For a century, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has stood at the top of automotive luxury. Now, to mark its 100-year milestone, the marque introduces the Phantom Centenary Private Collection. Limited to only 25 motor cars, it is the most intricate and technically ambitious Phantom project ever attempted. More importantly, it is a reminder that the Phantom still defines what true prestige looks and feels like.
A Century Told in Gold and Craft
Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke Collective spent years studying the Phantom’s history. They traced its influential owners, legendary engineers, and the journeys that shaped its reputation. As a result, they produced 77 hand-sketched motifs, each capturing a defining moment in Phantom’s story. These motifs appear throughout the motor car as woodwork, embroidery, marquetry, metal sculpture, and layered textiles.
Consequently, every surface carries meaning. Every detail reveals a chapter of Phantom’s life.
Outside, the tribute begins with a solid-gold Spirit of Ecstasy, inspired by the figurine first fitted to the 1925 Phantom. She stands over a two-tone Super Champagne Crystal finish, made with crushed champagne-tinted glass for a deep, shimmering glow. Meanwhile, the Phantom’s disc wheels feature 25 engraved lines each—100 in total—to honour the centenary year.
Inside the Phantom Legend
Once inside, the storytelling continues. The cabin blends leather in the front with rich textiles in the rear, recalling early chauffeur-driven Phantoms. This contrast creates a sense of authority up front and serene comfort in the back—an idea central to Phantom’s identity.
Rear Seats: A Modern Tapestry
The rear seats form the most complex textile work Rolls-Royce has ever created. Developed with a couture atelier, the design unfolds in three layers:
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high-resolution printed scenes from Phantom’s history
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fine-line illustrations of significant models
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more than 160,000 stitches of floating, sketch-like embroidery
Together, they cover 45 individually fitted panels, shaped with Savile Row-level precision. The result resembles a handwoven tapestry, yet moves with modern ease and softness.
Front Seats: A Designer’s Sketchbook
The front seats carry laser-etched drawings created by a Rolls-Royce designer. These light, pencil-like motifs reference Phantom’s hidden stories—such as the rabbit from “Roger Rabbit,” the code name for Phantom’s 2003 revival, and the seagull from the 1923 prototype. These touches add subtle personality while honouring the marque’s roots.
The Anthology Gallery: A Sculpture in Motion
At the centre of the dashboard sits the Anthology Gallery, a sculptural composition of 50 vertically brushed aluminium fins. They stand like the pages of a book. When illuminated, the brushed edges shimmer and reveal quotes from a century of press acclaim. As viewers move, the reflections shift, creating a gentle, kinetic effect that brings the story to life.
Woodwork Pushed to New Heights
Rolls-Royce introduces three new techniques in the Phantom Centenary: 3D marquetry, 3D ink layering, and 24-carat gold leafing. These appear across the door panels, each one depicting a key Phantom journey.
The scenes include:
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the coastline of Le Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, where Henry Royce spent his winters
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West Wittering, his summer home
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the 4,500-mile Australian crossing of the first Goodwood-era Phantom
Each road glows with hand-laid gold leaf just 0.1 micrometres thick. Even the locations of Royce’s historic homes are marked with tiny gold dots. Many etched details measure only 0.13 mm, yet they remain crisp and expressive.
A Starlight Headliner Rich with Symbolism
The Starlight Headliner contains 440,000 stitches, forming a soft, animated constellation. It includes the mulberry tree from Royce’s garden, the square-crowned trees of Goodwood, the honeybees from the Rolls-Royce Apiary, and motifs from great Phantoms of the past. Hidden references—like the vault door from “The Bank,” the secret design studio of the 1990s—reward careful eyes.
A Golden Finale
The 6.75-litre V12 engine receives its own tribute. Its cover is finished in Arctic White and detailed with 24-carat gold, honouring the effortless power that defines the Phantom experience.
A Once-in-a-Generation Rolls-Royce
Ultimately, the Phantom Centenary Private Collection is a celebration not only of the past, but of the promise ahead. It blends old-world craftsmanship with new artistic techniques, creating a rolling masterpiece that acknowledges every era of Phantom’s life.
Only 25 examples will be built. For collectors, this is not just a motor car. It is a century of Rolls-Royce distilled into one unforgettable creation—crafted with reverence, executed with devotion, and destined to be prized for generations.
This story originally appeared on Upscalelivingmag
