In a display of grandeur, craftsmanship, and pure automotive elegance, Rolls-Royce marked 100 years of the Phantom with a special showcase at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2025. Among the stars of the show was the one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Phantom ‘Golden Era’, a bespoke masterpiece inspired by the iconic James Bond film Goldfinger and infused with golden design cues, reflecting a century of timeless luxury.
Held at Lake Como, Italy, the Villa d’Este gathering is known as one of the world’s most exclusive classic and luxury car events. But this year, it belonged to one name—Phantom—the car that defined ultimate luxury for the elite since 1925.
🏁 A Century of Phantom: The Legacy Lives On
The Rolls-Royce Phantom first debuted in 1925, quickly becoming the vehicle of choice for royals, heads of state, movie stars, and business tycoons. From the Maharajas of India to Hollywood’s elite, the Phantom has represented the pinnacle of handcrafted automotive engineering for a hundred years.
Now, in 2025, Rolls-Royce celebrates this 100-year milestone with the creation of the Phantom Series II ‘Golden Era’ edition—a tribute to its iconic past and visionary future.
✨ The Golden Era Phantom: A Bond-Worthy Statement
The Phantom ‘Golden Era’ is no ordinary luxury car. It’s a bespoke creation commissioned by a highly loyal collector through the brand’s exclusive Rolls-Royce Bespoke division, based at the marque’s Goodwood facility in England.
Key Inspirations:
- The James Bond movie “Goldfinger” (1964), known for its use of cutting-edge gadgets and luxury.
- A golden celebration of Phantom’s 100-year journey.
- The ethos of “Bespoke is Rolls-Royce,” reflecting ultra-personalized design.
This car took more than two years to create, a testament to the attention to detail and the artisan work involved.
🌟 Design Elements That Define the Phantom ‘Golden Era’
Every aspect of the Golden Era Phantom screams exclusivity. Let’s break it down:
🖤 Exterior: Subtle Brilliance with Gold Accents
- Finished in a deep gloss black with a subtle golden shimmer under sunlight.
- The Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament is plated in real gold.
- Delicate pinstripes and trim outlines are hand-painted using pure 23.75-karat gold.
- Rolls-Royce’s signature Pantheon grille also features gold-tinted bars for a truly regal look.
🪑 Interior: A Work of Art
- The cabin features handcrafted embroidery and golden stitching on premium leather seats.
- Dashboard inlays include miniature hand-drawn sketches of the Phantom’s evolution over the decades—done entirely by the Rolls-Royce design team.
- Real gold leafing is embedded into wood veneers, echoing the car’s name.
- The starlight headliner features an animated shooting star that moves across the sky in gold tones.
Each element of the cabin is symbolic, blending tradition with imagination.
🔍 Unmatched Bespoke Craftsmanship
The Rolls-Royce Bespoke team calls this edition one of its most ambitious artistic achievements ever.
Highlights:
- More than 500 hours spent just on the dashboard artwork.
- Gold-infused lacquer on the trim and control dials.
- Doors feature engraved quotes from key moments in Phantom’s history.
- Even the car key fob has been redesigned to include gold detailing and custom initials.
It’s not just a car; it’s an artwork on wheels, meant to be admired for generations.
⚙️ Power and Engineering: Quiet Might
While the focus is heavily on luxury and design, make no mistake—the Phantom Golden Era is just as powerful.
Powertrain Specs:
- Engine: 6.75-litre V12 Twin-Turbocharged
- Horsepower: 563 bhp
- 0–100 km/h: ~5.4 seconds
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic with satellite-aided gearbox
- Ride Quality: The famous “Magic Carpet Ride” suspension system
This Phantom isn’t meant to race—it glides. The power is delivered with effortless grace, ensuring that every journey feels like a royal procession.
🏆 A Star at Villa d’Este 2025
At Villa d’Este 2025, the Phantom Golden Era stole the show among dozens of vintage Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bugattis, and Aston Martins. Automotive critics, collectors, and enthusiasts gathered around the Phantom, praising its:
- Artistic detail
- Historical significance
- Innovative use of gold in automotive design
This edition wasn’t just on display—it was a celebration centerpiece, emphasizing the importance of Phantom in shaping the luxury car market.
📷 Public and Collector Reactions
The global collector community had one message: “It’s not just a car. It’s a legacy.”
- Many called it “the most beautiful modern Phantom ever built.”
- Social media buzzed with admiration for its rare craftsmanship.
- Rumors suggest that the owner of this model has refused multiple multi-million-dollar offers to buy it.
Even among multi-million-dollar classics, the Phantom Golden Era stood in a class of its own.
📚 Rolls-Royce’s Future Vision: Timeless Innovation
As Rolls-Royce moves toward an all-electric future with the Spectre, it continues to honor its legacy with models like the Phantom Golden Era.
This is not just about creating luxury vehicles; it’s about crafting automotive heirlooms—each with a story, emotion, and legacy attached to it.
The Phantom’s 100-year journey stands as proof that luxury, when done right, never goes out of style.
✅ Conclusion
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Golden Era, showcased at Villa d’Este 2025, was not just a car—it was a tribute, a celebration, and a time capsule of automotive greatness. With golden touches inspired by both cinematic legend and century-old legacy, it reminded the world why Rolls-Royce remains the gold standard in luxury motoring.
As Phantom completes its glorious 100-year milestone, this bespoke masterpiece ensures that the future will shine just as brightly as the past. For those lucky enough to witness it in person, the moment was pure magic—just as Rolls-Royce intended.
