Celebrating 100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Over the years, this car has consistently set the standard for opulence and engineering excellence and embodies a rich legacy of timeless luxury and craftsmanship.

In celebration of this very special anniversary, we take the opportunity to go back to the beginning and look at the history, craftsmanship and innovation of every generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom and how each has been built on the excellence of the previous generation. The first Rolls-Royce Phantom was produced in 1925 and since then as it has evolved it has retained its signature luxury. That has made it world famous.

Rolls-Royce Phantom I (1925-1932)

The Phantom I was completed in 1925 and was a replacement for the Silver Ghost. It was the luxury flagship of Rolls-Royce, although the company also made the smaller and less expensive 20hp model. A total of 3,512 Phantoms 1s were

hand-built between two factories in Derby, England and Springfield, Massachusetts. The “New Phantom” was the second 40/50hp model made by Rolls-Royce with a 7.7Litre six cylinder engine for smoothness and power.  It was very different in design and engineering from previous models. It became well known for how quiet it was and how reliable. It was the first Rolls-Royce to feature the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy emblem on the bonnet.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom name is said to have been chosen to evoke a sense of mystery elegance, and  quiet power- it was a vehicle that seemed to glide silently and effortlessly, like a "phantom" on the road.

In those days, Rolls-Royce only built the chassis and mechanical parts of the Phantom. The cars were then handed to coach builders selected by the buyer so the car could be made to the new owner’s taste and preferences. Some of the most famous British coach builders at that time included include Barker, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper.

Fun Fact: The very first person to take delivery of the first Phantom I was a prominent American – Howard Hughes, the aviation pioneer.         

Phantom II (1929-1935)

The Phantom II was only produced at the Derby factory and production began in 1929. 1,681 Phantom II were made and this generation came in two very different versions the “regular” car and the “continental version” – a popular sports saloon. A ‘shooting brake’ version was also introduced with wood panelling on the sides and rear of the car. The Phantom II was the last car to be designed by Sir Henry Rolls.

The Phantom II featured improvements in both its design and engineering. A smoother performance was achieved from the 7.4 litre, six-cylinder engine and the chassis and suspension system had both been adjusted. This car looked more streamlined and modern and drivers found it had improved handling, whilst passengers found it more comfortable.

Fun fact: The Phantom II appeared in the movie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Phantom III (1936-1939)

The Phantom III was the last large pre-war car made by Rolls-Royce from the golden era of coach building. Rolls-made built 727 chassis of the Phantom III in the factory in Derby.

To compete with its American competitors including Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard, Rolls-Royce launched the third generation of Phantom with a new 7.3 litre V12 engine with up to 180 Horsepower. The engine was more compact, allowing for a shorter bonnet and more space for passengers. Independent front suspension was a new feature for greater comfort and other luxury additions included leather upholstery and an advanced climate control system. The Phantom III also had increased aerodynamics which improved its performance.

Fun fact: A Phantom III was used in the James Bond movie Goldfinger to carry a heavy weight of gold that was being smuggled around Europe.

Phantom IV (1950 - 1956)

After the end of the second world war, Rolls-Royce only made 18 Phantom IV cars. Models in this limited edition of the Phantom were only sold to the British Royal Family and Heads of State. Equipped with a new 5.7 litre V8 engine, it was perfect for long distance runs at a very low speed so was ideal for ceremonies and parades.

Luckily for Rolls-Royce, The British royal family was looking to replace their ageing fleet of Daimler Cars and Rolls-Royce produced a one-off long-chassis limousine with coachwork by H.J Mulliner. All of the Phantom IVs were extensively customised to meet the specific needs of their distinguished passengers.

Fun Fact: The customised Phantom IV Limousine used by the late Queen Elizabeth II as her official state car has been used for many royal events including the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 and to take the new king, Charles III and Queen Camilla to Westminster Hall in 2022.

Phantom V (1959-1968)

The Phantom V soon became well known for its impressive size, luxury and  sophistication and 832 of these limousines were made over a nine-year period. The chassis and engine were built in Crewe (UK) by Rolls-Royce. This fifth generation Phantom featured a coach-built body style by James Young and Park Ward - a specialist coach-building company that had been purchased by Rolls-Royce.

The Phantom V was a large four-door limousine with a longer wheelbase than previous Phantoms, so that it gave passengers more interior space. This generation came with a 6.2 litre V8 engine. Air conditioning was added along with other modern touches such as improved soundproofing, which made it ideal for longer journeys.  Celebrities including Elton John, Elvis Presley and John Lennon all purchased the Rolls-Royce Phantom V.

