How the Rolls-Royce Phantom has changed over 7 generations

Rolls-Royce has just released the last model of the 7th generation Phantom. This is the end of the line for the British car company's most successful super luxury sedan.

Over the past 7 generations, Rolls-Royce Phantom has undergone spectacular transformations to create unique personalized versions for car connoisseurs.

Rolls-Royce Phantom I: 1925 – 1931

Rolls-Royce Phantom I: 1925 – 1931

The Phantom production line was established in 1925. This super-luxury large 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 is the 7.7L 6-cylinder engine under the hood.

Like most cars at that time, Rolls-Royce sold the car's "inner" to customers so they could change the car's body to their liking. Therefore, for a long time, the Phantom had different shapes even though its power was not different.

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 modified in 1934 to bring back the soft fashion of the 1930s.

Rolls-Royce Phantom II: 1930 – 1935

Rolls-Royce Phantom II: 1930 – 1935

The second generation of Phantom is given more attention by Rolls-Royce in terms of design while the 7.7L 6-cylinder engine is kept intact and the chassis is completely replaced.

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

This was also the first time the Phantom was used in cinema. When actress Marlene Dietrich (the first German to succeed in Hollywood) came to America in 1930, the famous director Josef von Sternberg gave her a gift of a blue Rolls-Royce Phantom II. The car later appeared in the film Morocco. The Phantom II also played an important role in the blockbusters 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 to replace 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 version of Phantom produced before World War II.

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

During its four-year lifespan, a total of 727 Phantom IIIs were produced. The most special one was the last. The chassis was completed quite a while ago, in 1941. However, the body took even longer to assemble, in 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 could produce a new car. The Phantom IV was a new beginning for the British manufacturer. Its rarity reached its peak with only 18 cars produced. That’s why the Phantom IV is so expensive today. According to Hagerty Insurance, a Phantom IV costs around $1.2 million.

Of the 18 produced, 17 were sold to aristocrats and government agencies. To this day, 16 are 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, 4-door saloon produced and assembled at Bentley's factory after the company acquired the remaining brand.

The fifth generation of 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 Phantom V as a parade car. Other famous owners include: King of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, King of Norway Olav V, President of the Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, or famous member of the Beatle group John Lennon, ...

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI: 1969 – 1991

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI: 1969 – 1991

Up to now, this is the longest-lived generation of Phantom (22 years). However, the production number is only 374 units (516 units less than the previous generation in 10 years).

Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family continued to choose the Phantom VI as their means of transport before the Bentley State Limousine was introduced in 2002. In addition, Phantom VI owners also included the Australian government, or the Iranian king Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Rolls-Royce Phantom VII: 2003 – 2016

Rolls-Royce Phantom VII: 2003 – 2016

The final generation of Phantom entered production in 2003. This was the first Rolls-Royce model designed and produced under the management of BMW Group. It was also the second Phantom model to use a V12 engine. Phantom VII is remembered for many interesting features such as the Spirit of Ecstasy symbol that can "retract" under the hood, rain/sunshades placed on the car doors, etc.

The last one in the 7th generation is heavily inspired by the 1930s to mark the 90 years of Phantom on the market. The exterior is painted in purple blue, with 2 coachlines along the body. The car uses special tires and has a solid silver Spirit of Ecstacy logo. Some positions around the body are engraved with the ship symbol. The time clock is placed in the front and rear cabins of the car.

According to Zing