Even with the car draped in darkness, we thought early photos of the Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion looked good - but that was before we saw the ragtop Roller in broad daylight.  Following the car's official debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, we've got more details on the custom-built convertible.

Commissioned by Roland Hall, a Rolls-Royce collector, the Hyperion resembles convertibles of the 1930s.  Certainly, the proportions (that hood's long enough for a shuffleboard court) are a throwback, but the Hyperion's side surfaces- sculpted with a number of flowing forms and a strong chamfered shoulder - recall Rolls-Royces of days gone by.

What lies underneath, however, is anything but retro.  Using the current Phantom Drophead Coupe as its basis, Pininfarina crafted the all-new body from carbon fiber.  The car features other modern touches including the requisite bi-xenon projector headlamps and LED taillights.

Sure, it's devoid of a backseat.  No, it doesn't have that sexy stainless-steel upper-body treatment of the Drophead Coupe.  But you know what?  We'd argue that the Hyperion looks much more elegant and sumptuous - two aspects that go hand-in-hand with the Spirit of Ecstasy.