Ten of the most important Rolls-Royces ever made
The acclaimed automaker has built cars at the cutting edge of each era: vehicles that epitomise elegance in engineering, design, and detailing.
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On May 4, 1904, 26-year-old car dealer Charles Rolls and 42-year-old engineer Henry Royce were introduced to one another at the Midland Hotel in Manchester, England. The fortuitous tête-à-tête led to the first Rolls-Royce 7 kW, which premiered 7 months later in Paris.
During the subsequent 113 years, the acclaimed automaker has built cars at the cutting edge of each era: vehicles that epitomise elegance in engineering, design, and detailing. This past July, the company debuted the eighth edition of its flagship Phantom, a model that dates back to 1925 and has been owned by both heads of state and glitterati around the globe.
To commemorate the latest release, Robb Report asked Rolls Royce’s head of design, Giles Taylor, what he thought were the 10 most important Rolls-Royce cars ever constructed. Here is what made his list, in order of relevance, along with a few insights from Robert Austin, the executive director of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club.
1913 “Sluggard” Ghost
The first Ghost chassis, the 1913 “Sluggard” was nicknamed in sarcasm. Far from sluggish, it was equipped with a 7.4-litre 6-cylinder engine that allowed it to reach a top speed of 162 km/h — rather remarkable for the period.
An experimental example, it gave rise to the Ghost’s reputation for power and performance. “Rolls-Royce Ghosts of that ilk were set up with what the marque referred to as ‘London-to-Edinburgh’ specification,’” says Austin. “About 35 of them were eventually built as competition roadsters. And no two of those cars had the same body.”
Although the example that Taylor touts had worn numerous bodies in its time, its underlying pioneering design places it at the top of his list. “The “Sluggard” Ghost says much about the disciplined, technical mind-set of Sir Henry Royce,” says Taylor. “It was one of his early masterpieces that went on to define the brand.”
1925 Phantom I Barker 10EX
Before Rolls-Royce began creating the coachworks for its rolling chassis, it was still able to develop a distinct visual language by defining specific design cues. These included the establishment of the elongated hood and a vehicle height that was to be no greater than that of two stacked tires. And it was the experimental 1925 Phantom I Barker 10EX that helped set what would become some of the marque’s most enduring standards.
“The 10EX is truly sleek; it telegraphs motion,” says Austin. “It is what Sir Henry Royce used to test out new componentry and new spring and suspension arrangements in order to create a sportier and more dynamic car.”
According to Taylor, the car not only foreshadows the marque’s future success but also captures the temper of the time. “Elegant proportions and rakish simplicity are evident in this early Royce experimental chassis that features the work of coachbuilder Barker of London,” he explains. “And the daring cream-and-blue color combination says much about the free spirit of the 1920s.”
Phantom II Continental by Freestone and Webb
When the demand rose for cars that were more viable and reliable at covering substantial distances, Rolls-Royce answered with the Continental. “Whether open-top or closed, Continentals were good at getting down the road,” says Austin. “Today we would call them GT cars. They were meant for travel from country to country as opposed to many of the Rolls-Royce models that were intended to be limousines for around town.”
Part of a line that was produced from 1929 through 1936, the particular 1935 Phantom II Continental pictured here is a convertible dressed by Freestone and Web — a London-based coachbuilder who crafted it to be both extremely eye-catching and comfortable.
“Its aesthetic edge and 1930s glamour mark out this two-door as a design icon,” says Taylor. “One senses that the owners would have been the stars of their day.”
Phantom III Sedanca de Ville
The Phantom III—produced from 1936 to 1939 — was the marque’s first car to carry a V-12. The engine was a smaller precursor to the Rolls-Royce Merlin, which served as the heart of Britain’s air force during WWII, including the power behind the Spitfire fighter.
The moniker “Sedanca de Ville” referenced a body style that presented a dual personality. “The roof over the chauffeur was soft and could be removed or retracted, while the back of the body generally had a solid roof,” explains Austin. “And to show you how times change, the driver’s seat in a Sedanca was leather for durability, but the passenger compartment almost always featured cloth fabric because it was considered more plush, luxurious, and cooler. Now when buying a fancy car, the first thing you want is leather.”
