Rolls-Royce Marks 100 Years of Phantom

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has completed a year of celebrations marking the centenary of Phantom, the marque's pinnacle product and most recognized nameplate in luxury automotive history. Throughout 2025, the company hosted commemorative events across five continents while unveiling specially commissioned vehicles.

The original Phantom, designed by Sir Henry Royce, debuted in 1925. Over eight generations spanning 100 years, the model has maintained its position as the company's flagship offering, representing what the manufacturer describes as unassailable luxury and engineering excellence.

Central to the centenary celebrations was the Phantom Centenary Private Collection, limited to 25 examples. The collection features an iridescent two-tone exterior finished in Super Champagne Crystal over Arctic White and Black, crowned with a solid gold Spirit of Ecstasy. Interior features include an Anthology Gallery composed of sculpted words from 100 years of media coverage, a Starlight Headliner with 440,000 stitches, and door panels combining 3D marquetry with 24-carat gold leafing.

The company also commemorated Phantom's connection to music and art. A retired Phantom Extended body shell was submerged in the Art Deco Tinside Lido in Plymouth, England, referencing drummer Keith Moon's legendary 21st birthday party. The location holds additional significance as the Beatles visited while filming The Magical Mystery Tour in 1967, the same year John Lennon debuted his yellow hand-painted Phantom V.

Clients worldwide commissioned bespoke Phantoms for 2025 delivery, many beginning the process years in advance. Notable commissions include Phantom Year of the Dragon for a Chinese client, featuring dragons depicted in 768 red and 576 white fiber-optic stars; Phantom Cherry Blossom for a Japanese client, incorporating over 250,000 stitches of 3D embroidery; and Phantom Dentelle, a tribute to couture lace with more than 230,000 stitches across eight embroidery techniques.

Every Phantom hand-crafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood during 2025 received a special centenary chassis plaque.

Global celebrations included appearances at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival in the UK, and a dedicated class at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in North America where all eight generations of Phantom were united. In Asia, events took place in Tokyo, Singapore, and Shanghai, while the Middle East hosted showcases in Qatar, Dubai, Riyadh, Manama, and Abu Dhabi.

The company is progressing construction on a £300 million extension at its Goodwood facility to house advanced equipment and capabilities dedicated to bespoke manufacturing. According to Chief Executive Chris Brownridge, the centenary provided an opportunity to honor the nameplate's legacy while establishing direction for its next century.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Group, employs over 2,500 people at Goodwood, West Sussex, where all vehicles are designed, engineered, and hand-built.