Rolls-Royce positions itself as a home of art and Phantom is an enduring heritage icon. Over nearly 100 years and 8 generations, Rolls-Royce Phantom continues to maintain the essence and spirit that entrepreneurs Charles Rolls and engineer Henry Royce aimed for.
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM: A CENTURY, AN ICON
In line with Rolls-Royce’s history, in December 1904, the first car introduced by Rolls-Royce to the world was called 40/50 Silver Ghost (also known as Rolls-Royce 10HP) – dubbed the ‘best car in the world’ – also the first car born under the partnership of two founders Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce, only 6 months after deciding to build a Rolls-Royce ’empire’ to this day.
In 1925, nearly 20 years after the official establishment of the Rolls-Royce brand since 1906, the first Phantom was introduced to the connoisseur – Phantom I – ‘The New Phantom’ opened a new era for car enthusiasts in the past centuries.
Phantom I – ‘The New Phantom’ – the first design named Phantom, is considered the closest descendant of the Rolls-Royce 10HP model.
Not long after, in 1929, Rolls-Royce introduced Phantom II – a version that almost set a basic milestone for the development of Phantom models until later, over an exact 97-year process with 8 different versions. Especially, Phantom II appeared in the film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), exactly 60 years after its launch.
Phantom II – the design is considered to shape the standard curves of the Phantom line until today.
In the mid-1930s, Phantom III was introduced, and another memorable milestone: it was the first and only Rolls-Royce in the Rolls-Royce family to use a V12 engine until 1998, after the appearance of the Silver Seraph. The chassis for the final Phantom III was crafted in 1941, but it was not until 1947 that it was delivered to the owner with a completed coachbuilt body. In addition, the Phantom III is also a ‘movie star’ – a model that appears in the 1964 James Bond film, in which the main antagonist Auric Goldfinger is the owner. At that time, the Phantom III was nearly 25 years old and was still running very well.
The Phantom III in the movie Goldfinger (1964)
Completely different from the previous 3 generations, the 4th generation Rolls-Royce Phantom was initially crafted exclusively for royalty and heads of state. The story began in 1939 when Rolls-Royce introduced an experimental car to find a successor to the Phantom III. The development process of the car lasted throughout and after World War II. The official name of this car is Comet, but many people called it the “Scalded Cat”, implying its powerful performance. With its reputation, the Scalded Cat was often used by influential individuals, including Prince Philip – Duke of Edinburgh. Very impressed with the car’s performance, he asked Rolls-Royce to produce a completed version exclusively for him and his wife – later Queen Elizabeth II – for their daily use.
Phantom IV owned by Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III
On November 15, 1948, the official order from the Royal Family arrived with a request to manufacture a Rolls-Royce for the Prince and the Queen. Initially, the car manufacturer planned to produce only one Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, and Prince Philip would be the driver. With the success in terms of image and quality, the car continued to be used in a special project at the request of the Spanish government.
After these special events, Rolls-Royce implemented the “Royalty and Heads of State only” policy – exclusively reserved for the Royal Family and Heads of State. From 1950 to 1956, only 18 Rolls-Royce Phantom IVs were produced and owned by the British Royal Family or high-ranking positions of other countries such as Spain, Iraq, or Kuwait… Many famous people yearn to own this prestigious model but still cannot get their hands on the symbol of absolute power.
Up to now, Rolls-Royce Phantom IVs still operate normally and are always witnesses to major events worldwide. This is the model that plays an important role in the journey of building the image of authority, firm attitude, and distinctive brand value of the Phantom line until now. With its elegant and dignified design but not extravagant, Phantom IV reaches the standard of enduring beauty over time. The image of the Phantom IV rolling through major international events such as the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton… still captivates the hearts of those passionate about timeless classic beauty and is also a symbol of Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV at a royal wedding
After the success of the Phantom IV, Rolls-Royce started the 5th generation of this large sedan. Unlike its predecessor, the Rolls-Royce Phantom V is equipped with a V8 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission. Owners of this model can choose between 2 prestigious coachbuilders: Park Ward and James Young. The car was used by Queen Elizabeth II as well as many famous people like singers John Lennon, Elton John, Elvis Presley… Currently, the 2 Phantom Vs of the British Royal Family are displayed at the Sandringham Car Museum and the Royal Museum HMY Britannia.
Rolls-Royce Phantom V owned by singer John Lennon
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM VIII: OPENING A NEW ERA
In the 21st century, Rolls-Royce continues to assert itself as the brand that sets the strictest standards for quality, aesthetics, and uniqueness. It is from these principles that the car manufacturer introduced the 8th generation Phantom on July 27, 2017. Inheriting the technologies of the modern era as well as continuing the brand’s 100-year tradition, Phantom VIII was formed on the “Architecture of Luxury” platform, which first appeared in the history of the brand, with the car’s main structure made of aluminum alloy. These improvements have revived Rolls-Royce’s prestigious Coachbuild art, allowing collectors to unleash their creativity and emotions to create masterpieces in terms of art and technology.
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM BOHEMIAN RED: ASSERTING DOMINANCE
Rolls-Royce always puts the satisfaction of the owner’s individuality and personal stamp at the top. Therefore, the British car manufacturer offers more than 44,000 different paint shades, as well as the ability to accurately replicate the preferred color of collectors. One of the rare and emotional colors is the Bohemian Red.
