Rolls-Royce is celebrating 100 years of the Phantom nameplate, so what better and more opulent car and backdrop could emphasize this point than the one-of-one commissioned Phantom Goldfinger on display at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. It just sort of makes sense.
In case you missed it, the Phantom Goldfinger is a lavishly appointed bespoke example built to honor the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger. This private commission includes 24-carat gold details paying tribute with unique film references throughout the car. Rolls-Royce revealed full details of the car and its highly unique specification back in October and we published that information HERE.
Fans of the James Bond films will likely remember that the film’s villain Auric Goldfinger himself drove a 1937 Phantom III Sedan de Ville.
Beyond the cars, the Rolls-Royce design team exhibited eight artworks highlighting the evolution of the Phantom, while a Phantom V drove in the event’s opening parade.
PHOTO GALLERY
PRESS RELEASE
[source: Rolls-Royce]
Rolls-Royce celebrates 100 years of Phantom at 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este
Public debut of Phantom Goldfinger, a one-of-one commission honouring the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger
Landmark Private Commission includes 24-carat gold details and film references
1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville owned by film villain Auric Goldfinger also displayed
Rolls-Royce designers exhibited eight artworks charting the evolution of Phantom
Phantom V, a famous example of the nameplate, driven in the opening parade
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 this exceptional location, we are proud to make the public debut of Phantom Goldfinger, a remarkable expression of our Bespoke capabilities and a powerful tribute to a film cherished by the client. To have the original 1937 model, which featured in the film and inspired this motor car, displayed at the event makes this moment even more special. Presenting these exquisite Phantoms and original artworks created by our designers in tribute to the nameplate in its centenary year is a fitting celebration of our pinnacle motor car.” – Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the 100th anniversary of Phantom, the marque’s most famous nameplate, at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Italy, on 24 May 2025.
Rolls-Royce chose this exclusive gathering for the worldwide public debut of Phantom Goldfinger, presented on the Grand Hotel’s renowned Mosaic Lawn on the shore of Lake Como. The striking one-of-one Phantom Extended pays homage to the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger – one of twelve Rolls-Royce appearances in the 007 film franchise.
Revealed in 2024, the film’s 60th anniversary year, the motor car takes inspiration from the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville owned by the title’s eponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger, which was also shown at the event. The story of this motor car and the film is masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger, which includes 18- and 24-carat gold detailing, cinematic references, and intricate storytelling elements inspired by the film’s characters, locations and themes.
Further celebrating the centenary of Phantom, an exhibition of eight original artworks charted the evolution of Phantom’s design, and the world it has both inhabited and shaped over the past 100 years. Designers at Goodwood created the series, each capturing a different Phantom generation in the artistic style of its era. The settings of each piece also reflect the influence Phantom has exerted over its ten decades, and the many roles it has played and guises it has assumed.
Guests and media from around the world also witnessed the gathering’s opening parade, which included an immaculately presented example of Phantom V. This celebrated generation of the marque’s flagship motor car has been owned and loved by some of the most significant cultural and political figures in modern history, a reminder of Phantom’s role as a symbol of power, influence, and leadership.
Amid a year of heightened cultural and luxury activity across Italy, the debut of Phantom Goldfinger and the celebration of Phantom’s centenary at the event became a defining expression of Bespoke artistry and enduring cultural significance. This moment reflects not only Phantom’s remarkable legacy but also its ongoing power to inspire, captivate and lead as it enters a new century.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger, a one-of-one masterpiece
Incorporates some of the most extensively engineered and hand-crafted Bespoke features ever produced
Celebrates sixty years of the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger
References Auric Goldfinger’s 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville
Solid 18-carat gold bar in the shape of a ‘Speedform’ exhibited in centre console
Picnic tables include fictional map of Fort Knox bullion reserve in 22-carat gold inlay
Three-dimensional steel and gold Gallery incorporates isoline map of legendary Furka Pass
Starlight Headliner matches constellation above Furka during filming of scene in 1964
Gold golf club fitted to boot lid, referencing 007 and Auric Goldfinger’s first encounter
Harlequin umbrellas and 007 logo projector reference key film moments
[source: Rolls-Royce]
“At Rolls-Royce, we are dedicated to crafting deeply personal masterpieces that reshape the boundaries of possibility and truly define the essence of luxury. Each creation is a reflection of our commitment to producing extraordinary, unique motor cars that consistently delight and exceed the expectations of our clients. This particular project really invigorated our team of creatives, giving them the freedom to explore the reaches of their imagination. The final creation is a testament to the power of collaboration and the extraordinary ability of our designers, craftspeople, and engineers.” Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
“Witnessing how our Bespoke Collective seized upon the idea of celebrating 60 years of the film has been truly remarkable; this fantastic story has been masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger’s exquisite design. The creativity extended far beyond the making of the motor car, as we curated extraordinary experiences for the client and their family, all while staying true to the spirit of the Goldfinger theme. It is this exceptional ability to engage our clients and create lasting impressions that defines us as a true House of Luxury.” Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
“This is gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I’ve been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness.” Auric Goldfinger, Auric Enterprises
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a one-of-one Phantom Extended that pays homage to the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger – one of twelve Rolls-Royce appearances in the 007 film franchise. Revealed in the film’s 60th anniversary year, it takes inspiration from the 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville owned by theeponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger. This story is masterfully explored in Phantom Goldfinger, with exquisite and ingenious Bespoke features linking to the plot and iconography of this enduring film.
