In the world of luxury vehicles, everyone is trying to be the best of the best with the most exclusive trims and materials. Designers and automakers go to all ends, modifying their masterpieces with top-dollar finishes. But sometimes, being exclusive can get you in trouble. That’s what happened to a Rolls-Royce Phantom in Italy.
There’s a thin line between being rare and doing illegal mods, and especially when it involves compromising the life of an endangered species. Italy's Customs officials released images of a Rolls-Royce imported from Russia that was recently seized by the country’s foreign department.
The Rolls-Royce had been Imported from Italy
The luxury vehicle was seized after Italy’s custom department discovered its cabin had been upholstered with crocodile leather. The Rolls-Royce owner had imported the car from Russia and was in transit to a Rome-based dealership where it would be resold in Italy.
It’s not the first time anything like this has happened. Rolls-Royce cars are fitted with many rare-earth materials, but this was a first. Apart from using endangered crocodile leather, they also used Hawaiian koa wood and Hermes leather on the dashboard, which is perfectly legal.
The new interior obviously wasn’t certified by Rolls-Royce but done by an aftermarket upholstery. Crocodiles are listed as a protected species under the Washington Convention. However, products can still be manufactured from alligator and crocodile skin. But, you’ll need a certificate of clearance from CITES for the materials to be used in the 160 countries under its jurisdiction—inclusive of Italy.
The Rolls-Royce will likely have its Interior Striped
It’s not uncommon for luxury car owners to use aftermarket shops to customize their vehicles to their liking. Especially when it comes to an emotional purchase like an exotic car. The sky is the limit, and sometimes, sense gets thrown out of the window in the spirit of competition.
Since no authorization papers were present at the bust, the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency has seized the vehicle. They are considering stripping the vehicle's upholstery. While it’s not clear at the moment what legal actions the owner will face, they will likely have to remove the interior and pay hefty fines.
More and more animals are getting extinct, and there’s more pressure on governments and policymakers to conserve them. Therefore, when it comes to customizing your car, it’s advisable to avoid getting into legal problems that could end up costing more than the car and your reputation.
Source: Luxurylaunches