2025 marks the centennial celebration of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, a vehicle that has redefined luxury on the roads since its debut in 1925. With just months left in this commemorative year, the British marque has unveiled what may be the most opulent Phantom ever created: the Centenary Private Collection.
The international media first laid eyes on this masterpiece earlier this month when Rolls-Royce showcased what it described as the most intricate wood detailing ever crafted for one of its vehicles. Little did anyone suspect that this was merely the tip of the iceberg, as this Phantom boasts an array of luxurious and groundbreaking features that leave one in awe.
Rolls-Royce reveals that the creation of this vehicle spanned three years: one year dedicated to researching the Phantom’s history, another to assembling the aforementioned wood detailing, and over 40,000 hours of actual craftsmanship. The fruits of this labor are evident in every aspect of the vehicle, beginning with its exterior.
The first thing you’ll notice is the bespoke two-tone paintwork, designed to evoke the Phantom models of the 1930s, a period that also marked Hollywood’s golden age of cinema.
On the sides, Super Champagne Crystal is layered over Arctic White, while the upper body features Super Champagne Crystal over black. Rolls-Royce replaced the standard clear coat with champagne-colored particles, adding depth and sophistication.
At the front, the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is reimagined in a special edition. Inspired by the first Spirit of Ecstasy mounted on a Phantom, this version is cast in solid 18-carat gold and plated with 24-carat gold. It rests on a hand-cast white glass enamel base, where the Centenary name is inscribed.
Notable highlights include the RR Badge of Honor, featured on the front, rear, and sides. For the first time, these badges are plated with 24-carat gold and white enamel. The vehicle is equipped with large Phantom disc wheels, each featuring 25 spokes.
The true marvel of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary, however, lies within. Opening the door, you step not into a car, but into a fairy tale of storytelling, crafted with the world’s finest materials and techniques, blending metal, wood, paint, fabric, leather, and embroidery.
Starting with the front seats, they are upholstered in leather and adorned with laser-etched artwork based on hand drawings. These artworks depict various elements, including nods to the brand’s past, such as the 1923 Phantom I prototype and the 2003 relaunch of Rolls-Royce.
As the Phantom is technically designed to chauffeur its owner in the rear, this is where the company’s designers focused most of their attention.
Encased in hand-woven Aubusson carpets, these carpets tell three layers of stories: the base layer depicts historical landmarks and artifacts of the Phantom, the middle layer showcases past Phantom models, and the top layer reveals silhouettes of seven significant owners from each Phantom generation.
To achieve this design, Rolls-Royce executed 160,000 stitches, assembling 45 individual artwork panels, “each precisely aligned and fitted to the curvature of the seat“. According to the British company, this is the “most complex seat design Rolls-Royce has ever created“.
Next are the door panels, where Rolls-Royce crafted the most intricate wood details ever designed by the brand. Using Blackwood as the base, the designers chose to depict geographical maps, routes, landscapes, floral patterns, and images of test vehicles.
For example, on the left front door, the design commemorates the 4,500-mile (7,242 km) journey of the first Goodwood-era Phantom across the Australian continent. On the opposite front door panel, we see West Wittering, Sir Henry Royce’s summer residence.
In contrast, on the rear doors, we find images of the Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer coastline, where Sir Royce spent his winters, along with depictions of the native flora of southern France and the exact location of Royce’s home.
The entire design is accented with a 24-carat gold-plated road, continued by gold embroidery threads – a nod to the Phantom’s century-long journey through our world. Finally, images of the original 1925 Phantom I and the current Phantom VIII are individually engraved on the rear picnic tables.
Two subtle details were exclusively designed for the Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary. First is the bespoke Arctic White cover, meticulously plated with 24-carat gold, protecting the 6.75-liter V12 engine under the hood. Second is the Starlight headliner, embroidered with 440,000 stitches.
The Phantom Centenary is not merely a design exercise but a product from which Rolls-Royce intends to profit. The company will produce 25 units of this historic collection, likely to be sold at an undisclosed price to Rolls-Royce’s most loyal customers.
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