The seven most iconic Rolls-Royce Phantoms
From the Aga Khan's bespoke vehicle to John Lennon's psychedelic saloon, the iconic car has stopped the traffic
The eight-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom has finally made its world debut, 14 years after its predecessor first rolled out.
Rolls launched its new car at a glitzy event event in Mayfair, unveiling it alongside seven other iconic Phantoms from every era of its 92-year history.
Each has its own story, from tailor-made vehicles for royalty to custom designs that still continue to split opinion.
1927 - Fred Astaire’s Phantom I
One of the earliest coachbuilt examples of the first-generation Phantom was commissioned by Hollywood star Fred Astaire. The Hooper design was finished in dark green with black stripes and gold pin striping. It also sports green leather seats, as well as a classic Louis Vuitton trunk behind the cabin.
Inside, a "speaking tube" allowed Astaire to communicate with the driver, says Cnet.
1933 - Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Phantom II Continental
The Phantom II Continental was a special, short-wheelbase edition with stiffer leaf springs for a sportier alternative.
This particular Rolls was owned by racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell. Designed by Barker coachbuilders, it features a selection of bespoke modifications, such as a radio, spotlight and a sports exhaust to mimic the sound of Campbell's land-speed record-breaking car the Blue Bird.
1936 - Field Marshal Montgomery’s Phantom III
Field Marshal Montgomery needed a vehicle during World War II that could reliably and comfortably transport leading figures such as Winston Churchill and George VI between meetings.
His opted for a Rolls-Royce Phantom III Butler, a limited-edition saloon designed by HJ Mulliner of Chiswick featuring a sloping windscreen and a swept tail. The design served a purpose, too, as it was 15 per cent more aerodynamically efficient than the regular third-generation saloon.
1952 - The Aga Khan's Phantom IV
Known for blending his jetset lifestyle as a racehorse owner while leading the Nizari Ismaili Muslim community, the The Aga Khan was one of just 18 heads of state to commission a Rolls-Royce in Phantom IV - making it an incredibly rare vehicle.
His personal fourth-generation saloon was designed by coachbuilder Hooper and featured unique additions such as adjustable mirrors and a full picnic set. These were, along with the doors and a concealed silver brush, engraved with the Aga Khan III's crest.
1965 - John Lennon’s Phantom V
It's possibly one of the most iconic Rolls-Royces of all time, particularly as its psychedelic paintwork is a real opinion divider.
John Lennon took delivery of his Phantom V in 1965. It was originally black, but he asked coachbuilder JP Fallon to radically change the paintwork and debuted the car days before the release of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - the saloon's psychedelic paint job (pictured above) reflecting the colourful album cover.
In true rockstar fashion, Lennon equipped his fifth-generation Phantom with a refrigerator and swapped the rear seats for a bed. He also fitted in a floating record player and a bespoke sound system.
1977 - The Queen's Phantom VI
The Queen was given a Phantom VI as a gift for her Silver Jubilee, with Rolls-Royce custom-making it for better comfort and tougher security.
The model was a State Limousine, which came with a higher roofline and stronger windows to allow onlookers a better glimpse at the Queen and her passengers. More recently, it was used to take Kate Middleton to her wedding.
2003 - Phantom VII Goodwood
Rolls-Royce underwent a complete overhaul in the late 1990s after German automaker BMW acquired the license to use the company's name. In 2003, it opened its major manufacturing plant at Goodwood and started production on the seventh-generation Phantom.
The first one to roll off the production line, the Phantom Goodwood, underwent a 4,500-mile reliability test in Australia and only the Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament mechanism failed during a dust storm.
This version spawned the smaller Ghost and the Wraith coupe, as well as drop-top variants on all models.
