The Rolls-Royce Phantom, possibly the most iconic Roller ever made, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Unveiled in 1925, the history of this model hasn’t been linear at all.
At one point, Rolls-Royce was producing two separate generations at the same time.
Then again, you don’t get to celebrate a 100th anniversary if you’re boring.
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The Phantom was introduced in 1925 as Rolls-Royce’s flagship model to replace the Silver Ghost.
As we all know, the British marque has always had this passion for ‘spooky’ names.
Interestingly, the Rolls-Royce Phantom was being produced simultaneously in the UK for the European market, and in Massachusetts for the United States.
Clearly, even then, the company was ahead of its time.
In 1929, while the first-gen Phantom was still being made, Rolls-Royce unveiled the second generation and kept both in production for a couple of years.
Things became a bit more ‘normal’ after that, although there were still huge gaps.
For example, Rolls waited 10 years to replace the third generation with the fourth, and then three more to replace the fourth with the fifth.
Things were even worse later: the Phantom VII, the first ‘modern’ one, was launched in 2003, 13 years after its predecessor.
Some first-generation Phantoms are still on the road, but unfortunately, many have either been totaled or crushed.
Some are being converted into EVs, which is what Jason Momoa did.
The Phantom is arguably the most luxurious car ever made.
It’s mostly been sold as a sedan, but coupe and convertible versions were also available, albeit very briefly.
At some point, Rowan Atkinson, AKA Mr Bean, even had a 9.0-liter V16 engine made – but that was clearly a one-off.
The current generation still uses the celebrated ‘six and three-quarter’ V12, but it’s been around for a while now, which means that sooner or later, Rolls will have to replace it.
And this, in turn, means the big question is going to have to be asked: Will the next one be electric?
The post The Rolls-Royce Phantom is celebrating 100 years of luxury appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
