25-Unit Phantom Centenary Unveiled as Rolls-Royce’s Ultimate Artwork
Rolls-Royce is celebrating 100 years of its iconic Phantom with a private collection of 25 Centenary models, which are true works of art pushing the boundaries of craftsmanship and opulence for the English manufacturer.
This very special edition, inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, features a two-tone body combining black and arctic white, but the highlight is the super champagne crystal finish that creates a shimmering effect by integrating microscopic glass fragments.
This timeless treatment is crowned with a unique reimagining of the Spirit of Ecstasy figurine atop the front grille, cast in solid 18-carat gold for strength, then plated in 24-carat gold for a tarnish-resistant finish. For the first time, the ‘RR’ badges are presented in 24-carat gold and white enamel. And what about the disc wheels? Each one is engraved with 25 lines honouring the 25 cars within the collection and, together, making 100 lines to celebrate the centenary year.
But wait, the interior is even more stunning. The seats, starlight headliner and door panels are all adorned with ultra-sophisticated and detailed motifs representing elements of nature, landscapes, buildings and, of course, vehicles evocative of the Phantom's history.
The rear seats are inspired by the famed 1926 ‘Phantom of Love’, commissioned with handwoven Aubusson tapestries. The artwork on the seats unfolds across three distinct layers of storytelling. The first is the background, rendered in high-resolution print, showing places and artefacts from Phantom’s history. The second layer, also printed in high resolution, portrays great Phantoms of the past in finely drawn detail. The third and uppermost layer is formed of embroideries, abstractly representing seven significant owners from every generation of Phantom. Rolls-Royce says this complex fabric was developed over 12 months in partnership with a fashion atelier.
Up front, the seats are upholstered in white leather, and their designs also tell the Phantom's story. For example, the rabbit refers to the codename (Roger Rabbit) for the relaunch of Rolls-Royce in 2003, while the seagull does the same with the first Phantom prototype in 1923.
The 50 3D-printed, vertically brushed aluminium ‘fins’ on the passenger-side dashboard, interlaced like pages of a book, are equally impressive. And then there’s the most intricate woodwork ever created for a Rolls-Royce. Rendered in stained Blackwood, the door panels show geographical maps, winding routes, sweeping landscapes, floral elements and depictions of experimental motor cars. You can see the coastline of Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer where Sir Henry Royce spent his winters or the epic 7,200km journey of the first-ever Goodwood-era Phantom that crossed the Australian continent.
Rolls-Royce, which never forgets a single detail, also took care to paint the V12 engine cover in arctic white and decorate it with 24-carat gold accents.
How much for the Phantom Centenary? Well, that will be a secret among the 25 future owners, we guess.