“The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the perfect setting for Rolls-Royce, as both this gathering and our marque celebrate the motor car as an object of art, craftsmanship and cultural expression. In this exceptional location, we are proud to make the public debut of Phantom Goldfinger, a remarkable expression of our Bespoke capabilities and a powerful tribute to a film cherished by the client. To have the original 1937 model, which featured in the film and inspired this motor car, displayed at the event makes this moment even more special. Presenting these exquisite Phantoms and original artworks created by our designers in tribute to the nameplate in its centenary year is a fitting celebration of our pinnacle motor car.”

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the 100^th anniversary of Phantom, the marque’s most famous nameplate, at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Italy, on 24 May 2025.

Rolls-Royce chose this exclusive gathering for the worldwide public debut of Phantom Goldfinger, presented on the Grand Hotel’s renowned Mosaic Lawn on the shore of Lake Como. The striking one-of-one Phantom Extended pays homage to the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger – one of twelve Rolls-Royce appearances in the 007 film franchise.

Revealed in 2024, the film’s 60^th anniversary year, the motor car takes inspiration from the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville owned by the title’s eponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger, which was also shown at the event. The story of this motor car and the film is masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger, which includes 18- and 24-carat gold detailing, cinematic references, and intricate storytelling elements inspired by the film’s characters, locations and themes.

Further celebrating the centenary of Phantom, an exhibition of eight original artworks charted the evolution of Phantom’s design, and the world it has both inhabited and shaped over the past 100 years. Designers at Goodwood created the series, each capturing a different Phantom generation in the artistic style of its era. The settings of each piece also reflect the influence Phantom has exerted over its ten decades, and the many roles it has played and guises it has assumed.

Guests and media from around the world also witnessed the gathering’s opening parade, which included an immaculately presented example of Phantom V. This celebrated generation of the marque’s flagship motor car has been owned and loved by some of the most significant cultural and political figures in modern history, a reminder of Phantom’s role as a symbol of power, influence, and leadership.

Amid a year of heightened cultural and luxury activity across Italy, the debut of Phantom Goldfinger and the celebration of Phantom’s centenary at the event became a defining expression of Bespoke artistry and enduring cultural significance. This moment reflects not only Phantom’s remarkable legacy but also its ongoing power to inspire, captivate and lead as it enters a new century.

“As the British Season begins, we’re delighted to unveil a truly distinctive expression of Spectre in the heart of Chelsea. Finished in Velvet Orchid with a Peony Pink Coachline, this commission reflects the quiet confidence and refined beauty that resonate with our clients and define our marque.

“Much like the rare flower that inspired it, this Spectre is the result of time, care and craftsmanship – a celebration of patience, precision, and individuality. It’s a perfect demonstration of the extraordinary possibilities offered by Rolls-Royce Bespoke.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

In the heart of Chelsea this week, Rolls-Royce presents an exquisite Bespoke Spectre. Finished in the striking exterior colour ‘Velvet Orchid’ and complemented by a delicate hand-painted Peony Pink Coachline, this commission reflects the brand’s enduring connection with nature.

The colourway is inspired by one of nature’s most captivating flowers, the Velvet Orchid – admired for its rich colour, velvety texture, and exotic, luxurious appearance.

Floral motifs have long inspired Rolls-Royce Bespoke creations. Nature – and flowers in particular – provide a rich language of symbolism, sentiment and beauty. This Spectre follows some recent exceptional commissions inspired by the natural world, including the celebrated Phantom Cherry Blossom and Daisy Cullinan. These creations are not simply motor cars, but deeply personal artworks – each a reflection of the commissioning client’s values, identity and lifestyle.

“We were delighted to present a cheque for the funds raised in 2024 on behalf of Aldingbourne Trust, which is based very close to the Home of Rolls-Royce and does amazing work supporting people with learning disabilities and autism through social enterprise and training. We were extremely touched by their ‘thank-you’ gift to us of a model motor car, made in reclaimed wood by some of the Trust’s clients. Our House Charity initiative has been running since the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood opened in 2003, raising vital funds for a host of local charities and community organisations. We’re already hard at work raising money for this year’s House Charity, Dementia Support at Sage House, and are proud to uphold the long Rolls-Royce tradition of making a positive impact locally.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presented a cheque for over £23,000 to Aldingbourne Trust, its House Charity for 2024. The funds were raised by staff at the Home of Rolls-Royce, through numerous individual endeavours and team events.

