How has the Rolls-Royce Phantom changed over 7 generations?

Rolls-Royce has just rolled out the final model of the 7th generation Phantom. This marks the end of the British automaker's highly successful ultra-luxury sedan.

Over the past seven generations, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has undergone a spectacular transformation, providing the foundation for unique, personalized versions for discerning luxury car enthusiasts.

Rolls-Royce Phantom I: 1925 – 1931

Rolls-Royce Phantom I: 1925 – 1931

The production line for the Phantom was established in 1925. This ultra-luxury, large-sized car replaced the Silver Ghost but still used the chassis of its predecessor (produced in both the UK and the US). The biggest change in the Rolls-Royce Phantom was the 7.7L six-cylinder engine under the hood.

Like most cars at the time, Rolls-Royce sold the car's internal components to customers, allowing them to customize the exterior to their liking. Therefore, for a long time, the Phantom came in many different forms, even though its power remained unchanged.

One of the most famous Rolls-Royce Phantom I models is the "round-door" version at the Peterson Automotive Museum. According to the museum, the car was customized in 1934 to give it the soft, fashionable feel of the 1930s.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II: 1930 – 1935

Rolls-Royce Phantom II: 1930 – 1935

The second generation of the Phantom received significantly more attention to design from Rolls-Royce, while the 7.7L 6-cylinder engine remained unchanged, and the chassis was completely redesigned.

The Phantom II comes in two versions: the standard version and the Continental version with a shorter wheelbase (3,700mm compared to 3,800mm of the standard version). The number of cars produced for the two versions are 1,402 and 278, respectively.

This also marked the first time the Phantom was featured in film. When actress Marlene Dietrich (the first German to achieve success in Hollywood) visited America in 1930, renowned director Josef von Sternberg gifted her a blue Rolls-Royce Phantom II. The car later appeared in the film Morocco. The Phantom II also played a significant role in blockbusters such as The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Rolls-Royce Phantom III: 1936 – 1939

Rolls-Royce Phantom III: 1936 – 1939

For the first time in history, Rolls-Royce doubled the number of cylinders, replacing the 6-cylinder engine with a V12. Until the introduction of the Phantom VII in 2003, this was the only generation of Phantom to use 12 cylinders. This was also the last Phantom produced before World War II.

History also remembers the third-generation Phantom as it witnessed another tragic milestone. This was the last model under the ownership of Henry Royce – co-founder of Rolls-Royce. He passed away on April 22, 1933 (at the age of 70) – the very year the third generation Phantom was developed.

During its four years of existence, a total of 727 Phantom III aircraft were produced. The most special one was the last. The chassis was completed quite a while ago, not until 1941. However, the bodywork took even longer to assemble, until 1947.

Rolls-Royce Phantom IV: 1950 – 1956

Rolls-Royce Phantom IV: 1950 – 1956

It wasn't until five years after World War II that Rolls-Royce was able to produce a new car. The fourth-generation Phantom marked a new beginning for the British manufacturer. Its rarity reached its peak with only 18 units ever produced. This is why the Phantom IV commands such an exorbitant price today. According to the insurance company Hagerty, a Phantom IV is worth approximately $1.2 million.

Of the 18 cars produced, 17 were sold to the aristocracy and government agencies. To this day, 16 are housed in museums and private car collections.

Rolls-Royce Phantom V: 1959 – 1968

Rolls-Royce Phantom V: 1959 – 1968

The Rolls-Royce Phantom V is a large, four-door saloon produced and assembled at Bentley's factory after the company acquired the brand.

The fifth generation Phantom has gone down in history with some of the most famous owners in the history of Rolls-Royce. Two of them are Queen Elizabeth II and her mother. The Hong Kong government also used a Phantom V for parades. Other famous owners include: the King of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the King of Norway Olav V, the President of the Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, and the famous member of the Beatles, John Lennon, among others.

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI: 1969 – 1991

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI: 1969 – 1991

To date, this is the longest-running generation of the Phantom (22 years). However, production numbers have only reached 374 units (fewer than the previous generation's 516 units over 10 years).

Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family continued to choose the Phantom VI as their mode of transportation before the Bentley State Limousine was introduced in 2002. Other owners of the Phantom VI include the Australian government and the King of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Rolls-Royce Phantom VII: 2003 – 2016

Rolls-Royce Phantom VII: 2003 – 2016

The final generation of the Phantom began production in 2003. It was the first Rolls-Royce designed and produced under the management of the BMW Group. It was also the second Phantom to use a V12 engine. The Phantom VII is remembered for many interesting features such as the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy emblem on the hood, sun/rain shields on the doors, etc.

The final model in the seventh generation draws heavily on inspiration from the 1930s to commemorate approximately 90 years of the Phantom's presence on the market. The exterior features a bluish-purple paint finish with two coachlines running along the body. The car uses special tires and has a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy logo. Ship motifs are engraved in several locations around the body. Clocks are located in the front and rear cabins.

According to Zing