Celebrating more that 90 years of the most luxurious car in the world.
The launch of the new Rolls Royce Phantom is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the more than 90-year history of the first car’s launch in 1925.
Charles Stewart Rolls, Frederick Henry Royce and Frederick Henry Royce founded Rolls-Royce in 1904. Since 1884, Royce had been making cars under his own name.
The famous mascot ‘The Spirit of Ecstasy’ graces every Rolls-Royce’s front since 1911. The first version was called ‘The Whisper’. Charles Sykes, a sculptor, originally designed it. Earl Montagu of Beaulieu commissioned it for his Rolls-Royce. It is based on Eleanor Velasco Thornton, an English actress. Rolls-Royce later commissioned Sykes to design their own mascot. He adapted his Montagu piece.
Rolls-Royce will launch its new eighth generation Phantom while also opening an exhibition featuring a number of high-profile examples from each generation. This includes a Phantom I owned by Fred Astaire. (Those running boards along the side look large enough to tap dance on …).).
A light blue Phantom II, which Malcolm Campbell bought in 1933 is another exhibit. The Phantom II’s top speed of 95 mph was remarkable for its time, but not for Sir Malcolm.
The Phantom V, owned by John Lennon, will be another highlight of the exhibition. It arrived at his home on June 3, 1965 in Valentine Black. He received his MBE from Buckingham Palace in it that year. It was repainted in February 1967, in the distinctive yellow color. Then it was shipped to the USA in 1970.
The current generation of Rolls-Royce Phantom number seven was launched by the new owners of BMW in 2003. They revived a nameplate that had been dormant since 1991.
The Phantom VII was Rolls-Royce’s modern-era masterpiece. It was enormous, had a luxurious interior, and included neat touches like the umbrellas that were hidden behind the doors.