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Photo of a Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce Phantom

100 years, eight generations: Phantom VIII turns its dashboard into an art gallery.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 42 sources

Also called

  • Super GhostAn enthusiast nickname for the New Phantom, whose design closely followed the Silver Ghost.1

At a glance

Engine
VII: 6.75 L V12; VIII: 6.75 L twin-turbo V1268
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive411
Gearbox
VII: 6-speed auto; 8-speed from 2013 MY; VIII: 8-speed auto68
Built at
I: Derby, UK / Springfield, US; V chassis: Crewe, UK; VII–VIII: Goodwood, UK26812
Units built
II: 1,681 chassis; III: 727 chassis; IV: 18 cars; VI: 374 cars3131415

The story

Launched in 1925 to replace the Silver Ghost, Phantom began as a chassis for individually commissioned coachwork. By its 2025 centenary, eight generations had carried the name at the top of Rolls-Royce's range.12

1925: The New Phantom replaces Silver Ghost19251936: Phantom III brings V12 power19361950: 18 straight-eights for royalty19501998: BMW buys the Rolls-Royce name19982003: Goodwood's first Phantom VII20032012: Phantom VII gains eight speeds20122017: Phantom VIII gets a new skeleton20172022: Series II arrives with Phantom Platino20222025: 100 years, 25 Centenary Phantoms2025 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (40/50): 1906–192640/50Rolls-Royce Phantom I (I): 1925–1931IRolls-Royce Phantom II (II): 1929–1935IIRolls-Royce Phantom III (III): 1936–1939Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (IV): 1950–1956IVRolls-Royce Phantom V (V): 1959–1968VRolls-Royce Phantom VI (VI): 1968–1990VIRolls-Royce Phantom VII (RR01): 2003–2017RR01Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII (VIII): 2017–presentVIII 191019201930194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1235681213141521
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1906–1926Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost (40/50)
1925–1931Rolls-Royce Phantom I (I)
1929–1935Rolls-Royce Phantom II (II)
1936–1939Rolls-Royce Phantom III (III)
1950–1956Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (IV)
1959–1968Rolls-Royce Phantom V (V)
1968–1990Rolls-Royce Phantom VI (VI)
2003–2017Rolls-Royce Phantom VII (RR01)
2017–presentRolls-Royce Phantom VIII (VIII)
1925The New Phantom replaces Silver Ghost
1936Phantom III brings V12 power
195018 straight-eights for royalty
1998BMW buys the Rolls-Royce name
2003Goodwood's first Phantom VII
2012Phantom VII gains eight speeds
2017Phantom VIII gets a new skeleton
2022Series II arrives with Phantom Platino
2025100 years, 25 Centenary Phantoms
  1. 1925

    The New Phantom replaces Silver Ghost

    A new overhead-valve straight-six replaces the Silver Ghost's side-valve engine; owners commission their own coachwork.2

  2. 1936

    Phantom III brings V12 power

    Phantom III introduces a V12 and independent front suspension, raising output from Phantom II's 120 hp to 165 hp.1

  3. 1950

    18 straight-eights for royalty

    Phantom IV pairs a straight-eight with extraordinary exclusivity: just 18 are built from 1950 to 1956, offered only to royalty and heads of state.3

  4. 1998

    BMW buys the Rolls-Royce name

    BMW acquires the Rolls-Royce name in July, starting the project that will create a new car and a new factory.4

  5. 2003

    Goodwood's first Phantom VII

    Phantom VII launches the Goodwood era with spaceframe bodywork and a complete car built entirely in-house.15

  6. 2012

    Phantom VII gains eight speeds

    Series II brings an eight-speed automatic, full LED headlights and a new differential; combined fuel consumption falls 10%.67

  7. 2017

    Phantom VIII gets a new skeleton

    The Architecture of Luxury debuts under Phantom VIII, alongside Rolls-Royce's first four-wheel steering and road-scanning air suspension.18

  8. 2022

    Series II arrives with Phantom Platino

    The eighth-generation Series II gains an illuminated grille. Phantom Platino marks the launch with leather front seats and fabric rear seats.9

  9. 2025

    100 years, 25 Centenary Phantoms

    The 25-car Phantom Centenary Private Collection celebrates 100 years with solid gold Spirit of Ecstasy mascots and 160,000-stitch rear-seat textiles.10

Every generation

  • Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost
    40/501906–1926
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom I
    I1925–1931
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom II
    II1929–1935
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom III
    III1936–1939
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
    IV1950–1956
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom V
    V1959–1968
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
    VI1968–1990
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom VII
    RR012003–2017
  • Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII
    VIII2017–present

Power over the years

From 120 hp to 563 hp in 88 years.

