Rolls-Royce Recaps The Phantom’s 100 Years Of Celebrity Owners

Rolls-Royce tells the century-long story of the Phantom.

Very few automotive manufacturers in the history of the industry have been around for a hundred years, let alone a legendary flagship model nameplate. That is, however, the case for the Rolls-Royce Phantom, which has represented the pinnacle of the brand’s ultra-luxury approach to design, engineering, and craftsmanship for 100 years since first being introduced in 1925. Throughout that time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has remained a mainstay in pop culture and a shining symbol of automotive excellence throughout the industry, and Rolls-Royce is honoring the incredible centenary by telling the story of the Phantom’s cherished legacy.

Nicknamed ‘the Spartan General,’ Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, who played an instrumental role during World War II, used two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, not only as his personal transport, but as a symbol of solidity and authority during the dark times of the war. A 1936 Phantom III was his day-to-day car, which was used to bring Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower, and even King George VI to planning sessions in the lead-up to D-Day. Another Phantom III assigned to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff was also used during wartime, with prominent passengers in that car, as well.

The Royal Family of the United Kingdom made use of the Rolls-Royce Phantom throughout the flagship’s history, as well. The Duke of Edinburgh’s car was the first Rolls-Royce Phantom IV chassis, with the codename “Maharajah of Nabha” to keep it secret during development. The “Majarajah” car remains in active service at the Royal Mews today. Other Royal Phantoms include another Phantom IV, two Vs, and two VIs. However, the Phantom V has an impact in the UK beyond the Royal Family, with John Lennon of the Beatles famously commissioning one, originally in all black. However, the car’s most famous appearance came from a rebirth in 1967, when it was repainted yellow with an intricate floral motif.

Silent film stars owned Phantoms, including Mary Pickford’s, which had a secret compartment for alcohol during the Prohibition years, and old Hollywood legends like Greta Garbo and Fred Astaire had Phantoms, as well. However, an incredibly notable appearance for the Phantom on screen was in Goldfinger, where the 007 film’s titular villain drove one to carry out his gold smuggling scheme. Over the years, Rolls-Royce would make 12 appearances in 007 films. The Yellow Rolls-Royce, a film that also premiered in 1964, also starred a Phantom as the connecting thread between its anthology of three stories. Elvis Presley also famously owned a Phantom, which was commissioned with touches reminiscent of his rock’n’roll legend status.

In the 2000s, Goodwood became a new home for Rolls-Royce, and with it came an entirely new Phantom, one that has since transformed and become an even more permanent fixture in pop culture as an ultra-luxury car, with appearances in music videos like Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot, and Drake’s Started From The Bottom. Brands like Hermès and visionary haute couture designers like Iris Van Herpen have used the Phantom as a canvas for stunning expression and avant-garde beauty, and its incredible craftsmanship and opulence have served as inspiration for fans and the basis for stunning commissions, one-offs, and luxurious automotive expressions. With over a hundred years of history, the Rolls-Royce Phantom shines as one of the greatest aspirational automotive icons and a representation of the best the luxury automotive industry has to offer throughout that entire century. Below are some of the best examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale right now, listed on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985.