Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary marks 100 years of automotive royalty

Rolls-Royce has unveiled its pinnacle of bespoke craftsmanship- the Phantom Centenary Private Collection. This exclusive series, limited to just 25 examples, marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic Rolls-Royce Phantom marque, long considered the peak of opulent automotive craftsmanship and innovation.

Over 40,000 hours were spent developing new techniques to create what the company calls a “fitting tribute” to the Phantom’s century-long legacy. Described as the most intricate and technologically ambitious project ever attempted by Rolls-Royce, the Centenary edition reimagines the Phantom as a rolling piece of art.

A century of luxury and legacy

Since its debut in 1925, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the car of choice for world leaders, royalty, and cultural icons. Rolls-Royce designers, engineers, and artisans have created a tribute that traces the model’s evolution, from the original Phantom I to today’s Phantom VIII. The Bespoke Collective spent over 40,000 hours researching, sketching, and handcrafting details that tell Phantom’s story, resulting in a car that honours the past while showcasing the marque’s future.

“This uncompromising work of art uses the meticulously engineered Phantom VIII as the canvas to tell the story of Phantom’s remarkable life and the people who shaped it,” said Chris Brownridge, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

A glamorous exterior with a golden mascot

Rolls-Royce hasn’t missed the chance to remind the world that the Phantom has always been a star, both on screen and off.

• Two-tone paint: The car features a bespoke two-tone finish, with a black upper body over a white lower section, enhanced by “Super Champagne Crystal.” This clear coat contains iridescent champagne-coloured particles of crushed glass, designed to reference the glamour of 1930s Phantoms and the era’s cinematic style.

• Solid gold mascot: The Spirit of Ecstasy, modelled on the first Phantom’s mascot, is cast in solid 18-carat gold and plated in 24-carat gold. The figurine is hallmarked in London.

• Symbolic wheels: The classic disc wheels are engraved with 25 lines each, marking the 25 cars in the collection. Collectively, the four wheels carry 100 lines, corresponding to the centenary of the Phantom.

An interior woven with history

The Centenary Phantom’s cabin also reflects a century of the model’s evolution over the past 100 years, combining detailed craftsmanship with historical references.

• Laser-etched motifs: The front seats feature leather panels with laser-etched motifs from the Phantom’s history, including a rabbit (the “Roger Rabbit” codename for the 2003 relaunch) and a seagull (the codename for the 1923 Phantom I prototype).

• Groundbreaking woodwork: Door panels for the exclusive Centenary Private Collection showcase the most intricate woodwork yet in a Rolls-Royce. Techniques such as 3D marquetry and 24-carat gold leafing illustrate key locations, including Sir Henry Royce’s homes and the route of a 7,000 km cross-Australia journey completed by the first Phantom born under the ownership of the BMW Group.

• Anthology Gallery: Across the dashboard, 50 3D-printed aluminium fins form the Anthology Gallery. Each fin carries sculpted letters representing quotes from a century of Phantom press coverage.

• Couture rear cabin: The rear seating for this celebratory Phantom combines high-resolution printing and over 160,000 stitches across 45 individually fitted panels. Developed over 12 months with a fashion atelier, the fabric depicts historical Phantom models and abstract references to notable owners.

• Starlight headliner: The Rolls-Royce Centenary Phantom’s headliner features 440,000 embroidered stitches, illustrating key moments from the model’s history. Designs reference Henry Royce at West Wittering, the Goodwood courtyard trees, the Rolls-Royce Apiary, and notable Phantoms such as Sir Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird” Phantom II. Subtle details, including a nod to the 1990s Goodwood design studio, create a contemplative, historically rich cabin experience.

Engine and performance

Mechanically, the Centenary edition remains unchanged from the standard Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII. It retains a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 producing 420 kW and 900 Nm, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Official WLTP figures list a fuel economy of 15.6–16.2 L/100 km.

Under the bonnet too, the Centenary editions get a unique touch in the form of  specially designed engine cover finished in Arctic White with details in 24-carat gold.

An instant collector’s item

The Phantom nameplate was introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 and remained in production for six generations until 1990. Following BMW’s acquisition of the British marque, the model was revived in 2003, with the current eighth-generation debuting in 2017. The Centenary Private Collection commemorates the full lineage and rich history of the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Rolls-Royce has not disclosed buyers of its most prestigious offering, but over the decades, Phantom owners have included Queen Elizabeth II, Elvis Presley, Andy Warhol, and 50 Cent. All 25 examples of the $5 million Centenary Phantom have already been allocated, cementing its status as a notable entry in the marque’s history.

Exclusivity and legacy

Only 25 examples will be built, each reportedly sold. Starting at around £2.5 million (AUS $5.1 million), the Centenary Private Collection celebrates a century of Rolls-Royce’s flagship model. 

With the Centenary Private Collection, the Phantom celebrates 100 years as Rolls-Royce’s ultimate showcase of luxury and craftsmanship.