At the 2025 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, part of Monterey Car Week, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated a century of Phantom, a prestigious and enduring nameplate in ultra-luxury motoring.
First introduced in 1925 as the successor to the Silver Ghost, the Rolls-Royce Phantom was conceived to exemplify the brand’s engineering excellence, technical refinement, and Bespoke luxury.
The Essence of Phantom
For 100 years, the Phantom name has occupied a unique position in the Rolls-Royce product family and story. While the standards of quality, engineering and design are consistent across all Rolls-Royce motor cars, Phantom has always been the grandest, most impressive motor car being built in series production by the marque at any given moment.
Through all its eight generations, Phantom has never been compromised by existing engineering orthodoxy, fleeting trends or development costs. From Henry Royce’s original New Phantom to today’s Phantom VIII, the essential purpose behind Phantom has always remained the same: to build the motor car that offers owner-drivers and passengers alike the most comfortable, satisfying experience available in the world at that moment in time – the unassailable pinnacle of luxury and motoring excellence.
“One hundred years ago, Rolls-Royce launched the first motor car to bear what would become the most evocative and enduring nameplate in its history: Phantom. Through eight generations, Phantom’s fundamental role as the pinnacle Rolls-Royce motor car has always been the same: to be the most magnificent, desirable and above all, effortless motor car in the world – the very best of the best. In many respects, the history of Phantom is the history of Rolls-Royce: always moving with the times and its clients’ needs and requirements, transcending fleeting trends and providing the setting for the most remarkable executions of craft and artistry, all while resolutely refusing to compromise its core engineering and design principles. We’re proud to continue this tradition of excellence, elegance and serenity into the next 100 years.” – Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
At the Pebble Beach Concours, Rolls-Royce was the first marque to be honored with an ongoing class, frequently filling multiple classes in the Concours’ early years. Today, it remains the most featured marque in the event’s history, with Phantom standing at the pinnacle.
This year’s specially curated “Phantom Centenary” class highlighted six historically significant Rolls-Royce Phantom commissions, to where Rolls-Royce Motor Cars delivered a Phantom VII Coupe and Phantom VIII Extended to round out the century of Phantom editions for a first ever photo and video event featuring ALL EIGHT GENERATIONS.
These commissions included one example of each generation of Phantom including past Pebble Beach award winners and examples once owned by the British Royal Family and global leaders, each embodying the timeless elegance of the marque.
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Ascot Phaeton
This stunning Rolls-Royce Phantom I is one of 21 Ascot Phaetons produced, a design described by Rolls-Royce as a “Sports Phaeton” and named for the aristocratic horse-race held annually in England. In 1929, the Phantom I benefited from several updated features, including an aluminum cylinder head, servo-assisted four-wheel brakes and temperature-controlled radiator shutters. This Springfield-built example also features polished aluminum beltlines, combined with 21-inch wire wheels and roll-up windows, a modification performed by Murphy Coachworks of Pasadena, California. The car was delivered on October 10, 1929, and is featured in Rolls-Royce in America, written by John Webb de Campi. The original chassis, body, and engine have recently undergone extensive restoration to appear at the Concours.
1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Gurney Nutting Sedanca Drophead Coupé
The Phantom II was the last of the Rolls-Royce 40/50 horsepower models, produced from 1929 through 1935. This car is one of 18 built to this iconic design by Chelsea coachbuilder Gurney Nutting on the Phantom II Continental chassis—and is considered by many to be the pinnacle of styling for the era. The Sedanca boasted a bonnet almost half the length of the car. It was created by A. F. McNeil, whose career at coachbuilders Gurney Nutting and James Young lasted until the 1960s. Testament to McNeil’s genius is the fact that all 18 of the Sedancas built still exist, a true indicator of the intrinsic value of McNeil’s design.
1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III H.J. Mulliner Sedanca de Ville
The Phantom III, the final car that Henry Royce worked on, was introduced in 1936, and it was the last V12-powered Rolls-Royce until the Silver Seraph was launched in 1998. The Phantom III chassis ceased production in 1939 but continued to be bodied through 1941. This example boasts H. J. Mulliner Sedanca de Ville coachwork, a design recognized as sinister and gothic-yet ultimately elegant. This 1937 Sedanca de Ville features a disappearing top. It was first owned by the Honorable W. G. Bethell, son of Sir John Henry Bethell. Prior to its ownership by the Nethercutt Collection, this Rolls-Royce won Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours in 1957.