The specific Phantom III that Taylor ranks in his top 10 had its body constructed by Thrupp & Mayberly, the same coachbuilder commissioned by Queen Victoria. “Clean, flowing forms suggest that the most important people are comfortably seated in the rear,” says Taylor. “It’s the quintessential expression of chauffeur-driven elegance.”
Silver Cloud I
Designed by John Polwhele Blatchley and in production from 1955 to 1959, the Silver Cloud I comprised a steel chassis, a 115-kW 6-cylinder engine, and a 4-speed automatic transmission. But what made it a true model of merit was its finely tuned façade. During a decade that delivered automobiles with more futuristic features — at least in the United States — the Silver Cloud bore an antithetical aesthetic.
“In 1955, cars in America were beginning to have tail fins and becoming longer, lower, and wider,” says Austin. “In that world of forward-looking vehicles, Rolls-Royce comes out with one that looks like a prewar car. It wasn’t unattractive or dated, however, but regal—it stopped you in your tracks.”
While a number of automobiles from that era now look rather absurd, the Silver Cloud I remains a visual calling card of success. “It has a superb sense of unrivaled status combined with charm and charisma,” says Taylor. “The poise and presence of the Cloud is simply inspirational.”
Silver Shadow Corniche Convertible
By the mid-1960s, the social climate was beginning to change, and overt exhibitions of material prosperity were no longer in vogue — and that included vehicles. Case in point, music legend John Lennon made a statement by having his 1965 Phantom V painted in a fanciful kaleidoscope of colors that paid homage to the Romani, a European nomadic culture. In recognition of the decreasing market for over-the-top transportation, Rolls-Royce released the Silver Shadow.
“For the first time in the history of Rolls-Royce, most of its customers didn’t want a driver,” explains Austin, executive director of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club. “The challenge was to come out with a car that had status but was smaller — by Rolls-Royce standards — since it would be owner-driven. By 1972, the marque wanted to make the model more fun and exciting. That was the inspiration for the Corniche Convertible.”
The Silver Shadow Corniche Convertible struck a beautiful balance as it was simultaneously posh, practical, and a pleasure to drive. “It’s a car for those who enjoy the high life without ever reaching overstatement,” says Taylor. “The sublimely controlled rear haunch line inspired the Dawn and gives a subtle sense of virility.”
Silver Shadow
From 1965 through 1980, the Silver Shadow was Rolls-Royce’s model of innovation. Designed by John Polwhele Blatchley, the car was the marque’s first to include unibody construction, disc brakes, and hydraulic self-leveling suspension — among other notable features.
The Silver Shadow came in both two-door and four-door versions and has a power train that includes a V-8 engine paired with, most commonly, a 3-speed automatic transmission. Regardless of the car’s configuration, however, each example exudes unmistakably stately styling.
“If form could ever express impeccable manners with the ability to ‘stay calm and carry on,’ then the Shadow comes closest,” says Rolls-Royce’s head designer Taylor. “The large C-pillar, angle of the rear screen, and the gentle fall of the rear boot lid all contribute.”
Phantom VIII
With the longest-running model name since cars were created, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been the refined ride of royalty, rock stars, and rarefied society in general. Debuted in 1925, the model is now in only its eighth generation. The latter, the logically delineated Phantom VIII, made its world premiere in London on July 27 of this year.
Simultaneously dubbed by the marque as “the most technically advanced Rolls-Royce ever” and “the most silent motor car in the world,” the phenomenal four-door is, quite simply, the epitome of elegance in aesthetics, amenities, and the occupants’ overall drive experience.
Within the oversized sedan sits a 419 kW, 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 with 900 Nm. Regulating the engine is an 8-speed gearbox that works in tandem with the car’s Satellite Aided Transmission. The overall combination permits the Phantom to fly from zero to 96.5 km/h in 5.3 seconds on its way to 249 km/h.
Complementing the power train is a new aluminum space frame that bolsters the car’s rigidity by 30 percent compared to past versions. And its updated self-leveling air suspension ensures that the Rolls-Royce’s renowned sensation of wafting over the road is even more remarkable.
Inside the cabin, numerous details vie for the eye’s attention, but the most visually innovative addition is the gallery — a glass-enclosed presentation of commissioned art that runs the length of the dash.
