I live a relatively simple life, I prefer simple accessories, clothes, hair-dos, and up until now I’ve been rather content…now shoes are a different story. My assignment for reporting on luxury items took me on a field trip to the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Atlanta dealership.

Albeit I’d done my online research prior to stopping in at the dealership and felt I had enough information to write my article, little did I know how much I still didn't understand about luxury.

At the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Atlanta  dealership I was greeted by Mr. Robert J. Goldman who gave me the 411 of Rolls-Royce's 2011 Phantom, Phantom drop-head coupe, and the Ghost, described by Robert as being designed to be more of an “owner’s-driven”  luxury motor car.

Mr. Goldman enlightened me about Rolls-Royce Motor Cars which is a British manufacturer of luxury automobiles based at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex, England and owned by BMW. 

The details are the small things that make a huge difference in an ordinary and extraordinary experience and the detailed work of these cars are extraordinary (fake British accent) starting with the exterior flawless finish (it takes seven days and five coats of paint and high gloss clear lacquer), the supple/cozy leather and ergonomically positioned seats (grandmother would have loved this)  wood veneer, fold out table, and no vehicle can be considered luxury without a DVD player.

The "experience" only gets better. Robert points out to me that each Rolls-Royce is hand-built—by now I'm on a cloud -- each car door closes electronically, and there’s an umbrella hidden in the front doors.  Just the feature I need, no more “lost” umbrellas while giving your friends a ride on rainy days (or does that just happen to me).

 Now, I AM a sistah, so I had to ask Robert about the radio which is a patented LOGIC7 audio system and converts to a surround sound experience.

After sitting in a few of the vehicles (back seat of course) as so to experience the rear-hinged coach door, I was beginning to understand the desire for this British luxury car.

Just before leaving, Robert gave me plenty of material to take home to complete my article and based on the product specs for the Ghost Rolls-Royce are all in proportions are all present and correct: the ideal 2:1 ration of the height of the wheels to the height of the body: the long wheelbase and bonnet; the shore overhang at the front and the long overhang at the rear. -Andreas Thurner, Exterior Designer

Are these the dimensions of a car or a woman? Anyhow.

The Ghost may be “simpler” but commands attention as a luxury car. I’m happy I decided to stop in to find out what places this car in the class of “luxury” and I learned from my field trip that luxury is the "experience".

Oops, I almost forgot about the most important detail.

Performance:  Top Speed 155 mph, 0-60 MPH in 4.6 sec (USA), 0-100 MPH in 5.0 sec (USA).

Rolls-Royce Ghost price base: $248,700.

If you’re in Buckhead, GA stop by to see Robert Goldman and tell him I sent you. 

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Atlanta

3040 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30305

By Lukeither Willingham