Goodwood, England – Against the evocative backdrop of vintage racing and period charm, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is marking a landmark moment in automotive history: the centenary of its peerless Phantom. At the 2025 Goodwood Revival, the marque pays homage to a full century of engineering excellence and cultural influence with a spectacular showcase of five of the most distinguished and historically significant Phantoms ever crafted.
A Living Legacy of Engineering and Elegance
Since its debut in 1925 as the “New Phantom,” the model has embodied Rolls-Royce’s unwavering pursuit of perfection, redefining the benchmark for luxury motoring through eight generations. Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, captures the spirit of this centenary: “No motor car has played such a pivotal role in shaping automotive and cultural history as the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Over eight generations spanning 100 years… it has represented the very best in engineering, comfort and personal expression for its owners, and won admirers around the world.”
For the Goodwood Revival—a stone’s throw from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood—the centenary celebration feels both fitting and poetic. Visitors strolling the Aerodrome Lawn are greeted by a curated display of five Phantoms, each a chapter in the model’s extraordinary story.
Five Icons, One Unbroken Thread
At the heart of the display stands the Phantom I Brougham De Ville, affectionately known as The Phantom of Love. Commissioned in 1926 by Clarence Warren Gasque as an extravagant tribute to his wife Maude, this car is as much a work of art as an automobile. Its interior is a lavish recreation of 18th-century French grandeur, complete with bespoke Aubusson tapestries, a hand-painted ceiling gilded with cornices, and a drinks cabinet crowned by an ormolu clock and delicate enamelled flowers.
Equally compelling is the Phantom II Continental Touring Park Ward, a rare sporting iteration created with long-distance European touring in mind. This example—chassis 92PY—was built for American industrialist A. Y. Gowen and features details that speak to both elegance and performance, including a sunroof and a distinctive yellow-tinted sun visor.
From 1937 comes the timeless Phantom III, originally delivered to Major Frederick Warren Pearl of Eaton Square, London. After an eventful history that saw it cross the Atlantic and return decades later, it now stands restored to its former glory, a testament to Rolls-Royce’s enduring craftsmanship.
Perhaps the most exclusive of all is the Phantom IV Landaulette, produced in a mere 18 examples between 1950 and 1956 and reserved solely for royalty and heads of state. Distinguished by its straight eight-cylinder engine and extended chassis, the Phantom IV remains an enduring symbol of regal motoring, still employed by the British royal family for state occasions.
Completing the quintet is the elegant Phantom V, a Midnight Blue PV22 model with coachwork by James Young. Ordered in 1963 by Lord Marks for Marks & Spencer, it has been lovingly preserved with just 92,000 documented miles and remains a striking embodiment of mid-century British refinement.
The Phantom in Motion
The celebration is not confined to static beauty. Throughout the Revival weekend, four Phantom course cars will take to the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit, their serene yet commanding presence underscoring why Phantom continues to be regarded as “the best car in the world.” With each lap, they reaffirm the seamless blend of power, precision and poise that has defined the model for a century.
A Century Honoured, a Future Assured
The Goodwood Revival is more than a nostalgic salute; it is a living tribute to a nameplate that has shaped not only the Rolls-Royce marque but the very notion of luxury motoring. From the artful excess of the Phantom I Brougham De Ville to the regal exclusivity of the Phantom IV, these five masterpieces chart a hundred-year journey of innovation and bespoke excellence.
As the centenary celebrations continue through 2025, the Rolls-Royce Phantom stands as it always has: a symbol of engineering brilliance, peerless craftsmanship and a century-long dialogue between tradition and the future of automotive luxury.