But as with the Phantoms before it, the VIII is meant to be truly enjoyed from the backseat, where rear picnic tables, theatre monitors, a Champagne chiller (stocked with crystal stemware), and plush lambs-wool rugs provide further pampering.
Dawn
A drophead coupe that’s drop-dead gorgeous, the Rolls-Royce Dawn broke onto the scene in 2015. A two-door with four-person capacity, the automotive luminary was designed by Taylor and comprises a predominantly newer body panel presentation than the marque’s other contemporary models.
The opulent open-top tourer is fit with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 with 900 Nm. The convertible cruises from zero to 96.5 km/h in 4.8 seconds and can reach 249 km/h.
The Dawn arose to attract a decidedly younger demographic and to be a model that more women would want. The roomy roadster, however, has found mass appeal among the marque’s devotees, and its popularity shows no signs of setting.
Wraith
Not just a courtly coupe, the Rolls-Royce Wraith is the marque’s most powerful model to date. Introduced in 2013, the tony two-door may share the name of its 1938 predecessor, but little else.
Built off the same chassis as the Ghost (which debuted in 2009), the car carries a 465 kW, 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that churns out 800 Nm. With an 8-speed automatic transmission part of the team, the power train allows the Wraith to run from zero to 96.5 km/h in 4.4 seconds before topping out at 249 km/h.
The resplendent four-seater’s cabin features the same Starlight Headliner as the Phantom VIII (just with fewer lights) as well as top-end technology such as its Satellite Aided Transmission, Head Up Display, and 360-degree camera view. And, of course, lambs-wool rugs lie lavishly underfoot.
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Every sunrise is a party in Ibiza. Indeed, often it seems like unadulterated hedonism is actively encouraged on the most infamous of the four Balearic Islands, a sun-draped paradise where dusk-to-dawn dance parties segway into swanky beach-club afternoons (often involving more dancing), enjoyed by a melting pot of wealthy international pleasure seekers whose sole aim is to party, and party hard.
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Our adventure begins around 30 minutes’ drive north of Ibiza Town’s party district on the quieter side of the island, the preferred base of many HNWIs who now call Ibiza home. We’re staying at the secluded Six Senses Resort, situated on the northern tip of the peninsula at Cala Xarraca. The immediate area is surrounded by nature trails, sleepy villages and expansive views of the Mediterranean Sea, while the resort itself has a private, pueblo-like feel, its terracotta buildings engulfed by beds of charming wildflowers. In this corner of the isle, for the right price, world-class DJs who spin at iconic island clubs like Pacha and Amnesia are available for house calls and famed chefs create intimate culinary moments behind closed doors. Enrichment can also be found through spirituality and emerging wellness experiences, such as grounding cacao rituals, sobriety coaching, sustainability education sessions and longevity-focused health clubs.
If you’re currently wondering what place a Rolls-Royce has here, remember that privacy and serenity are hallmarks of this storied brand. And in terms of high-level bespoke offerings, craftsmanship and a real-world view of sustainability focused on things made to last, few automotive brands on the planet can match the expectations of those who inhabit this island.
The next morning, we hit the road. Our initial drive takes us towards the west coast, passing charming white-washed villages, pine forests and olive groves that grow out of red dirt. Cullinan’s torquey, 6.75-litre, V12 engine leaps into action when called upon, and combined with the instinctive feel of the steering, manages to hide its somewhat behemoth size. Though the scenery is divine, the tarmac is undulating, but on the cliff-lined curves and uneven surfaces, the plush underpinning of the Rolls-Royce’s signature “magic carpet ride” ensures we barely feel a bump.
Arriving at our first destination, the marina of Santa Eulària des Riu (where a local informs us that the yacht flying a Dutch flag belongs to F1 driver Max Verstappen), the Cullinan cuts a commanding presence. And here, as our steed’s vibrant paint glistens under the Spanish sun, and its lines nod to those found in the mid-size yachts and chic speedboats in the harbour, it starts to make sense why this car would feel so at home in Ibiza.
Cullinan’s new exterior design has a fresh and sharper sense of verticality, evidenced in the more upright lines, crisp edges, and a more powerful-appearing illuminated Pantheon Grille. As someone who wasn’t that much of a fan of Series I’s appearance, these additions give the car more attitude, making for a pleasant surprise. Some dazzling new paint options are on offer too, such as Emperador Truffle. This minimalist, solid grey-brown was inspired by richly veined brown marble, and when combined with the bespoke “Crystal Over” finish, a lacquer infused with glass particles, elicits a mesmerising sunlight-like shimmer.