During a visit from the Rolls-Royce Team, clients from the Trust, which supports 1,500 people with learning disabilities and autism, enjoyed rides in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Among the Aldingbourne Trust’s wide range of social enterprises, training opportunities and other activities, clients learn woodworking skills using reclaimed materials, some donated by Rolls-Royce. As a thank-you gift for the company’s support, they designed and made a beautiful model motor car, which will be proudly displayed at the marque’s Global Headquarters at Goodwood.

The money raised by Rolls-Royce staff will help fund the charity’s life-changing work, supporting adults with autism, Down Syndrome and other learning disabilities to lead enriched, fulfilling lives through education, training and specialist care. The charity focuses on building strong partnerships with local businesses and employers to create real opportunities for clients to contribute to their communities.

Abigail Rowe, Head of Fundraising at Aldingbourne Trust, said: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the Rolls-Royce team, and we’re incredibly grateful for all their hard work and enthusiasm. This wonderful donation will make a real difference to so many lives. Together, we’ve shown how meaningful support can create lasting, positive change, and we’re truly inspired by Rolls-Royce’s commitment to our cause. On behalf of all those who will benefit from this generous support, a truly heartfelt thank you.”

The Rolls-Royce House Charity for 2025 is Dementia Support at Sage House, which brings together a range of vital services for people living with dementia under one roof at Sage House in Tangmere, West Sussex, just a few minutes from the Home of Rolls-Royce.

Please see below for the current key dates in the calendar for Phantom’s centenary year:

JANUARY

• 14 January: 100 Years of Perfection – commencing Phantom’s centenary year, a history of each of the eight versions of Phantom, and their associated technological advances, across the last century.
• 15 January: Phantom Dragon – a one-of-one Phantom Extended created as a celebration of the Year of the Dragon, offering a contemporary rendition of the ancient Chinese legend of two dragons with a pearl.

APRIL

• 2 April: Phantom Cherry Blossom – one-of-one Phantom Extended commission is inspired by the fleeting beauty of the Sakura blooms and a Japanese client’s formative memories of this stunning natural spectacle.

MAY

• 2 May: Phantom: A Century of Power & Influence – released on the 100th anniversary of Phantom’s first unveiling in 1925, this story takes a deep dive into Phantom’s enduring influence on culture across the world.
• 24 May: Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – Rolls-Royce will display some special Phantoms marking the anniversary occasion.

JUNE

• From rhythm & blues to rock ‘n’ roll: Phantom’s bold century in music – an exploration of Phantom’s unique relationship with famous musicians.
• The Rolls-Royce that inspired a century of art – delving into Phantom’s influence on the world of art and, indeed, the influence of the world of art on Phantom.

JULY

• 10-13 July: Goodwood Festival of Speed.
• The places and moments that shaped Phantom’s first century.

AUGUST

• Phantom & Bespoke – Phantom is the ultimate canvas for expression, as it has been for the last 100 years. This story explores some of Phantom’s most extraordinary commissions.

SEPTEMBER

• 12-14 September: Goodwood Revival.

Further noteworthy announcements will be added to the calendar as the year progresses.

• Rolls-Royce Manchester unveils new luxurious showroom after extensive redesign and redevelopment
• The elegant and luxurious new showroom marks the next step in the story of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the city of Manchester, which has a significant historical connection to the marque
• New visual language resonates with younger demographic of clients
• Contemporary redesign reflects increasing demand for the marque’s pinnacle products