Phantom Goldfinger incorporates some of the most extensively engineered Bespoke features applied to a one-of-one motor car in Rolls-Royce history, each linking to the Goldfinger film plot. A total of three years of continuous development was required to bring each of these elegant and playful Bespoke features to life – from a complex sculptural Gallery, inspired by the famous scene filmed on the Furka Pass, to a gold golf putter mounted to the inside of the motor car’s boot, recalling the club used by Auric Goldfinger during his first encounter with James Bond.
2024 PHANTOM EXTENDED ‘GOLDFINGER’: EXTERIOR For the exterior of this contemporary tribute to Goldfinger’s motor car, Rolls-Royce paint specialists precisely matched the exterior yellow hue to the original 1937 Phantom III Sedanca de Ville used in the film. A unique ‘long-side’ two-tone design was developed in which the black finish wraps around the motor car’s generous coachwork as a single, uninterrupted graphic. The 21-inch disc wheels are finished in Black with silver ‘floating’ hubcaps, creating a tone-on-tone effect that recalls the wheel design of the 1937 motor car as seen in the film.
The Spirit of Ecstasy at the prow of Phantom Goldfinger has been given a unique finish, subtly referencing the motion picture’s plot. In the film, the villain Auric Goldfinger was smuggling gold in body panels of his Phantom. As a nod to this concept, sections of the figurine appear to reveal gold underneath, suggesting it is made of solid gold, concealed with a silver coat. Since it is not possible to silver-plate gold, Rolls-Royce specialists used a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy and skilfully gold-plated it with 18-carat gold to achieve the ‘gold reveal’ effect.
INTERIOR: HIDDEN GOLD In honour of the Goldfinger film, the Bespoke Collective of designers, engineers, and artisans within Rolls-Royce developed several highly complex details and features that incorporate 18- and 24-carat gold. One such feat is the hidden vault created in the centre console between the front seats. The area was re-engineered to house an illuminated solid 18-carat gold bar, shaped as a Phantom ‘Speedform’ – a stylised representation of the motor car’s design in miniature.
The base of the front and rear centre consoles is also lined with an exquisite gold finish, as is the inside of the glovebox. The inner lid of the glovebox is also debossed with Goldfinger’s iconic quote: “This is Gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I have been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness.”
The air vents and ‘organ stops’ throughout the motor car also have a lustrous gold finish. The speaker frets are given the same finish and inscribed with the film’s title treatment. The treadplates, designed to look like the gold bars that feature Goldfinger, are gold-plated and embossed using the same font developed for the film in 1964. The 24-carat gold-plated VIN plaque is engraved with a specially obtained vehicle identification number, which ends in 007.
FURKA PASS GALLERY The Bespoke artwork installed in Phantom’s Gallery, which runs the full width of the front fascia, is the true centrepiece of the motor car. The three-dimensional design, which was hand-drawn, is a precise yet artistic isoline map that shows the contours of the Furka Pass; in the film 007 is seen on this legendary road, discreetly following Auric Goldfinger to his smelting plant in the Swiss Alps. The stainless steel used to construct the piece was darkened using a method named physical vapour deposition. Contour lines and elevation figures are engraved into the dark substrate, exposing the bright metal beneath. The Furka Pass is cut out from the stainless-steel layer, revealing a gilded surface underneath.
This highly complex feature required a year of painstaking development, in which the Bespoke Collective produced ten complete prototypes to perfect the design. The Bespoke clock surround at the centre of the artwork is inspired by the instantly recognisable ‘gun barrel’ sequence which has been featured in every James Bond film since Dr. No (1962).
