Rolls-Royce Phantom at 100: which of these artworks (and cars) is your favourite?

Field Marshal Montgomery – one of countless World War II heroes – was apparently nicknamed ‘the Spartan General’ because he lived an austere life.

His only cherished material possession was a Phantom III that ferried himself and even Churchill, Eisenhower and King George VI around during those dark days.

A few years after the war, the Duke of Edinburgh was loaned an experimental Rolls-Royce in 1948 featuring a 5.3-litre straight-eight nicknamed ‘the Scalded Cat’. He wanted one for himself and HRH Princess Elizabeth, and that car – codenamed ‘Maharajah of Nabha’ – remains in use to this day.

This, and countless other stories are the main focus of Rolls-Royce’s celebrations for the car that has defined it for a century: the glorious Phantom. Perhaps the very best car in the world, at any given time, for 100 years. Because of such dominance and regard, RR has stories for days.

Like this one from 1966, when Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan commissioned a Phantom V. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, if you’re interested, was the ‘founding father’ of the United Arab Emirates, and the Phantom V was his inauguration car.

Or the one you’re more familiar with, when a certain chap called John Lennon ordered a Phantom V in 1964 following the success of a little known album called A Hard Day’s Night. He wanted the V fully blacked out, but Rolls-Royce pushed back on two very hard points: the Spirit of Ecstasy and grille’s brightwork had to remain… bright. “There are lines even a Beatle can’t overstep,” said Rolls-Royce. Quite.

But overstep them Lennon did, when later, he commissioned a complete transformation of his Phantom, painting it yellow with swirling floral motifs. When in London, an Englishwoman attacked it with an umbrella, so outraged was she that someone could deface a Rolls-Royce. It later sold for a very groovy $2.2m in 1985 – then a world record.

Elvis bought a Phantom V in ’63. Bond’s nemesis in Goldfinger drove a black and yellow Phantom III in ’64. The list goes on.

“Since its earliest days, Phantom has been among the most desired rewards for success and a potent symbol of power and prestige on the world stage. Above all, it has provided a means of personal expression for its owner, often becoming a work of art in its own right,” said Rolls-Royce boss Chris Brownridge.

To celebrate 100 years of… basically being better than you, RR has commissioned eight unique pieces of art – because of course – reflecting each of the Phantom’s eight generations. And even this act itself dovetails back to a story charting the beginning of the RR story.

Back in 1910, Charles Sykes was tasked with creating six original oil paintings for Rolls-Royce’s catalogue; paintings depicting RRs arriving at the opera, a country house, golf course and other such noble pursuits that reflected its owners’ tastes. Sykes of course, designed the Spirit of Ecstasy itself.

So, long story short, which Phantom resonates with you? And which of the artworks most speaks to your idea of a Phantom? Tell us your story below.