 “After extensive redevelopment, I am delighted to unveil the newly refurbished Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester. The northern metropolis has long been an important place for Rolls-Royce: on 4th May 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in the Midland Hotel, in central Manchester, and it was from this meeting that the marque’s two founding fathers laid the foundations for what would become a brand synonymous with creating ‘the best car in the world’. The new showroom, with its wealth of innovative digital technologies and elegant, luxurious design, marks an important step for the marque and our clients. The space is the perfect embodiment of the marque, an ideal space for our highly experienced team to welcome clients, media, and friends of the brand, and brings our visual identity to life.”
Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“We are thrilled to unveil our new, state-of-the-art showroom in Manchester, an extensive redesign that perfectly reflects the luxury and craftsmanship of Rolls-Royce. As we celebrate 30 years of partnership with the marque, we’re proud to mark this milestone with a facility that matches the unparalleled excellence of the brand. Located in Wilmslow, Cheshire, this new space offers our clients an elevated experience, blending heritage with cutting-edge technology and showcases Rolls-Royce craftmanship. Our long-standing relationship with the team at Rolls-Royce Goodwood has always been strong, and this exciting new chapter further cements our shared commitment to providing the finest service and motor car experience. We’re looking forward to welcoming clients to this exceptional facility, and to continuing our journey with Rolls-Royce as we look to the future.”
Jon Crossley, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester

The city of Manchester is a pivotal part of the Rolls-Royce success story. It was here, in 1904, that Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls first met and forged an agreement that Rolls would sell all the cars Royce could make, under the name ‘Rolls-Royce’.

Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester’s redesigned showroom continues that legacy, offering clients a serene and luxurious environment where they can immerse themselves in the brand and collaborate with a highly experienced team of professionals to create their dream commission.

Located in a prominent position in the leafy suburbs of Manchester, the space showcases the marque’s pinnacle products and provides clients with an unparalleled experience, in line with Rolls-Royce’s continuing evolution as a true global luxury goods brand.

The space offers clients an immersive experience from the moment they step foot into the showroom: the door is modelled on Rolls-Royce’s famous Pantheon grille and provides a discreet, tantalising glimpse of what lies within. The doorway is topped by the marque’s iconic figurine, the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Inside, the new showroom seamlessly blends sophistication, contemporary luxury, and creative expression – while staying true to the marque’s rich heritage. Honouring the shared vision of Henry Royce and Charles Rolls, the space features carefully curated references to the brand’s founding fathers, ensuring their pioneering spirit continues to inspire every commission.

The Cabinet of Curiosities, an eclectic mix of intriguing, timeless and iconic objects, is curated to inspire creativity and spark meaningful conversations as part of the commissioning process. The pièce de résistance, the Atelier, houses some of the marque’s most exquisite examples of craftsmanship, including wood veneers, leathers, embroidery threads in a variety of vivacious hues, as well as lambswool samples. The surface-finish samples are presented in the familiar Rolls-Royce speedform shape, making it easy to imagine the almost endless two-tone colour combinations; the leathers are rolled on wands with handles from Rolls-Royce’s famous umbrellas, while the veneers are shaped like the cross-section of an aerofoil, recalling Charles Rolls’ aviation exploits. This sensory-inspired room helps clients to envisage their dream commission coming to life.

The redesigned Manchester showroom stands as a testament to the dealership’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester has embarked on an extraordinary journey, marked by prestigious accolades and groundbreaking achievements. In 2024, the dealership was honoured with the ‘Global Provenance Dealer of the Year’ award, and in 2023, its highly skilled team collaborated with the marque’s designers to create the ‘Manchester Ghost’ – an exclusive, one-of-one Bespoke commission that beautifully celebrated the city’s rich legacy and heritage.

Rolls-Royce is unapologetically luxurious, instantly recognisable, and synonymous with beauty, elegance, and timeless design. In the newly redesigned Manchester showroom, each motor car is given the stage it deserves, meticulously framed and presented in a way that reflects its unique personality and character, ensuring that the spirit of Rolls-Royce is felt in every detail.

“Cherry blossoms are cherished in Japan as a symbol of the ephemeral nature of life and the beauty of transience. With this magnificent commission, we translate an internationally renowned moment into our pinnacle motor car, Phantom, with exquisite embroidery comprising more than 250,000 stitches. For the first time at Rolls-Royce, we have applied three-dimensional embroidery that gives the falling flower petals a tactile, sculptural quality. Developed using ancient Japanese stitching techniques, this motor car represents a deeply personal memory for the client and demonstrates the power of Bespoke in uniting individual meaning, heritage craftsmanship and modern artistry.”
Martina Starke, General Manager, Bespoke Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

As Sakura season arrives, blanketing various regions around the world in pink petals, Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars is proud to present Phantom Cherry Blossom. This magnificent one-of-one Phantom Extended commission is inspired by the fleeting beauty of the Sakura blooms and a Japanese client’s formative memories of this stunning natural spectacle.

