Rolls-Royce Phantom: 100 years in music history

Rolls-Royce Phantom marks 100 years with ties to music icons and cultural milestones

A hundred years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is not just a story of luxury and engineering excellence, but also of its deep ties with music and culture. Since the early 20th century, the Phantom has been more than a car — it has been a stage companion, a status symbol, and a canvas for personal expression.

In 1928, Fred Astaire acquired a Phantom I while performing in London and later shipped it to the United States, weaving the car into his own legend. Artists like Duke Ellington, Edith Piaf, and Sam Cooke also embraced the Phantom as a marker of recognition and artistry.

Customization played a key role in its mythos. John Lennon’s Phantom V began as an entirely black limousine, complete with a mini television and a refrigerator in the boot. In 1967, just before the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, it was repainted bright yellow and decorated with psychedelic motifs by artist Steve Weaver. The car became an icon in its own right, and when it sold at auction in 1985 for $2,229,000, it set a record, confirming the Phantom’s dual status as both vehicle and artwork.

The Phantom also found its way onto screens. Marlene Dietrich’s Phantom I appeared in Morocco, and later the model was featured in James Bond films. By the time music videos defined popular culture, the Phantom had already secured its place as an “icon of icons.”

The economic journey is equally striking. In the mid-20th century, a Phantom was valued at around $25,000 — the price of a large house at the time. Today, auction results range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, with rare examples commanding millions. The average value of a Phantom V now stands at £41,215, though some cars have far surpassed that figure.

Technical achievements strengthened its allure. The Phantom V, produced between 1959 and 1968, carried a 6.2-liter V8 engine and a GM Hydramatic automatic transmission, with coachwork by Park Ward, James Young, and Mulliner Park Ward. Its successor, the Phantom VI, became the last Rolls-Royce to be built on a traditional frame chassis.

In hip-hop culture, Rolls-Royce became one of the most referenced brands, though specific mentions of the Phantom are harder to trace. Still, the car’s Starlight Headliner and unmistakable presence reinforced its reputation as a rolling symbol of success and aspiration.

As Rolls-Royce celebrates a century of the Phantom, the message is clear: this model has always been more than a luxury car. It has been a witness to cultural milestones, a reflection of musical eras, and it will likely continue to inspire future generations of artists.