwood, Louro Faia and Pear to capture the texture of Bailey’s coat. His tongue alone required four different wood types, a testament to the amount of love that’s gone into this project. The portrait is so lifelike you half expect Bailey to jump out and chase his tail.
The interior doesn’t stop there. Moccasin and Crème Light leather, with Dark Spice and Casden Tan accents, matches the golden tones of Bailey’s fur. High Gloss Royal Walnut veneer ties it all together, framing the cabin with warmth. A smaller paw print, also in marquetry, is on the passenger-side dashboard and Rose Gold treadplates have engraved paw marks that pop out when the doors open.
Beneath the bespoke bits, the Spectre Bailey is a standard Spectre, which is to say it’s not standard at all. Its electric powertrain has 577 horsepower from a 120 kWh battery that’s good for 266 miles per the WLTP cycle. The owners didn’t opt for the 650-horsepower Black Badge version. For them, the car’s power lies not in its performance but in its ability to preserve their beloved pet.
Phil Fabre de la Grange, head of Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division, described the process as a chance to dive into the clients’ world. “This commission reaffirms that inspiration can come from anywhere,” he said, noting how the team embraced the challenge of translating a dog’s spirit into a car.
