The Phantom: Rolls-Royce’s Greatest Car

Every manufacturer has its greatest car. Sometimes this is a one-off that completely revolutionised the Brand, the McLaren F1, the Ferrari F40, the Lamborghini Miura. But often it’s a car that has stood the test of time, outlasted its competition, and also revolutionised the brand. The Porsche, the BMW M5, Bentley Continental GT, and of course, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rolls’ ultimate flagship for the last 100 years.

The first was launched in 1925 as Rolls-Royce’s new flagship as well as the replacement for the Silver Ghost, featuring a 7.7L straight six, to be exact. 3,509 were built between 1925 and 1931. Following this came 3,362 Phantom II, produced between 1929 and 1935. And after this came the Phantom III, built between 1936 and 1939, with 727 built. This was not only the last pre-war Rolls-Royce but the first to feature a V12, 7.3L to be exact.

Following the war between 1950 and 1956 came 18 Phantom IVs, which came with a straight-8 (either 5.7l or 6.5l) and an automatic gearbox, the first Roller to do so. Between 1959 and 1956 came 518 Phantom V’s with a 6.2L V8. Finally, the Phantom IV was produced between 1968 and 1990 with a total of 374 cars built. The first half featured a 6.2l V8 whilst the second batch saw the size increased to 6.75l.

When BMW purchased Rolls-Royce in 2003, they opted to resurrect the Phantom name with arguably the greatest iteration of them all, the VII. It was available in several variants including a Long-Wheelbase, a fixed-head 2-door and drop-head cabriolet. It also featured a 6.75l twin-turbo V12 that generated 454 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. The whole range was facelifted in 2012.

The current Phantom VIII was shown in 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show. Like before, it featured a 6.75L twin-turbo V12, but with new variable intakes and turbos generated 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It was also the first Rolls-Royce that featured rear wheel steering and came in two forms, standard and an extended wheelbase that was 200mm longer and costed $90,000 more than the $500,000 standard model.

ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM GOLDFINGER AT FURKA PASS

The Legacy of the Spirit of Ecstasy in the Phantom Scintilla

So to celebrate 100 years of being the Pinnacle of Luxury cars, Rolls-Royce launched the Phantom Scintilla Editions. 10 examples of the Phantom VIII Extended Wheelbase who’s design is heavily inspired by the Spirt of Ecstasy, Rolls-Royce's iconic flying lady badge. But the history behind both this badge and name are perhaps the most inspiring story of the Phantom Scintilla.

Claude Johnson, then Managing Director, drew inspiration in 1910 from the Greek masterpiece The Winged Victory of Samothrace. The name “Scintilla” means “spark” in Latin, and reclaims that origin story subtly nodding to such Greek architecture. Sculptor Charles Sykes eventually looked to Eleanor Thornton to model the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy look.

The Phantom Scintilla is finished in a two-tone combination of Andalusian White and Thracian Blue; it draws directly from the seas surrounding Samothrace. There’s metal flake in the paint, which Rolls says mirrors the shimmer of sunlight on water. This contrasts beautifully against hand-painted Spirit Blue coach lines, creating a very purposeful elegance to this car.

Inside Rolls used 869,000 stitches to create a flowing embroidery on the leather, which they describe as a “painting with thread” effect, required two years of collaboration between designers and artisans. The door alone required 633,000 stitches, which reflects differently in both day and night. Daylight reveals a subtle sheen in the fabrics, while at night, the embroidery glows softly.

The picnic tables took 190 hours to complete, as they are finished with sanded graphics and layered lacquer. Of course, it wouldn’t be a bespoke Roller without the iconic Starlight Headliner. Named “Fleeting Moment,” its 1,500 fibre-optic stars illuminate in sequence to mimic the Spirit of Ecstasy’s flowing gown. Over 4,400 perforations reveal silver fabric beneath, creating an ethereal shimmer along the roof.

Undoubtedly, the jewel in the crown is the “Celestial Pulse” Gallery. This spans the dashboard and features seven aluminium ribbons finished in the same ceramic texture as the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. With mirror edges reflecting light in such a way as to recall the flowing robes of the iconic mascot. CEO Chris Brownridge described the Scintilla as “rare, complex, and exquisitely crafted super-luxury that will be cherished long into the future.”

Claude Johnson once described Rolls-Royce as “Speed with silence, the absence of vibration, the mysterious harnessing of great energy, and a beautiful living organism of superb grace.” This has forever been the core value of the brand for the longest of times and was a core reason why the Phantom was Rolls-Royce’s greatest car. And the Scintilla very much is the perfect celebration of this iconic car’s centenary.

Source: Rolls-Royce