Fun Fact: Anyone buying a Rolls Royce can choose choose the colour they choose from 44,000 different shades plus any stripes or motifs which are all hand-painted. When John Lennon bought his Phantom V,  he definitely chose a very distinctive design.

Phantom VI (1968-1990)

374 Phantom VI limousines were assembled at the Rolls-Royce Goodwood assembly plant in West Sussex. This was the final design of classic Phantoms before Rolls-Royce changed its focus to more modern designs. Powered by a 6.7 litre V8 engine, the Phantom VI was a streamlined and practical design offering luxury comfort to its passengers, which was ideal for longer journeys. Advanced technology made it extremely reliable too.

The coachwork of the Phantom VI was created by the in-house coach builder Mulliner Park Ward. (H. J. Mulliner had merged with Park Ward  in 1961 to form Mulliner Park Ward).It took the coach builder an average of 18 months to finish the vehicle. Most sixth generation Rolls-Royce were made as limousine version, with just a few Landaulette being made. The main difference between the two being that Landaulette had a convertible roof section over the rear seats, rather than a fixed roof. 

Fun fact: The late Queen Elizabeth II had several Rolls-Royce Phantom VI. When carrying the Queen,  the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot ornament on top of the radiator grill was replaced by a model of Saint George slaying the dragon.

Phantom VII (2003-2016)

Following the production of the last Phantom VI in 1991, there was a gap in production of 12 years because there was a change in ownership of Rolls-Royce when it was acquired by BMW in 1998. Consequently, there was also a shift in manufacturing and the Rolls-Royce factory was restructured as BMW took over design and production of the Phantom. The Phantom VII was launched in 2003 and was the first model developed under BMW’s ownership of the company and the only type of Rolls-Royce produced for six years - it marked a new era.

The Phantom VII was powered by a 6.75 litre V12 engine and had an all aluminium frame which reduced its weight but provided added strength. This model also featured advanced electronics, air suspension and many luxury finishes – including options like hand-crafted wood and leather. The Phantom VII was also fitted with a GPS system and an advanced climate control system. 

The traditional Spirit of Ecstasy ornament had an automatic electronic retraction mechanism to prevent theft and also to protect pedestrians in the event of an accident. It could by retracted by the driver at the touch of a button or when the alarm was enabled. The ornament base contained a sensor that detected movement and retracted if someone tampered with it. The distinctive "RR" logos on each of the wheel hubs were  designed as independent bezels to always remain in the upright position whilst the wheel was revolving.

Phantom VIII (2017- present day)

Production of the eighth generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom began in 2017 and has taken luxury to a new level with cutting-edge technology and a refined design. It has a 6.75 litre turbo charged V12 engine and a new all-aluminium body for extra comfort and efficiency. The automatic 8-speed gearbox is linked to a GPS receiver which analyses the car’s location and speed to optimise gear changes.

Other features include a digital dashboard. In the cabin, there is an advanced sound system and ambient lighting. The suspension system is linked to a stereo camera which scans the road ahead and preconfigures the spring and damper rates to improve the quality of the drive.“Silent-seal” tyres have been co-developed by Rolls-Royce and Continental Tyres for the Phantom VIII and these reduce the sound level in the cabin by nine decibels. The luxurious interior has many custom-made features and can include unique artwork and precious metals

The series II model of the Phantom VIII appeared in 2023 and is still assembled at the Goodwood plant in West Sussex.

Fun fact: The Phantom VIII features ‘The Gallery’ a custom-designed display of art  that stretches across the dashboard. Owners can showcase their favourite paintings, sculptures or even rare woods and minerals – the choice is theirs!

Phantom into the future – Will there be a Phantom IX?

As Rolls-Royce celebrates the centenary of its iconic Phantom, it marks 100 years of unmatched innovation, luxury and craftsmanship. The Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the epitome of automotive excellence and has set the standard for luxury cars. Looking to the future, the Phantom will continue to evolve as designers listen to their ever increasingly eco-conscious customers. The Spectre – the company’s first all-electric car was successfully launched in October 2022.

Designers are focusing on cutting edge electric technology and sustainable luxury for the next generation of its limousines. As is usual, there will be an element of surprise and there has been no announcement that this will include Phantom XIV.

One thing is for sure is that they will design a superb and technologically advanced vehicle, whilst maintaining the timeless elegance that defines the Rolls-Royce Phantom….