The most famous Rolls-Royce of all time is celebrating its 100th birthday in... a swimming pool. And that's no coincidence.
Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Elton John, 50 Cent… No, this isn't a list of the most popular artists of all time. It's proof of the extraordinary connection between Rolls-Royce and the world of popular music. And the ultimate connection has always been him. The Phantom.
The symbolic "100" is always a special occasion. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has much to celebrate in 2025.
“One hundred years ago, Rolls-Royce unveiled the first car to bear what has become the most evocative and enduring name in the brand’s history: Phantom ,” Chris Brownridge , CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars , wrote in a press release.
The vehicle, which has already seen eight generations, still serves the same purpose. It is intended to be:
- The most magnificent, desirable and – above all – effortless car in the world – truly the best of the best.
Rolls-Royce Phantom celebrates its 100th birthday License: Press materials / Rolls-RoyceThe legendary Phantom is beloved not only by motorcycle enthusiasts but also by those in the world of art and music. Let's focus on the latter, because the names of the most famous Rolls-Royce Phantom owners are a good starting point for creating a playlist full of true hits.
Rolls-Royce Phantom - 100th Birthday of an Automotive Legend License: Press Materials / Rolls-RoyceThe biggest stars of pop music have always loved to surround themselves with unique objects. You'd agree that Phantom could be called that, wouldn't you? The gift Marlene Dietrich received upon her arrival in California in 1930 perfectly embodies this.
The actress and singer had already starred in "The Blue Angel" and had a huge musical hit with "Falling in Love Again." In the United States, she was filming "Morocco," which earned her an Oscar nomination. Paramount Studios representatives welcomed the German-American star with a green Rolls-Royce Phantom I.
Rolls-Royce Phantom: A true automotive legend celebrates its 100th birthday. License: Press materials / Rolls-Royce.Luxury car manufacturers today boast of top-tier customization , but in 1963, things were… a bit different. That's when Elvis Presley bought his Phantom V. Even back then, the King of Rock and Roll was counting on "special touches," and among them were… a microphone and a notebook hidden in one of the armrests. Well, you never know when inspiration will strike, and Elvis clearly knew it all too well.
Besides... the body of this car was supposedly destroyed by Presley 's mother's chickens.
Rolls-Royce Phantom - 100th birthday of an automotive legend / press materialsJohn Lennon also bought a fifth-generation Phantom shortly after the success of the film "A Hard Day's Night." Interestingly, the vehicle was entirely black, including the windows, bumpers, and hubcaps. In 1967, the car was repainted yellow and decorated with colorful motifs, which was meant to herald the release of the legendary album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." In 1985, the car sold for $2.29 million, making it the most expensive car sold at auction at the time.
Rolls Royce Phantom: An automotive legend celebrates its 100th birthday. License: Press materials / Rolls-RoyceAmong the legends who drive this unique Rolls-Royce is Elton John . There's also a funny anecdote about that: While driving to a concert in a white Phantom VI in 1973, the musician spotted a newer model in the showroom window. Rocketman told the driver to stop the car, bought the new car, and drove on. Apparently, he installed such a powerful audio system that the rear window had to be reinforced.
Music changed. Over time, rappers began to use Rolls-Royces , and stars like Snoop Dogg , 50 Cent , and Lil Wayne used the famous model in music videos and on album covers.
Rolls-Royce Phantom - 100th birthday of an automotive legend / press materialsReturning to the guitar sound, it is also worth mentioning The Who drummer Keith Moon , who supposedly sank his Rolls-Royce into the hotel swimming pool during his 21st birthday.
Rolls-Royce Phantom - 100th birthday of an automotive legend / press materialsTrue or not (probably not), to celebrate the Phantom's centenary, Rolls-Royce decided to revive the legend and immersed the bodywork of the prototype destined for scrap in the Tinside Lido swimming pool in Plymouth .
To celebrate the 100th birthday of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Rollce sank his legendary car. License: Press materials / Rolls-Royce"From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the birth of hip-hop , over the past 100 years, musical artists have used the Phantom to express their identity and challenge convention. Their cars have often become icons in their own right, carving out a lasting place in the history of modern music. This enduring connection reminds us that Rolls-Royce and the extraordinary individuals who have made its history united by one desire: to make their presence felt," asserts Chris Brownridge .