FURKA PASS STARLIGHT HEADLINER The motor car pays another subtle tribute to the memorable Furka Pass scene. The marque’s Bespoke Collective designed the Starlight Headliner of Phantom Goldfinger to perfectly reflect the constellations as they were positioned over the Furka Pass on 11 July 1964 – the last day of filming the scene in Switzerland. 719 ‘stars’, which glow with a subtle gold hue, are surrounded by a further eight ‘shooting stars’ – all individually placed by hand.
PICNIC TABLE INLAY: THE MAP TO GOLD RESERVES The Royal Walnut picnic tables are adorned with a 22-carat gold inlay with a depth of only 0.1 mm, which feature a fictional map of Fort Knox, the bullion depository where the United States’ gold reserves are stored. The design, which took six months to finalise and was developed over three prototypes, incorporates key locations including Gold Vault Road, Bullion Boulevard, and the Bullion Depository that Goldfinger plans to attack in ‘Operation Grand Slam’.
INTERIOR COLOURWAY: GOLD STANDARD Phantom Goldfinger is finished in Navy leather and Royal Walnut veneer, selected as an elegant and refined canvas to showcase the gold detailing, inspired by the interior colourway of the original motor car. The seating, which includes reclining Serenity Seating in the rear suite, is subtly elevated with gold stitching, gold-coloured ‘bullets’ to cap the seat piping sections, and headrests that incorporate gold ‘RR’ monograms.
EXQUISITE DETAILS James Bond’s initial encounter with Goldfinger takes place at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, UK, where 007 challenges him to a round of golf. Goldfinger uses a gold putter, which is safely guarded by his henchman, Oddjob. For the 2024 Phantom Goldfinger, the gold-plated putter has been recreated and mounted on the underside of the boot lid. The club is adorned with a specially designed ‘AG’ monogram, inspired by the engraving on the signet ring worn by Goldfinger on-screen.
Later, while alone with Goldfinger’s Phantom III, Bond places a Q Branch-issued tracking device on the motor car, which he uses to follow the villain across Europe. To acknowledge this, the Bespoke Collective developed a device, inspired by the original gadget, that subtly projects the 007 logo onto the carpet of the luggage compartment floor whenever the lid is opened.
During the Stoke Park scene, Bond is nearly caught interfering with the Phantom III by Oddjob, who loads Goldfinger’s golf clubs and a harlequin umbrella into the boot. For the 2024 Phantom Goldfinger, the umbrellas that fit into the motor car’s rear doors have been finished in the same red, blue, green, and yellow colours.
As a finishing touch, the prized British numberplate ‘AU 1’, which graced the Goldfinger Phantom III in the film, has been secured — a reference to the chemical symbol for gold on the periodic table of elements. This will remain with Phantom Goldfinger, which has now been delivered to a significant Rolls-Royce client and collector based in England.
“Bringing Phantom Goldfinger into being was one of the Bespoke Collective’s greatest creative journeys to date. The elegant and whimsical features that reference the film’s most memorable moments are an exquisite demonstration of the power of Bespoke in adding a new chapter to an existing story. It was a privilege to be a part of the creative team that brought this highly sought-after collector’s piece to life.” Nick Rhodes, Bespoke Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: AURIC GOLDFINGER AND HIS 1937 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III Rolls-Royce motor cars have featured in a dozen James Bond films throughout the film franchise’s history. However, the marque’s most enduring and memorable role is in the 007 film, Goldfinger.
The film sees eponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger, driven across Europe by his henchman, Oddjob, in an exquisite 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville. The coachwork of this imperious motor car holds a secret – it is made from two tonnes of solid 18-carat gold, which Goldfinger is smuggling from England, across the continent and over the challenging Furka Pass into Switzerland. Once safely installed in Auric Enterprises, he uses his alpine smelting plant to disassemble his Rolls-Royce, melting down the body panels into gold bars. With the original coachwork replaced, he returns his motor car to England and repeats this nefarious crossing.
Goldfinger’s ultimate master plan, named ‘Operation Grand Slam’, is far more ambitious; he plans to irradiate the gold stored in the Fort Knox Bullion Depository with an atomic device, rendering it worthless, thereby driving the value of his own reserves into the stratosphere.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION Phantom Extended: NEDCcorr (combined): CO2 emissions: 345 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.1 ltr/100 km / 18.7 mpg. WLTP (combined): CO2emissions: 362-348 g/km; Fuel consumption: 15.9-15.2 ltr/100 km / 17.7-18.6 mpg. Further information: https://bit.ly/3XtQW7q
ABOUT ROLLS-ROYCE Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a true luxury house, creating the world’s most recognised, revered and desirable handcrafted Bespoke products for its international clientele.
