Rolls-Royce Celebrates 100 Years of Phantom at Goodwood Revival

Goodwood Revival showcases Phantom heritage

Rolls-Royce chose the perfect stage to celebrate one of its greatest achievements — the Phantom’s 100th anniversary. The Goodwood Revival, an immersive celebration of period racing and vintage style, takes place just a few miles from Rolls-Royce headquarters in West Sussex. In 2025, the Revival becomes more than just an event; it becomes a living timeline of Phantom’s evolution.

On the Aerodrome Lawn, five landmark Phantoms are displayed, each telling a chapter of the model’s century-long story. Between races, course-car demos bring the Phantom onto the Goodwood Motor Circuit, proving that history still moves with grace and authority. This blend of static showcase and dynamic performance underlines why Phantom remains Rolls-Royce’s flagship.

Why Phantom defines ultra-luxury

Phantom is more than a car — it is the definition of ultra-luxury motoring. Since the first ‘New Phantom’ of 1925, eight generations have set benchmarks in refinement, design, and presence. Rolls-Royce positions Phantom as the pinnacle of its lineup, embodying values of silence, elegance, and personalization.

The 100-year milestone offers Rolls-Royce a chance to remind the world that Phantom is both heritage and future. Each model selected for Goodwood Revival 2025 highlights a turning point: from opulent craftsmanship to grand touring performance to ceremonial duty.

Five Phantoms on the Aerodrome Lawn

Phantom I Brougham de Ville — ‘The Phantom of Love’ (1926)

Commissioned by Clarence Warren Gasque as a gift for his wife, Maude, this Phantom embodies theatrical luxury. The interior features Aubusson tapestries, a hand-painted ceiling with gilded cornices, and a drinks cabinet crowned with a French Ormolu clock. With porcelain vases and enamel flowers, the car represents the peak of coachbuilt imagination and artistry.

Phantom II Continental Touring by Park Ward (1930s)

Built for high-speed touring, the Phantom II Continental emphasized aerodynamics and weight reduction — rare priorities for the era. Inspired by Henry Royce’s experimental car, this model catered to long-distance European driving. Details such as a sunroof and yellow-tinted sun visor made it both functional and stylish.

Phantom III (1937)

Delivered originally to Major Frederick Warren Pearl of London, this Phantom III later crossed to the United States before returning to the UK. After a meticulous restoration, it remains in private ownership, proving Phantom’s enduring value and collectability across generations.

Phantom IV Landaulette (1950–1956)

The Phantom IV is the rarest of them all — just 18 were ever produced, built exclusively for royalty and heads of state. It is the only Rolls-Royce fitted with a straight eight-cylinder engine and carried an extended chassis. To this day, Phantom IV vehicles remain in service for ceremonial duties, representing both authority and heritage.

Phantom V by James Young — PV22 (1964)

Commissioned by Marks & Spencer’s chairman, Lord Marks, this Phantom V was delivered in Midnight Blue. With nearly 92,000 documented miles, it continues to operate in perfect mechanical order. Its understated elegance shows how Phantom serves as both transport and legacy, designed to outlast decades of change.

Phantom on the move at Goodwood Circuit

At Goodwood Revival, Phantom is not only displayed but also driven. Between races, four Phantom course cars glide onto the track, demonstrating that the model’s legendary refinement extends beyond static beauty. Seeing a century of Phantom in motion alongside classic race cars connects its heritage directly to its modern presence.

Goodwood: Home of Rolls-Royce

Since 2003, Goodwood has been the global headquarters and manufacturing home of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Every Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan, and Spectre is hand-built here in West Sussex. The facility itself is a case study in sustainable design, blending with the countryside while producing some of the world’s most personalized luxury vehicles.

In 2025, Rolls-Royce announced expansion of the Goodwood site, supporting the growing demand for Bespoke and Coachbuild projects. A study by the London School of Economics confirmed the brand’s wider economic contribution, adding more than £4 billion to the UK economy since Goodwood’s opening and generating over £500 million annually.

Heritage meets electric future

While celebrating 100 years of Phantom, Rolls-Royce is also preparing for the electric future. By 2030, the brand will transition to an all-electric portfolio. The first step is Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s fully electric model, designed from the ground up as an EV. With a 2.5-million-kilometer testing program, Spectre is positioned as the natural successor to Phantom’s values: silence, effortless power, and timeless design.

The Phantom centenary demonstrates continuity. The lessons in ride isolation, materials, and bespoke craftsmanship gathered over a century are now applied to electric innovation. Rolls-Royce argues that Phantom’s DNA — discretion, detail, and presence — naturally fits the EV era.

Revival’s storytelling chemistry

Goodwood Revival is more than a race weekend; it is an immersive narrative of style, sound, and history. Guests dress in vintage attire, cars are driven rather than displayed, and nostalgia blends with performance. By showcasing Phantom here, Rolls-Royce creates a bridge: heritage activated in real time, with the electric future close behind.

Phantom’s enduring DNA

• Bespoke artistry as a tradition. From the Phantom of Love to the James Young Phantom V, each Phantom reflects its commissioner’s vision.
• Luxury with performance. The Phantom II Continental highlights the balance between refinement and long-distance touring performance.
• Diplomatic symbolism. The Phantom IV remains the ceremonial car of royalty and heads of state.
• Longevity built in. The Phantom III’s preserved history proves the value of Phantom across generations.

Why 2025 matters

The centenary comes at a pivotal moment for the ultra-luxury market. Demand for personalization is stronger than ever, with Bespoke and Coachbuild programs expanding globally. Rolls-Royce leverages Phantom’s legacy to show continuity with its electric transformation.

The event also reinforces Rolls-Royce’s identity. As a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Group, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars operates independently of the aero-engine manufacturer that shares its name. Goodwood Revival, with its mix of vintage cars and aviation heritage, offers a timely reminder of that distinction.

Conclusion: Phantom’s second century

Phantom has never been just a car — it has been a cultural symbol, a ceremonial tool, and a bespoke canvas for the world’s most discerning clients. At 100 years old, it is now positioned to lead Rolls-Royce into an all-electric future.

Goodwood Revival 2025 proves that Phantom’s values of elegance, craftsmanship, and presence are timeless. The five Phantoms on the Aerodrome Lawn trace its past. The course cars on the track show its enduring motion. And the arrival of Spectre signals that Phantom’s legacy will live on — silent, powerful, and ready for its second century.