In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms are a powerful symbol of nature’s rhythms, the arrival of spring and the beauty of impermanence. As Sakura blooms are short-lived, lasting only around a week, they serve as a poignant reminder to cherish the present and embrace life. This symbolism is deeply embedded in Japanese art, literature and philosophy.

Cherry blossoms are celebrated in the centuries-old tradition of ‘Hanami’, or ‘flower viewing’. During Hanami, families and friends gather beneath the delicate pink blooms of cherry trees for picnics and celebrations, relishing the transient beauty of the season.

A client in Japan wished to capture their cherished Hanami memories, spanning both childhood and parenthood. They wished to create their highly Bespoke Phantom as a legacy and experience to be passed down through the generations in their family, evoking the same spirit as Hanami itself.

PHANTOM CHERRY BLOSSOM: A BESPOKE VISION BROUGHT TO LIFE
The design for Phantom Cherry Blossom was conceived three years ago, when Rolls-Royce artisans met the commissioning client in Japan to fully understand their vision. This elegant, exquisitely detailed motor car is a stunning example of Bespoke artistry, not only expressing the client’s personal ambition but also the peerless skill and commitment of the Bespoke Collective. Now delivered to its proud custodian in Japan, this one-of-a-kind masterpiece is a true reflection of their individuality and passion.

FLORAL SANCTUARY: EXPANSIVE 250,000-STITCH EMBROIDERY
Inside the motor car, intricate embroidery captures the sensation of sitting beneath a flowering tree during Hanami, just as the client envisioned. A Bespoke Starlight Headliner is adorned with an embroidered cherry bough, sprinkled with delicate white blossoms. The falling petal embroidery appears on the rear door panels and Privacy Suite partition between the front and rear passenger compartments. The design and development of this remarkable expression of contemporary craft spanned more than six months. The headliner required three weeks alone to embroider and exceeds 250,000 stitches.

As light plays across this expansive embroidery, it reveals the intricate detail and ingenuity required to bring it to life. The rich thread texture of the embroidered cherry tree is achieved using an offset tatami stitch, inspired by the ancient Japanese weave technique.

The embroidered branches appear to be intertwining, growing over and under one another. To achieve this effect, a single artisan meticulously aligned 11 individually embroidered frame sections to create a single, seamless graphic rising from the rear of the motor car and flowing forward over the rear passengers.

Finally, the headliner is embroidered with cherry blossom flowers, formed of individual satin-stitch petals designed to capture the light at different angles with a jewel-like quality. The petals can be seen throughout the rear cabin, falling onto the doors and division of the motor car’s Privacy Suite.

ROLLS-ROYCE FIRST: SCULPTURAL 3D EMBROIDERY
In a Rolls-Royce first, the interior is completed with three-dimensional cherry petal embroidery. These tactile, sculptural details grace the division, creating a striking contrast to the classic stitchwork of the falling cherry petals on the doors.

Creating these three-dimensional embroideries required specialists to pioneer a new technique, where the thread is layered upon itself to form a self-supporting structure. Each petal is then shaped and sculpted into its final form by hand before being stitched into place, individually positioned to complement the interior lighting and create soft shadow effects.

FLORAL INSPIRATION: AN ELEGANT BESPOKE STATEMENT
Extending the Hanami theme, a falling petal motif appears on the inner lining of the Bespoke umbrellas, concealed within the motor car’s doors. The exterior also features a subtle reference to the theme; the Crystal over Arctic White coachwork incorporates a distinctive hand-painted coachline that elegantly tapers midway along the rear passenger door and features a delicate cherry blossom motif – an elegant preview of the artistry within.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continued its commitment to fostering the next generation of STEAM talent with a series of workshops at the local Davison CE High School for Girls. The sessions were developed to inspire young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), while also showcasing real-world applications of maths in the workplace.

The lessons, developed in collaboration with Mathematics Education Innovation (MEI), a charity which aims to improve maths education, were carefully mapped to the school curriculum and made relevant to luxury manufacturing. The workshops were led by ex-Davison student and current Rolls-Royce apprentice, Fleur Macmillan. Fleur was supported by Jess Burcombe, an Intern and undergraduate from the University of Chichester, who provided first-hand insights into a STEAM career pathway.

