Rolling along at the end of an era with style and grace

After more than 90 years as one of the dominating figures in the luxury car segment, the final Rolls-Royce Phantom recently rolled off the Goodwood production line to signal an end of an era for the British icon, writes Kristian Harrison.

In 1925, the ‘New Phantom’ was created with the significant goal of being ‘The Best Car in the World’. While that will forever remain a subjective opinion, there is no doubt that the model was a roaring success and earned Rolls-Royce a new level of respect.

Now in its seventh generation, the final Phantom VII has been produced with much fanfare as the marque looks to the future and fresh ideas.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said: “From its introduction a little over 90 years ago, every motor car that has borne the title ‘Phantom’ has reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged.

“As Phantom VII gracefully leaves the stage, having defined the first chapter in the renaissance of Rolls-Royce, we look forward to building on its remarkable success with the imminent arrival of its successor.”

The final Phantom was designed with a maritime theme. This is no more evidenced in the clocks, featured in both the front cabin and the partition wall have been designed to echo the style of the radio clocks that adorned grand ocean liners. The Bezel, expressing 24 time zones, sits proud of the main clock, and reminiscent of HG Wells’ time machine, allows the owner to rotate it in either direction depending on where they find themselves in the world.

The exterior is finished in blue velvet, completed with a twin coach-line with ocean liner motif to the shoulder, and offset by pinstripe tyres and a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy.

The completion of this very final motor car, and the decommissioning of the Phantom production line after 13 years, sets the stage for the introduction of Phantom VIII, underpinned by a new aluminium architecture.