Rolls-Royce: 100 years Phantom with history – myth

A hundred years ago, Rolls-Royce launched the first car to become the most iconic in its history. Through 8 generations, Phantom remains the leading model of Rolls-Royce, evolves but remains faithful to the basic values of excellence and elegance. CORVERSE In 2025, then, Rolls-Royce celebrates 100 years of the first Phantom, but let’s turn back time. And of course, I will not fail to mention the well-known joke that someone at the light, with a simple car, is stopped by a Rolls- Royce opens the window and asks the driver if it’s good, because he hasn’t seen much going around! However, only in 2024 the British brand member of the BMW group sold 5,712 units, of which 1,890 electric ones. CORVERSE A new beginning Rolls-Royce first won the “best car in the world” award with the 40/50 Silver Ghost horsepower, released in 1906. The key to brand fame, was Henry Royce’s beginning for continuous improvement in engineering. By 1921, Royce realized that Silver Ghost’s design was reaching the point where further developments would not be possible and thus began working to replace it. The name game Without any documented evidence, it appears that the name Phantom was invented by always inventive commercial director of Rolls-Royce, Claude Johnson. He was the one who recognized that the name of the company’s models could function as a sales lever and was the one inspired by the “ Silver Ghost, ” instead of the otherwise pedestrian title “40/50 H.P. ” . In 1907 he baptized him “Green Phantom ” and then“ Silver Phantom. ” The basis for grandeur At the time, Rolls-Royce supplied framework to independent body builders, who custom-made bodywork in accordance with the owner’s specifications. Rolls-Royce offered the new Phantom with a long wheelbase, suitable for corporate saloon cars and limousines, and with smaller wheelbase ideal for private cars, closed, open or even more “sport” version. Some customers secretly asked for offices or rotating positions in their limousines with long wheelbase, while the drivers became known to have asked for safes, places to store golf clubs or even hidden space to carry diamonds! PHANTOM II Evolution Over the next four years, Henry Royce continued to improve his design until, in 1929, the Times published a new advertisement announcing the arrival of Phantom II, including all engineering improvements and upgraded components justifying its designation as a completely new model. However, Royce himself considered that even with the short wheelbase Phantom II was irritatingly large for its personal use. Therefore, he instructed his design team to develop a more compact, sporty Phantom II version which he could enjoy driving across France, until his winter home in Le Canadel on the Blue Coast. The designers conscientiously built a closed car, the 26EX – “EX” meaning “Experimental” – in a custom short Phantom II frame. The records show that Rolls’ sales department… Royce didn’t even care about the idea. Indeed, if it were not intended as Royce’s personal transfer, it could not have been built at all. Montgomery Rolls-Royce PHANTOM II Increase power Until Royce’s death, in 1933, the company already knew very well that luxury car customers were looking for models that offer more power without sacrificing comfort or supremacy. American competitors, such as Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard, responded with engines in a row of 8 cylinders, V12 and even V16 cylinders, who quickly overshadowed the six-cylinder units of great horsepower, in turn, that had served Rolls-Royce so well for so long. Given this commercial pressure and the proven experience of the company in the design and manufacture of aircraft engines, it was inevitable that the next Phantom had a V12 engine. The arrival of Phantom III in 1936 was also announced to the Times. The new V12 engine was more compact than the old 6 cylinder in turn, allowing a shorter hood and larger passenger space, while the power went to 165 horsepower, from 120 of Phantom II, and climbed to 180 horsepower in later cars. The new frame of Phantom III allowed wider, more comfortable rear seats, and greater comfort ahead with changes in gear lever and brake lever positions. Phantom III was suitable for all train types, and for use by owner-driver and chauffeur. And while she was never able to defeat her American opponents at the price, it was such the reputation of Rolls-Royce that remained the only option for those who wanted something different. A world that changed The name Phantom, for about 14 years until the war broke out in 1939, was a reference point. Rolls-Royce stopped all car production and when peace returned in 1945, the company was found in a completely different world, for which it had been prepared. And she had correctly predicted that under post-war austerity, she would have to make her cars less complicated, easier to maintain, less costly to produce and capable of using common spare parts, without restricting quality. His solution was Silver Wraith, which debuted in 1946 with a new 6-cylinder engine that was one step behind the Phantom III V12 engine. At that time, it seemed that there was no place in the modern world for Phantom. ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM IV Royal intervention The history of Phantom might well have ended there, but two random incidents occurred. Continuing the development process, engineers produced four experimental EX cars with engine in order 8. One of them, equipped with a body of limousine Park Ward & Co., was officially named Silver Phantom (and unofficially known as Big Bertha). A smaller, lighter saloon version followed, known as Scalded Cat. At the same time, the Palace was trying to replace the old Daimlers fleet – the brand that dominated since the car was discovered – but was unhappy with the range offered at the time. Thus, in 1950, Rolls-Royce was asked to supply an official limousine for the duties of the Royal Family. The company long wanted to usurp Daimler and happily constructed a “unique” limousine codenamed Maharajah and still remains in service at the Palace under that name to date. However, the company decided it would be suitable for such prestigious cars to resurrect the name Phantom. Over the next seven years, the brand produced just 18 Phantom IV copies , including a second car for the Palace, named Jubilee, delivered in 1954. 1966 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V In 1959 Phantom V was released and after 13 years and 832 editions, Phantom V with several technical upgrades became Phantom VI . Most of 374 cars were limousines, while the last Phantom VI, a landaulette, was delivered to the Sultan of Brunei in 1993. Phantom VI ceased to be produced until it revived in Goodwood in 2017 with “Sweptail”. PHANTOM VII The return When the brand was re-released in the new Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, a Phantom-type model emerged the obvious option to restore the name as a model. The design idea included a long wheelbase, minimal body protrusion ahead, and a long hood. The designers’ mission was to express the atmosphere of past Phantom and traditional high-quality materials – leather, wood – in a completely modern way. One minute after midnight, on 1 January 2003 , the first Phantom VII was delivered to its new owner. Unlike any Phantom that had preceded, it was built entirely by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, with a space frame body. During his 13-year-old life, Phantom VII established Rolls-Royce as the world’s foremost super-luxury car manufacturer and was confirmed that Phantom never “finished” ever. In 2017 , Rolls-Royce presented Phantom VIII , with a space frame entirely of aluminum used in both Phantom VII and redesigned, having a glass surface extending across the width of the facade, behind which the client can display a work of art or design he has thought of. And so each Phantom is unique, as are the first Phantom handmade models that were exclusively in the measures of their customers.