Fleur shared some inspiring words with the young students at the school: “Encouraging more young women to enter STEAM careers is so important. When I was sitting in those same classrooms only a few years ago, I never would have believed this was possible for me. There are so many ways to grow within Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and I am so pleased that I made that decision to choose a career with so much opportunity.”

Davison CE High School for Girls is the only state school on the Sussex Coast providing education exclusively for girls. The school is known for its proactive approach to engaging with industry partners, including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Headteacher, Chris Keating, said, “Being at the heart of our local community is really important to the students and staff of Davison CE High School for Girls. We want our students to make a positive contribution, and to see that they can be a genuine ‘force for good’. We feel really fortunate to have such a strong relationship with local employers such as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, and we work together to ensure that our students understand what it takes to succeed in the world of work and what wonderfully diverse career options are out there for them.”

The workshops support Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ wider Future Talent Programme (Graduates, Apprentices and Internships), which seeks to increase diversity and inclusion within the company. It also forms part of the company’s broader engagement with local stakeholders, reinforcing its reputation as a leading employer within the community.

Mark Adams, Director of Human Resources, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “By showing how important maths is within luxury manufacturing, we hope to inspire students to consider a future in the industry. In recent years, we have seen a welcome increase in female applicants for our Future Talent Programme, and activities like this are key to sustaining that progress.”

The application window for the 2025 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Apprenticeship programme is open until 31 March 2025. Applications are welcome from young people with a wide range of prior experience, interests and educational backgrounds. Most Apprenticeships will begin in August 2025, with opportunities available in a range of specialisms and at levels from NVQ Level 2 (two years, GCSE equivalent) to Level 6 (four years, equivalent to an undergraduate degree). Applications can be made online, with open roles available to view on the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars careers portal.

“Securing planning permission to extend the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood was the culmination of a detailed process of consultation and partnership with the local community and relevant agencies, authorities and expert advisors. I’m delighted that, in less than 12 months, we have begun the construction phase with the installation of the first foundation pads. This is a highly significant and exciting moment; it means we’re firmly on track to deliver this landmark project on schedule, enabling our future prosperity and immense economic contribution to the region and ‘UK PLC’.”
Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The construction phase of the new £300+ million landmark extension to the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood has begun, with the pouring of the first concrete foundation pads on the site, adjacent to the marque’s existing manufacturing facility and global headquarters.

The inaugural pads have been installed on the northern elevation of the site, where the new Exterior Surface Centre (Paint Shop) will be located. Contractors will now work their way southwards, creating a network of around 650 pads that form the foundations upon which this vital building will stand.

Goodwood is the Home of Rolls-Royce in both name and fact, as the only place in the world where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed and hand-built. The marque is ever mindful of this unique status, and is deeply sensitive to the building’s location in the beautiful West Sussex countryside, near the South Downs National Park.

Opened in 2003, the original site was specifically designed to blend into its surroundings. Together with its carefully considered blend of materials, and the largest ‘living roof’ in the UK, this renders it all but invisible from beyond its boundaries; the extension builds on this legacy. It has been meticulously designed to be sympathetic to the existing building and local landscape, while also reflecting advances in architecture, aesthetics, construction methods and approaches to the environment, conservation and biodiversity over the intervening 22 years.

Rolls-Royce applied for planning permission following an extensive consultation process involving local residents and relevant authorities, agencies, utilities and other stakeholders, supported by expert professional advisors and consultants. Since permission was granted by Chichester District Council in March 2024, progress on the project has been remarkably swift. The extensive groundworks required, including the landscaped bunds designed to screen the site from view, are well advanced. There have also been comprehensive upgrades to local footpaths, with planned planting contributing to a projected 12% biodiversity net-gain.

As well as housing the new Surface Finish Centre, the 40,000 square-metre extension will create much-needed capacity for the marque’s rapidly expanding Bespoke activities. These reached record levels in 2024, driven by the substantial growth in client requests for more technically complex, authentically challenging and highly individualised Bespoke commissions, which reach their apex in Coachbuild projects. This growth is itself a direct result of the marque’s continued investment in its global network of Private Offices, which has expanded from the original at Goodwood to international luxury centres including Dubai, Shanghai, New York and Seoul.