Before long, we embark on the next leg of our journey, towards Cala Jondal on the far south of Ibiza, best known for its buzzy, upscale chiringuito (the Spanish word for beach bar), helmed by Sevillian chef Rafa Zafra, formerly of the celebrated El Bulli restaurant. This time, we take an inland route, passing bewildered locals not used to seeing a Spirit of Ecstasy statue close up.
As fun as it is to drive, being a passenger in the Cullinan is an experience in itself. The deep-pile carpet is particularly transcendent, likewise the 18-speaker Bespoke Audio system with its 18-channel, 1400-watt amplifier. Who needs Pacha and Amnesia.
Relaxing on the back pews also gives us a chance to run our eyes over the car’s other interior highlights, not least the cityscape-inspired illuminated facia panel, made using a technique which involves 7,000 dots being laser-etched at different angles and depths onto darkened security glass, leading to a striking, multidimensional effect. Naturally, there’s the option to create your own motif in collaboration with the marque’s bespoke design team.
Speaking to customers’ desires for more boldness, there’s a range of new interior textile options, including an artistic leatherwork technique for the seats, dubbed Placed Perforation, whereby tiny perforations are made in the material to create a custom artwork design; plus, an alluring embroidered rayon fabric textile made from bamboo, a modern reimagining of the type found in historic Rolls-Royce cars. Its development was inspired by the bamboo grove of the Côte d’Azur’s Le Jardin des Méditerranées, a beloved spot of the marque’s co-founder Sir Henry Royce.
Rolls-Royce’s pleasingly pedantic approach to sweating the small stuff can also be seen in its use of an open-pore veneer called Grey Stained Ash, which took four years and six specially trained craftsmen to develop and is individually stained and arranged in a pattern to best suit each car.
This hands-on, artisanal ethos, however, doesn’t come at the expense of contemporary digital elements. The relatively small footprint of Rolls-Royce means it’s able to stay more closely connected with its clientele, and in the Cullinan, via a customer-only app called Whispers, the brand can stay in contact with customers and share new bespoke offerings, relevant lifestyle content and events.
After a dazzling lunch at Rafa Zafra’s beachfront Cala Jondal—which certainly should be first on Whispers’ list of hot dining spots—it’s time to make our way back to the airport and say a regret-tinged adios to the Cullinan.
Details play a role in the meaningfulness of a personalised car, and the stories they allow an object to tell. This is a particularly true at Rolls-Royce, where every car model is handmade to order; where one can select a moment in time and have it mapped out in stars on the roof; where you can bring a box of crystal champagne flutes and have them crushed and mixed into paint; or where you can request a veneer made from your favourite backyard tree as a child. The possibilities are infinite.
As we’ve seen over the past two days, embodying the spirit of an Ibiza-based billionaire might just come down to the unwavering pursuit of personal optimisation. Maybe that’s the bigger ideology at play here under the Balearic sun: that the Cullinan represents a unique kind of private hedonism, a euphoric moment between driver and machine. For now, though, the exhaustion from all the driving is taking its toll. Or maybe, just maybe, we’re tired from dancing into the night to the DJ who came to our private villa the night before. In one way or another, this island always captures you.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan will be available in Australia in late 2024, price on application; rolls-roycemotorcars.com
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Take the healthful effects of the Greek island of Tinos or driving the new Rolls-Royce around Ibiza, for example. We also check into an integrated wellness clinic in Thailand and a luxury resort in Spain that focuses on gut health—miso soup and a side of algae, anyone?—and luxuriate in Guerlain’s stunning new day spa outside of Athens. And we spend time with Rory Warnock, a breathwork practitioner and ultra-marathon runner whose tips for curing anxiety and promoting wellbeing are being sought by everyone from CEOs and Olympians to companies like Google and Bupa. And like us, he’s also partial to a well-made negroni. Oh, waiter? Maybe we’ll let the ship sail without us.
Robb Report ANZ’s Issue #38 is now on sale. Pick up your copy of our September issue for an invigorating upgrade for the mind, body and wardrobe.