1954 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Hooper Landaulet
At the suggestion of the Duke of Edinburgh and then-Princess Elizabeth, the first Phantom IV was built for the royal couple in 1948. Between 1950 and 1956, 18 more Phantom IV automobiles were constructed for royalty or heads of state only, also featuring the 5.7-liter straight-8 engine on the 145-inch wheelbase. This example was also built specifically for the royal couple and was code named “Jubilee” for the company’s 50th anniversary. The Queen’s yacht “Britannia” was designed explicitly to accommodate the motor car, which, with its Hooper Landaulet coachwork, was ideal for overseas touring and shipped all over the world. This Phantom IV remained in service to the Palace for the next 43 years and attended two royal weddings. Bentley Motors then owned the Phantom IV from 2002 until 2018, when it was acquired by the current caretaker.
1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young Touring Sedanca
The Phantom V was produced from 1959 until 1968. A total of 11 Sedancas were built by James Young on the Phantom V chassis, and this is one of just four right-hand drive touring limousines – a noteworthy bookend to the work of legendary custom-body designer A. F. McNeil. The Sedanca marked the finalé of the coachbuilt era for Rolls-Royce, and the end of the British class divide between the automobile owner and chauffeur. This car was delivered to Mrs. Elsie Richter Tritton, widow of Sir Louis Baron of Black Cat cigarette fortune, and it exhibits several custom features included at her behest. Prior to delivery, it was shown at Earls Court, United Kingdom, in 1960.
1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Mulliner Park Ward State Landaulette
From the introduction of the Phantom V in 1960 through the end of the Phantom VI in 1991, Rolls-Royce built two styles of Landaulettes. The shorter design featured a manually operated convertible top, whereas the longer style known as the State or Ceremonial Landaulette featured a much more complex electrically operated top opening, created largely for royalty and state leaders. This Rolls-Royce is the only left-hand-drive Phantom VI State Landaulette built. It was delivered in 1971 to the Republic of Ivory Coast for use by Head of State Félix Houphouët-Boigny and acquired by the current owner in 2015.
2009 Phantom VII Coupe
This 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé is a striking blend of grand touring performance and bespoke luxury. With only approximately 550 commissions produced from 2006 through 2016, Phantom Coupe is the most exclusive model of the Goodwood era.
As the most driver-focused model of the Phantom VII family, it features a sleek, pillarless two-door design, a long hood, and a fastback rear that evokes classic Rolls-Royce styling.
Phantom Coupé is powered by a 6.75-liter V12 engine producing 453 hp and 531 pound-feet of torque, it delivers effortless acceleration and magic carpet ride.
The luxurious interior includes hand-stitched leather, rich wood veneers, and the optional Starlight Headliner.
With only limited production, the Phantom Coupé remains a refined, rare symbol of modern Bespoke craftsmanship.
2023 Phantom VIII Platino
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Platino, introduced as part of the eighth-generation Phantom Series II update in 2022, is an exclusive expression of the marque’s pinnacle motor car. Limited to just 10 commissions, the Platino is celebrated for its sophisticated design, rare materials, and elevated craftsmanship.
Though named after the element platinum, the Platino is not defined by color alone. Instead, the name reflects a holistic design philosophy focused on understated opulence and contemporary elegance.
Phantom Platino was launched alongside the Series II update, which introduced subtle design refinements including an illuminated grille, a more prominent Spirit of Ecstasy, and refreshed interior elements.
Phantom Platino offers a bespoke silk interior, woven with intricate patterns, offers a soft, luminous texture that redefines modern luxury materials. Distinct platinum-inspired accents throughout the interior and exterior symbolize ultimate craftsmanship.
Phantom Platino is powered by a 6.8-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 563 hp and 664 pound-feet of torque, delivering a top speed of 155 mph.
Congratulatons to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for 100 years of Phantom excellence!