At more than £300 million, the extension project represents the single largest investment in the Home of Rolls-Royce since the facility opened in 2003. In that time, Rolls-Royce has become a great British manufacturing success story, with over 2,500 people employed on site and supporting a further 7,500 jobs in its wider supply chain. An independent study by the London School of Economics (LSE) showed the company has added a total of more than £4 billion to the UK economy, and currently makes an annual contribution in excess of £500 million.

“The launch of Phantom VI marked a significant chapter in the Rolls-Royce story; it would go on to become the marque’s final model offered as a rolling chassis, ending a line unbroken since 1904. However, the coachbuilding era ended in suitably magnificent style with Phantom VI. Launched in 1968, just 374 were built in a production cycle that extended over two decades; however, the 1980s can be regarded as its true heyday – only six examples were completed after 1990. The last fully coachbuilt Rolls-Royce, Phantom VI had coachwork by H. J. Mulliner Park Ward, then a wholly in-house operation; the best-known commissions were likely those built for the Royal fleet, which remain in service today. It would be more than 20 years before coachbuilt motor cars of comparable quality and detail would become available, when Rolls-Royce began its modern-day coachbuilding operation at Goodwood with ‘Sweptail’ in 2017. This was followed by the announcement of a dedicated department within Rolls-Royce named Coachbuild, and the unveiling of Boat Tail in 2021, then Droptail in 2023. Phantom VI is thus an important marker in the Rolls-Royce story, as both the swansong of traditional coachbuilding, and a model for the new generation that would follow.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

From its foundation in 1904, Rolls-Royce built rolling chassis, upon which clients commissioned coachwork from an independent coachbuilder. The marque produced its first complete monocoque cars in the 1960s, but continued to offer rolling chassis until the 1980s.

Phantom VI was the last Rolls-Royce to be made available in this form. In line with standard Rolls-Royce practice, established by Sir Henry Royce himself, Phantom VI was born out of the upgrades and enhancements to its predecessor, Phantom V. The accumulated improvements reached the point where Rolls-Royce engineers judged it sufficiently evolved to be worthy of a new designation.

Even so, Phantom VI already felt like something of an anachronism. Phantom V clients had been able to choose coachwork from four great names: H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Hoopers and James Young. By 1961, the latter two had closed their doors, while Rolls-Royce had acquired and amalgamated the other two to create its own in-house coachbuilder, known as H. J. Mulliner Park Ward, which would provide the bodies for virtually all Phantom VI motor cars.

Like all Rolls-Royce models, Phantom VI underwent various changes during its lifecycle, including a more powerful 6.75-litre V8 engine and a modern three-speed automatic gearbox to replace the original four-speed version inherited from the Silver Cloud era. It also had specially engineered brakes, which used the Silver Shadow-style high-pressure hydraulics to operate rams connected to twin master cylinders; the brake drums were designed for improved heat dissipation and more efficient linings.

Changes in safety legislation required front-hinged doors with burst-proof locks, flush interior door handles and a steering column that would collapse upon impact. New crash-testing protocols also meant the prototype Phantom VI chassis, PRH1500, suffered the indignity of being driven into a 100-tonne concrete block at 30mph (48km/h) – a test it passed so effortlessly it was subsequently rebuilt and is still in service as a courtesy car at a Swiss hotel to this day.

Although coachbuilding was by now a niche offer even for Rolls-Royce, Phantom VI provided a fitting ‘last hurrah’ for this longstanding traditional craft. The seven ‘Special Limousines’, codenamed ‘Alpha’, for example, were superficially similar to other Phantom VIs; but close examination revealed wider, chrome-plated window trims and 16” wheels with tyres inflated to 90psi. These modifications were required to accommodate the 5mm thick glass and 7mm of armour plating that rendered the rear passenger compartment both bullet and bomb-proof. No such provision was made for the luckless chauffeur, however.

