Automotive
Rolls-Royce just leaned into the lore and the laughs by giving its Phantom a chlorinated photo op for the nameplate’s 100th birthday. The brand staged a surreal scene at Tinside Lido in Plymouth, setting a Phantom in shimmering blue water and letting the cameras do the rest. Rock n roll meets swimsuit edition, minus the carnage.
If you were hoping for tire smoke and a dramatic plunge, consider this a more refined kind of anarchy. The brand chose the historic Tinside Lido in Plymouth, a 1930s Art Deco gem perched above the shoreline, and staged the scene with surgical precision. A barge brought the Phantom to the site, a crane lowered it onto a submerged platform, and the waterline was set high enough to make you squint. It looked daring, it felt rebellious, and yet every inch of it was controlled.
That balancing act fits the Phantom’s reputation. It is a luxury flagship with the presence of a parade float and the restraint of a tuxedo. The current car is enormous, longer than a Chevy Suburban, nearly as wide and tall, and the extended-wheelbase version stretches even farther. Park one anywhere and the world notices. Park one in a lido and the internet notices too.
Rolls-Royce wrapped the stunt in a century of musical lore. The marque’s connection to artists spans old Hollywood glamour, classic rock spectacle, and modern hip-hop swagger. Think of the icons who used a Phantom as a calling card, turning it into part of their stagecraft, then fast forward to today’s creators who do the same. The message is simple. Phantom is not just transportation, it is identity.
The poolside setting pulled its weight as well. Tinside Lido’s curves and stripes made the whole tableau feel like a vintage postcard come to life. Sunlight on turquoise water. White concrete. Chrome sparkling where waves meet door seals. It was a carefully built image, yet it captured the kind of rule-bending energy that made the original legend so sticky.
Of course, Rolls did not actually drive the Phantom into the water. There was no wetsuit-clad test driver, no last-minute throttle stab. The company engineered a safe photo moment and let the visuals do the heavy lifting. That restraint is the point. It is a brand confident enough to nod at rebellion without wrecking a car to prove it.
Did it work? Absolutely. The stunt is memorable, shareable, and instantly tied to Phantom’s 100-year story. It honors the myth, sidesteps the mess, and keeps the accountants dry. With a knowing smile to The Who, Rolls-Royce made sure everyone enjoyed the show without feeling fooled.
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Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
