Earlier this week a publication from China decided to break the embargo on the new Rolls-Royce Phantom and released a couple of pics allegedly showing the new model. The eighth version of the Phantom looked just like we expected it to, as no major change to its design could be tolerated by the conservative crowd that makes up the bulk of the buyers. Therefore, with the latest teaser coming from the British car maker we now have a rough idea of how the new car will look.
While we still don’t have anything else to go on for now, the technical details and the design of the rest of the car still remain closed in some pdf file somewhere in Goodwood. However, we do have an official reveal date announced and it’s all going to happen on July 27. The reveal of the Phantom VIII will be the climax of The Great Eight Phantoms exhibition held at Bonhams in Mayfair, London and the world will be able to watch it through the www.greatphantoms.com website.
Along with the teaser posted above, Rolls-Royce also announced the last three Phantoms that will be taking part in the exhibition. The Phantom IV will be shown in the shape of the Aga Khan III. The Aga Khan III is famous for combining a jetset lifestyle as thoroughbred horse owner with his role as leader of the Nizari Ismaili Muslim community. The Aga Khan was among just 18 heads of state and members of royal families to commission a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV.
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Aga Khan III was President of The League of Nations from 1937 to 1938, but also owned five Derby winners and won British flat racing’s Champion Owner title 13 times. He liked the finest things in life and so his choice of a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV was no surprise.
The Hooper coachwork of the Aga Khan’s Phantom IV has remarkable flowing lines, the rear wheels are enclosed and the body is in the Sedanca de Ville style, whilst the interior features sumptuous red leather, using Connolly hides. It took two years to build, from 1950 to 1952, thanks to its many bespoke additions; an adjustable mirror, concealed silver brush, comb and compact – all engraved with the Aga Khan’s royal crest which was also to be seen on the doors – as well as a built-in Dictaphone and a full picnic set. ‘The Aga Khan Phantom IV’ has been kindly loaned to ‘The Great Eight Phantoms’ by Mr Ion Tiriac.
As for the Phantom VI, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has graciously loaned her own Phantom VI State Limousine for the event. The most striking aspect of this Park Ward-bodied Phantom VI is its raised roofline, supporting an enormous expanse of toughened glass. It enables Her Majesty, and indeed other members of the Royal family who use the vehicle to see and (more importantly) be seen.
This Phantom, like others in the Royal Fleet, had the ‘Royal mascot’ of St. George slaying the dragon put in place of the Spirit of Ecstasy when Her Majesty was on board, apart from when she visited Scotland, when a silver lion is used instead. It also had a fitment to hold the Queen’s Shield and the Royal Standard.
Last, but definitely not least, the Phantom VII that will complete this assembly comes from Australia and it’s the first one that was built after BMW took over the brand, back in 2003. Three months after its debut at 00.01 on 1 January 2003, the First Goodwood Phantom was shipped from Southampton, England to Perth, Western Australia for its Australian debut in April 2003.
Following that debut, the Phantom was to undertake its first big adventure in the hands of its owner – a 4,500-mile epic drive across Australia. The route left Perth, heading down the coast of Western Australia, across the Nullarbor Plain to Adelaide in South Australia, then into Victoria and along the Great Ocean Road until finally arriving at the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, New South Wales.
