A century after the original Phantom I debuted in 1925, Rolls-Royce has revealed a fitting tribute to its most enduring nameplate. The Phantom Centenary Collection honors one hundred years of the Phantom with a run of just 25 cars that showcase the pinnacle of the marque’s coachbuilding, materials science, and meticulous hand craftsmanship. Rolls-Royce calls it the most intricate and technologically advanced Private Collection in its history, a claim underlined by an extraordinary 40,000 hours devoted to design, development, prototyping, and build.
This limited edition is more than a commemorative badge. It reinterprets iconic cues from early Phantoms through contemporary artistry. From a striking black and white two-tone finish inspired by the golden age of Hollywood to a grille crafted in 18-carat gold and plated in 24-carat gold, every surface tells a story. Inside, couture-level textiles sit beside stained Blackwood veneers and three-dimensional marquetry depicting famous Phantom journeys, all framed by subtle gold leaf accents. Beneath the bonnet, the familiar 6.75 litre twin-turbocharged V12 remains, topped with an Arctic White engine cover traced with fine 24-carat detailing.
Design Philosophy and Exterior Detailing
The Phantom Centenary Collection draws directly from the lineage of the early Phantoms while presenting a thoroughly modern silhouette. The two-tone black and white paintwork references classic cinema and early motoring glamour, while the surfacing is carefully balanced to emphasize Phantom’s long bonnet, upright grille, and graceful coachline. Subtle gold accents have been applied with restraint to avoid ostentation and to echo the warm glow of period cinematography.
At the heart of the front fascia sits an 18-carat gold grille finished with 24-carat gold plating, inspired by the earliest iterations of the Phantom’s emblematic front treatment. The centerpiece receives a special Phantom Centenary hallmark, certified by the Hallmarking and Assay Office in London. The grille base is treated with an enamel finish that offers a glasslike depth and durability, a nod to the artisanal crafts used in jewelry and timepieces.
Quick Summary
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
Model |
Rolls-Royce Phantom Centenary Collection |
Purpose |
Celebrates 100 years of Phantom since Phantom I in 1925 |
Production |
Limited to 25 units worldwide |
Crafting Time |
More than 40,000 hours of design and build work |
Exterior Theme |
Two-tone black and white with subtle gold accents |
Grille and Icon |
18-carat gold with 24-carat gold plating and a special Centenary hallmark |
Interior Highlights |
Couture-inspired rear seats, new inks and finishes, 45 unique textile panels |
Woodwork |
Stained Blackwood veneer with 3D marquetry, ink layering, and gold leaf |
Powertrain |
6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 with Arctic White cover and 24-carat trim |
Official Site |
Dimensions of Craft and Color
The paint process involves multiple layers, hand flatting, and a final polish that brings out a mirrorlike clarity. The two-tone split is engineered to highlight Phantom’s architecture while ensuring perfect transitions at panel edges and shut lines. The gold accents are applied under controlled conditions to guarantee tone consistency with the plated grille, allowing sunlight to carry a continuous visual line from the front signature to the coachwork.
Interior: Couture Meets Coachbuilding
Open the rear doors and the cabin announces itself as a sanctuary. The rear seats were developed in collaboration with a fashion atelier, merging high-resolution printed fabrics, intricate line detailing, and subtle gold embroidery. Achieving the desired tactility and color fidelity required the creation of new inks, finishes, and application methods. The result is an ensemble of 45 unique textile panels, each handcrafted and individually fitted to the car it inhabits.
Color and material harmony extends from the textiles to the leather hides, which are selected for uniform grain and dyed to complement both the monochrome exterior and the warm metallic highlights. The carpets have a dense, deep pile to mute footfall, while the headliner draws the eye upward with a soft, celestial glow that accentuates Phantom’s spaciousness.
Bespoke Woodwork and Storytelling in Veneer
The Centenary theme continues across the fascia and door panels with stained Blackwood veneer. Here, Rolls-Royce artisans combine 3D marquetry, ink layering, and gold leafing to create moving scenes of historical Phantom journeys. Among the stories depicted is the 4,500 mile Goodwood-era Phantom traverse across Australia. The roads within these scenes are traced with ultra-thin 24-carat gold leaf, delivering an iridescent thread that catches light as passengers enter and exit the cabin. Each door becomes a gallery piece, inviting inspection and quiet reflection on the adventures the Phantom name has witnessed over a century.
Materials Innovation and Tactile Excellence
The Centenary project pushed the marque to formulate new inks and finishes that could withstand the unique demands of automotive interiors. Ultra-fine pigments deliver high resolution graphics on fabric without sacrificing breathability or softness. The team calibrated adhesion, color fastness, and abrasion resistance to meet Rolls-Royce durability standards, a process that added months to development but ensures the textiles age gracefully.
Metallic elements are equally deliberate. Gold plating thickness, protective lacquers, and the interplay of enamel bases ensure lustre without glare. Switchgear weight, damping, and click feel have been tuned to deliver the quiet authority that owners expect.
Powertrain and Driving Character
Under the sculpted bonnet resides the 6.75 litre twin-turbocharged V12, configured for near-silent thrust rather than outright drama. The engine’s character is defined by abundant low-end torque, minimal vibration, and an almost seamless partnership with the transmission to maintain tranquil progress. The Arctic White engine cover with 24-carat gold trim turns the engine bay into a curated display, reminding onlookers that the Centenary model celebrates both motion and stillness. The drivetrain remains faithful to Phantom’s mission of effortlessness, placing emphasis on refinement, isolation, and predictable responses.
Commissioning and Exclusivity
With only 25 units available globally, each Phantom Centenary Collection car will be commissioned to client specification under the guidance of the marque’s Bespoke Collective. Buyers can tailor embroidery patterns, veneer scenes, and colorways, while the core Centenary elements remain consistent to protect the integrity of the theme. The allocation process will prioritize long standing patrons and collectors who understand the historical significance of the Phantom lineage.
Who Is It For
The Phantom Centenary Collection will appeal to connoisseurs who value provenance, craft integrity, and narrative. It is a statement of continuity as much as a celebration. Owners who commission works of art and haute couture will find the same level of intimacy and rarity here, wrapped in a motor car capable of summoning serene progress in any setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many cars will be made
Production is limited to 25 units worldwide to commemorate the centenary of the Phantom nameplate.
2. What is unique about the grille and the emblem
The grille is crafted from 18-carat gold and finished with 24-carat gold plating. It carries a Phantom Centenary hallmark certified in London, and the base receives an enamel finish for depth and durability.
3. What are the key interior innovations
The rear seats feature high-resolution printed fabrics, custom inks and finishes, subtle gold embroidery, and 45 unique panels fitted by hand. The stained Blackwood veneer incorporates 3D marquetry, ink layering, and 24-carat gold leaf detailing.
4. Which engine powers the Centenary model
A 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 provides refined performance. The engine bay is distinguished by an Arctic White cover with 24-carat trim.
5. How long did development and build take
Rolls-Royce dedicated more than 40,000 hours to the design, testing, and crafting of this Private Collection model.
6. Can clients customize their car further
Yes. Within the Centenary design framework, clients can commission bespoke colorways, embroidery treatments, and veneer storytelling to create a truly personal artifact.
Official Website: https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
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