Phantom VI was also the last truly coachbuilt Rolls-Royce to offer both Sedanca de Ville and Landaulette coachwork. The Landaulette was available opening either to the B-pillar or over the rear seat, the latter variant being the choice of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Her daughter, HM Queen Elizabeth II, owned two Phantom VIs. The first, codenamed ‘Oil Barrel’, had its roof height raised by 13cm (5″) and a Perspex rear cupola that could be quickly covered by a two-piece, black-painted aluminium dome when the occupants required privacy. The second, delivered for the Royal fleet in July 1987, was codenamed ‘Lady Norfolk’ and had a standard roof height. Both remain in service at the Royal Mews today.

Increasing difficulty in obtaining minor chassis and coachwork components manufactured in the Silver Cloud era finally put paid to Phantom VI production. The last iteration commissioned by a client was delivered in May 1991; its 117 bespoke features included a solid silver fruit bowl to sit atop the cabinet behind the division, kept in place by concealed magnets.

In its 23-year lifecycle, just 374 Phantom VIs were built. The very last example to be completed was a Landaulette finished in black over red, with red leather in the front and red velvet in the rear compartment. Rolls-Royce had originally intended to retain the car itself, but recessionary pressures finally persuaded the company to part with it in 1993.

Phantom VI was the last Rolls-Royce model with traditional coachbuilt bodywork. It represented both the pinnacle and the swansong of the traditional coachbuilder’s art, with a purity of line and finesse of detail unequalled until Rolls-Royce embarked on its contemporary coachbuilding renaissance at Goodwood, with ‘Sweptail’, more than two decades later.

“Studies have shown that our 42-acre site and the adjoining Goodwood Estate are home to some of Britain’s most important mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and plants – all of which we’re helping to conserve through our long-term environmental partnership. In this latest initiative, we’re working together to measure and monitor the local population of another rare and protected species, the hazel dormouse, using nest boxes designed and handmade by our Apprentices. The nest boxes are located in prime dormouse habitats and we’re very hopeful that these delightful but highly endangered creatures will soon take up residence in the palatial new accommodation we’ve provided!”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Apprentices at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have designed and handmade a series of nest boxes for one of the UK’s most endangered mammals, the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), as part of the marque’s long-term environmental partnership with the neighbouring Goodwood Estate.

The hazel dormouse is a tiny creature, with a body 6-9cm (about 3”) long plus a tail of similar length, and typically weighs around 25g (1oz) – roughly the same as a pencil. The Apprentices based their design on detailed research, conducted online and through contact with various wildlife trusts, to determine the appropriate shape and dimensions for the nest boxes. Most importantly, they needed to ensure the entrance hole would be large enough to admit the dormice, while obstructing their many predators, which include owls, badgers and domestic cats.

The team then selected materials that would be durable and non-toxic, while allowing scope for Rolls-Royce design and construction flair. They eventually decided on oak, which is legendary for its natural longevity, quarter-sawn to show off its beautiful grain patterns, notably the medullary or pith rays created by thin, ribbon-like structures that radiate from the centre of the trunk. When oak is quarter-sawn – that is, perpendicular to the growth rings – these rays are particularly pronounced, creating a shimmering, iridescent surface effect called ‘ray fleck’. The nest boxes are finished with roofing felt to further protect them from the weather and increase their durability.

During an on-site visit, the Apprentices met the Goodwood Estate’s head of forestry and learned about the types of habitat favoured by dormice, and how to install the nest boxes into a new area of woodland.

The nest boxes have been placed in an area of hazel and other broadleaf species, with a dense understory including honeysuckle and ivy, which dormice use to climb into safe hiding spaces. Despite these promising conditions, to date, there has been no definitive evidence of dormice living in this area; the Goodwood Estate team hope that by installing the nest boxes, their presence can be confirmed. This monitoring will allow the team to identify and address any threats in the surrounding environment and enhance the habitat further. Managing the woodland more effectively for dormice will also benefit the much broader range of species living there.

The hazel dormouse is the only species of dormice native to Britain. Most commonly found in the south of England and Wales, its population has crashed in recent years; numbers are thought to have fallen by 52% between 2009 and 2018, mainly through the loss and fragmentation of the ancient woodland and hedgerows that make up its habitat. This, combined with dormice being nocturnal and arboreal creatures, makes seeing them extremely difficult and unusual.

Hazel dormice are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or handle them. This safeguard also extends to any location or structure – including the new Rolls-Royce nest boxes – that hazel dormice use for shelter or protection.