0200400600 1930194019501960197019801990200020102020 hp 1929 · 120 hp · Phantom II1936 · 165 hp · Phantom III2017 · 563 hp · Phantom VIII 563 hp Phantom VIII 120 hp Phantom II
1813
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1929120Phantom II
1936165Phantom III
2017563Phantom VIII

Versions

9 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Phantom VIII

    2017–present

    563 hp

  • Performance

    Phantom II Continental

    281 built

  • Limited

    Phantom Zenith Collection

    2016

    50 built

  • Limited

    Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection

    2014

    35 built

  • Limited

    Phantom Centenary Private Collection

    2025

    25 built

  • Special

    Phantom Platino

    2022

  • Special

    Phantom Oribe

    2021

    1 built

  • Special

    Phantom Syntopia

    2023

    1 built

  • Special

    Phantom Goldfinger

    2024

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • VII: RR wheel-center logos remain upright while the wheels turn.611
  • VIII: the grille integrates into the surrounding bodywork.811

Year by year

  1. 1963 (V)

    Phantom V adopted new front fenders housing quad headlights.12

  2. 2009 (VII)

    Saloons gained a shallower steel grille, revised front bumper, illuminated door handles and standard 21-inch wheels.611

  3. 2013 model year (VII)

    Series II replaces the round lower lamps with thin light strips and introduces full LED headlights.6711

  4. 2017 (VIII)

    VIII integrates the grille into the bodywork and uses relatively small headlights and taillights.81119

  5. 2023 model year (VIII)

    Series II adds a polished bar above the grille, grille illumination and star-pattern headlamp bezels.8911

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Rolls-Royce Phantom
    Phantom
    Photo of a Ghost / Ghost Black Badge
    Ghost / Ghost Black Badge

    Ghost / Ghost Black Badge

    Ghost has a shorter body and wheelbase; Black Badge also replaces its silver chrome trim with black.20

Against its rivals

  • Maybach 57

    Phantom vs Maybach 57

    0–60 mph lower is better

    Phantom5.7 s
    Maybach 575.2 s
    22

  • Phantom vs Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge

    Base price lower is better

    Phantom$480,350
    Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge$442,700
    20
  • Mercedes-Maybach S680

