In a celebration rich in heritage, cinematic nostalgia, and bespoke handcraft, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commemorated the 100th anniversary of its legendary Phantom nameplate at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.

Hosted on the lush lawns of the Grand Hotel overlooking the lake waters of Lake Como, this special event was the perfect backdrop for the world premiere of Phantom Goldfinger — an exceptional commission that honors the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger.

This custom work is not just a celebration of a movie classic, but rather a masterclass in car storytelling. Commissioned by a private client, the Phantom Goldfinger is derived from the Phantom Extended and incorporates painstaking references to 007’s world.

The car incorporates 18- and 24-carat gold components throughout its exterior and interior, establishing an aura of regality that mirrors the title character’s excesses as well as the gold-mad storyline of the film itself.

From shining exterior themes to interior showcases drawn from Bond’s universe, the Phantom Goldfinger is an operatic rendition of custom luxury and narrative.

An Icon Returns: The 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville

In a poetic bridge between past and present, Rolls-Royce displayed the original 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville that appeared in Goldfinger.

Once owned by the eponymous villain Auric Goldfinger, this historic model is one of the most memorable Rolls-Royce appearances in the James Bond franchise — one of twelve to date. Its presence at the event offered a rare opportunity to witness the cinematic lineage that inspired the modern commission.

Phantom Through the Ages: A Gallery of Automotive Art

The Villa d’Este celebration was also the setting for a unique Rolls-Royce art show marking Phantom’s centenary. Eight unique works of art, one to symbolise each generation of Phantom, were unveiled by Rolls-Royce designers from the company’s Goodwood home.

These works did not only document design change — they were snapshots of the time, reflecting Phantom’s development of changing aesthetic and cultural impact throughout the past hundred years.

Each era’s art was created in the period’s style of art, further establishing Phantom as a product and influencer of culture.

A Parade of Prestige: Phantom V Takes the Spotlight

The festivities were also elevated by the sight of a perfect Phantom V leading the opening procession. Historically preferred by heads of state and cultural icons, the Phantom V reinforced the nameplate’s timeless appeal as a badge of power, leadership, and sophistication.

The Bottom Line

Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, encapsulated the spirit of the event, noting:

“The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the perfect setting for Rolls-Royce, as both this gathering and our marque celebrate the motor car as an object of art, craftsmanship and cultural expression.”

In the midst of a dynamic calendar of culture and luxury events throughout Italy, the debut of Phantom Goldfinger at Villa d’Este is a landmark for Rolls-Royce.

Far more than a centenary celebration, it is a declaration of how Phantom remains to fascinate — not just as an automobile, but as a cultural phenomenon, in its second century with grace, intent, and unremitting prestige.