To fully display the artistry of Phantom’s paint, the craftsmen had to apply up to 5 layers of paint, not to mention many layers of protective coating.
When getting closer, we might be overwhelmed by the free-spirited and emotional aura of the Bohemian Red exterior color. Like its name suggests, this red hue represents the desire for freedom, breaking limits and routines in life. When in the dark, Bohemian Red brings a mysterious allure like a Bohemian girl. But when stepping into the light, a series of emotions explode with the red color of Cabernet Sauvignon wine and the exquisite crystal effect. This is also a rare choice on the Rolls-Royce cars in Vietnam.
To fully display the artistry of Phantom’s paint, the craftsmen had to apply up to 5 layers of paint, not to mention many layers of protective coating. The meticulous process creates a deep shine, faithfully reflecting the surrounding space onto the car, and the Phantom itself is the most prominent reflection of the owner’s success. The entire painting process of a Rolls-Royce Phantom takes more than 7 days and is all done by hand at the Goodwood factory in southern England.
Drawn inspiration from the Pantheon temple, the craftsmen have distributed different thicknesses between the slats to create a symmetrical visual effect when viewed from the front.
Not only the impressive and long-lasting exterior color, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom Red Bohemian also evokes emotions with the brand’s traditions. To leave the most unforgettable and profound impression of each Rolls-Royce car, that is the large-sized Pantheon Grille. Inspired by Rome’s ancient architecture, this detail is handcrafted and polished for many hours, bringing unique shades among the cars. Drawn inspiration from this temple, the craftsmen have distributed different thicknesses between the slats to create a symmetrical visual effect when viewed from the front.
When mentioning Rolls-Royce, we often immediately think of the pinnacle of handcrafted art. This is vividly illustrated by the artistic execution of the traditional Coachline. The process of creating this masterpiece does not allow any imperfections, not even a millimeter on the nearly 6-meter-long pattern but only about 4 mm wide. Each Coachline carries a spiritual value, the desire to pursue perfection that Rolls-Royce as well as the owner wants to convey to the Phantom.
Continuing the peak experience of Rolls-Royce in the interior of the Phantom.
Contrary to the Bohemian Red exterior color, the interior space features a soft Smoke Gray color, alongside contrasting details and stitching lines in Ardent Red. The independent seat design brings a similar experience to first-class cabins on flights. At this moment, the senses gradually receive the soothing experience that the Phantom brings: the smoothness and coolness of the premium leather interior treated delicately combined with massage function, the fragrance from the interior, the melodious sound from the surround sound system, and a chilled glass of champagne from the refrigerator in the rear seats.
As a tradition of the brand, the Gallery display space in the front cabin brings collectors to a different dimension, where they can contemplate timeless artworks. The Phantom logo is designed as if it is floating and flowing on the Gallery, connecting with the handcrafted analog clock expertise of the artists at Goodwood.
The trims of the Gallery display space are still a highlight in the interior, representing the longstanding tradition of the brand.
The genuine Smoked Chestnut wood interior trim soothes the pressures of life and brings the car owner closer to nature. To serve work and entertainment, Rolls-Royce is equipped with full options such as a picnic table, entertainment screen for the rear seats, Apple Carplay connectivity for smartphones…
The experience of a Rolls-Royce Phantom is not just about driving or enjoying a glass of champagne in the rear seats. In fact, the feeling of gliding on a cloud, or the “Magic Carpet Ride”, is achieved thanks to the air suspension system with a capacity of up to 16 liters, combined with the active suspension and self-adjusting springs after every 5 thousandths of a second. Combined with the navigation system, the car will select the most suitable gear for the upcoming terrain, recognized by a multi-tasking camera. In addition, intelligent sensors help prevent accidents by continuously scanning the road surface and stopping when detecting danger ahead.
Each Rolls-Royce launched must adhere to the guidelines set by Henry Royce, no matter how many generations have passed.
Embodying the philosophy of “Strive for Perfection” by Mr. Henry Royce, this is what always urges the engineers at Goodwood to relentlessly conquer challenges, and this time it is to perfect the brand’s strength: the soundproofing ability of the Phantom. The goal of the brand is to create a solemn space of tranquility and quietness, bringing the driver and passengers the most luxurious and classy relaxation. Rolls-Royce has invested heavily in the structure of the car’s frame with insulating and soundproofing pads with a thickness of up to 60 mm. The “Silent-Seal” tire with the Continental brand is made with specialized foam layers to minimize the road noise entering the cabin by up to 9 decibels. And from there, the Phantom becomes the testimony that “whispered words are the most powerful.”
With nearly 100 years of existence, Rolls-Royce Phantom is not just an ordinary vehicle. It is also an artwork, a bridge that creates great milestones, not only in the personal life of the owner but also for humanity. Rolls-Royce designers and engineers understand that perfection is an infinite goal: the Phantom continues its journey in search of ultimate perfection. With these aspirations, the car will always be an indispensable part of history, as well as the ability to operate efficiently for at least 400 years before being handed over to collectors.
NNP (Tuoitrethudo)