    Phantom vs Mercedes-Maybach S680

    0–60 mph lower is better

    Phantom4.5 s
    Mercedes-Maybach S6803.7 s
    23

Prices

Value today $61.0K–$267.0K29303132

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$10K$100K$1M$10M 1990200020102020 Value today: $61,000–$267,000 2004 · $320,000 · US estimated base, Phantom2018 · $450,000 · US base, short wheelbase2018 · $530,000 · US base, long wheelbase2019 · $569,750 · US optioned Phantom, sticker total2023 · $480,350 · US base, Phantom2023 · $651,450 · US as tested, Phantom2026 · $555,350 · US starting MSRP, Phantom 1985 · $2,299,000 · 1965 Phantom V, John Lennon's, Sotheby's2025 · $263,700 · 2019 Phantom, 10k miles, BaT2025 · $434,000 · 1934 Phantom II Continental, Gurney Nutting, Monterey2025 · $137,500 · 1927 Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer, Hershey2025 · $86,900 · 2005 Phantom, 20k miles, BaT2025 · $191,000 · 2009 Phantom Drophead Coupe, 13k miles, BaT2025 · $141,000 · 1928 Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer, 76k shown TMU, BaT2025 · $181,000 · 2013 Phantom, 2,700 miles, BaT2025 · $62,000 · 1964 Phantom V Mulliner Park Ward, 7k shown TMU, BaT2026 · $61,000 · 2004 Phantom, 81k miles, BaT2026 · $70,000 · 2005 Phantom, 45k miles, BaT2026 · $267,000 · 2013 Phantom Drophead Coupe, 13k miles, BaT $2.3M Sotheby's, 1985
4192023293031323336373839404142
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2004Price when new$320,000US estimated base, Phantom
2018Price when new$450,000US base, short wheelbase
2018Price when new$530,000US base, long wheelbase
2019Price when new$569,750US optioned Phantom, sticker total
2023Price when new$480,350US base, Phantom
2023Price when new$651,450US as tested, Phantom
2026Price when new$555,350US starting MSRP, Phantom
1985Auction sale$2,299,0001965 Phantom V, John Lennon's, Sotheby's
2025Auction sale$263,7002019 Phantom, 10k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$434,0001934 Phantom II Continental, Gurney Nutting, Monterey
2025Auction sale$137,5001927 Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer, Hershey
2025Auction sale$86,9002005 Phantom, 20k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$191,0002009 Phantom Drophead Coupe, 13k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$141,0001928 Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer, 76k shown TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$181,0002013 Phantom, 2,700 miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$62,0001964 Phantom V Mulliner Park Ward, 7k shown TMU, BaT
2026Auction sale$61,0002004 Phantom, 81k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$70,0002005 Phantom, 45k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$267,0002013 Phantom Drophead Coupe, 13k miles, BaT
2026Value today$61,000–$267,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 9 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “A $2,299,000 rock-memorabilia record”
    • “AU1 hid gold in its bodywork”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 42 sources
  1. ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM: 100 YEARS OF PERFECTION newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  2. Rolls-Royce Phantom I - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. ROLLS-ROYCE CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF PHANTOM AT GOODWOOD REVIVAL 2025 newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  4. 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom - First Drive Review caranddriver.com
  5. MODELS OF THE MARQUE – THE 2000s: THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM VII newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  6. Rolls-Royce Phantom VII - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. 2013 Rolls Royce Phantom Saloon, Convertible And Coupe Receive Their First Facelift [61 Photos] | Carscoops carscoops.com
  8. Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  9. ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM: A NEW EXPRESSION newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  10. ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS PRESENTS THE PHANTOM CENTENARY PRIVATE COLLECTION: A DEFINING STATEMENT, 100 YEARS IN THE MAKING newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  11. Rolls-Royce Phantom - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. Rolls-Royce Phantom V - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  13. Rolls-Royce Phantom II - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  14. Rolls-Royce Phantom III - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Rolls-Royce Phantom VI - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  16. Rolls Royce Ends Phantom Production With 50 Zenith Collection Models | Carscoops carscoops.com
  17. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London hosts Waterspeed Phantom Drophead Coupé world debut hrowen.co.uk
  18. ROLLS-ROYCE AND THE ART WORLD newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  19. 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom First Drive Review %%sep%% %%sitename%% motortrend.com
  20. 2023 Rolls Royce Phantom and Ghost Black Badge Review: Unparalleled Parallels motortrend.com
  21. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  22. Bentley Arnage R, Maybach 57, and Rolls-Royce Phantom - Road Test & Review - Automobile Magazine motortrend.com
  23. 2026 Rolls-Royce Phantom Review, Pricing, and Specs caranddriver.com
  24. Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. A CENTURY OF POWER AND INFLUENCE: THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM AT 100 newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  26. Rolls-Royce Phantom III | Bond Lifestyle jamesbondlifestyle.com
  27. Rowan Atkinson checks in with Top Gear, shows off V16-powered Rolls-Royce Phantom - Autoblog autoblog.com
  28. 102EX – PHANTOM EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRIC PRESS KIT newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  29. 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $61,000 on August 19, 2026 (Lot #258,593) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 45k-Mile 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $70,000 on August 4, 2026 (Lot #255,758) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 10k-Mile 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $263,700 on July 30, 2025 (Lot #202,795) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 13k-Mile 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $244,000 on June 11, 2026 (Lot #247,264) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Sedanca Coupe by Gurney Nutting | Monterey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  34. Rolls-Royce Phantom VII buyer's guide - Luxury for a bargain? bmwblog.com
  35. Pre-Owned Rolls-Royce Buyer's Guide: Phantom, Ghost, Wraith - Exotics Hunter exoticshunter.com
  36. 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer by Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work | Hershey 2025 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  37. John Lennon's psychedelic Rolls-Royce - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  38. 20k-Mile 2005 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $86,900 on December 23, 2025 (Lot #224,694) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. 13k-Mile 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $191,000 on November 1, 2025 (Lot #217,646) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  40. No Reserve: 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $141,000 on July 19, 2025 (Lot #200,983) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  41. 2,700-Mile 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $181,000 on May 7, 2025 (Lot #190,641) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  42. No Reserve: 1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine by Mulliner Park Ward for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $62,000 on March 18, 2025 (Lot #184,119) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • newsroom.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • carscoops.com
  • hrowen.co.uk
  • motortrend.com
  • jamesbondlifestyle.com
  • autoblog.com
  • bringatrailer.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • bmwblog.com
  • exoticshunter.com

Photo credits

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