There are over 2,500 people working at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. This comprises both its global headquarters and Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence – the only place in the world where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed, engineered and meticulously built by hand. An independent study by the London School of Economics & Political Science confirms that since the company first launched at Goodwood in 2003, it has contributed more than £4 billion to the UK economy and adds more than £500 million in economic value every year.
House of Q by Aston Martin opens in Burlington Arcade, London, celebrating 60 years of Goldfinger – the first James Bond film to feature the iconic DB5
Visitors to the experience will discover the subterranean world of Q
Secret Champagne Bollinger bar runs from 18 July until 4 August
[source: Aston Martin]
Gaydon, UK – The House of Q, a new pop-up experience by Aston Martin inside London’s prestigious Burlington Arcade, has been created to celebrate 60 years of Aston Martin’s long-running association with the 007 film franchise. The relationship began with the 1964 release of Goldfinger, the film which introduced James Bond to the now iconic DB5.
Launched alongside V57, a special James Bond anniversary edition of Aston Martin’s luxury lifestyle magazine, the House of Q by Aston Martin is accessed through a secret door within what appears to be a magazine newsstand inside House 12-13 Burlington Arcade, off Piccadilly in London’s Mayfair. V57 features a specially designed illustration on the cover as well as editorial detailing the relationship between Aston Martin and 007.
Covert messages will lead guests through a secret door. Visiting agents will then discover a speakeasy bar serving Champagne Bollinger. The bar is adorned with technical drawings and parts from the original DB5 with sketches, diagrams and schematics from the archives of both Aston Martin and EON Productions. On display is a top-secret Q flight case, along with hints at a future Aston Martin model, for those able to uncover it.
Often described as “the most famous car in the world”, the DB5 is the car that established Aston Martin as one of Britain’s most desirable luxury brands, quickly becoming the ultimate status symbol of the Swinging Sixties. First launched in September 1963, DB5 had a potent 4.0-litre engine and a top speed exceeding 150mph. Its styling, courtesy of Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, created a sophisticated design, which when matched with its performance produced a car that people dreamed of owning. When DB5 was chosen to be in Goldfinger, laden with gadgets to help Bond fight his arch-enemy Auric Goldfinger, its iconic status was sealed forever.
Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin, said: “Aston Martin and James Bond are two British icons, forever linked. We are delighted to be celebrating this important 60th anniversary throughout 2024, marking the continuation of what is cinema’s longest running and most successful product placement.
“The House of Q by Aston Martin provides something very special for our community of Aston Martin customers, enthusiasts, and fans of 007 to enjoy. We encourage everyone to join us on an immersive entry into the world of Bond and Aston Martin, celebrating our unique history with the films, spanning back to Goldfinger.”
The Bond theme is carried into every detail at the House of Q by Aston Martin where guests will see the original Goldfinger script, film posters and set photography. Sound is delivered by the stunning audio of Bowers & Wilkins, a brand with an enduring relationship with the music of Bond.
Guests may also head upstairs where they will discover the Configurator Lab. This will provide the opportunity for customers to work with Aston Martin design experts to configure their perfect Aston Martin.
The House of Q will host daily events, including design workshops hosted by the Aston Martin design and engineering teams.
From Burlington Arcade’s inception in 1819, it has positioned itself as an exclusive shopping destination for luxury brands. The prime location of the Arcade is parallel to Bond Street and has an entry via Piccadilly. Today the arcade is home to 47 brands specialising in accessories focused on watches, jewellery. leather goods, shoes and cashmere.
Trupti Shah, Commercial Director Burlington Arcade commented: ‘’Burlington Arcade is thrilled to be jointly celebrating this milestone year for James Bond and Aston Martin. The continued partnership between our brands is extremely exciting and we are honoured to be the landmark destination capturing this iconic moment in cinema history.’’
The House of Q by Aston Martin opens to the public on Thursday 18 July and can be found at House 12-13, Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, London W1J 0QJ. It will remain in Burlington Arcade until Sunday 4 August.
About Aston Martin Lagonda: Aston Martin’s vision is to be the world’s most desirable, ultra-luxury British brand, creating the most exquisitely addictive performance cars.
Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford, Aston Martin is acknowledged as an iconic global brand synonymous with style, luxury, performance, and exclusivity. Aston Martin fuses the latest technology, time honoured craftsmanship and beautiful styling to produce a range of critically acclaimed luxury models including the Vantage, DB12, DBS, DBX and its first hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Aligned with its Racing. Green. sustainability strategy, Aston Martin is also developing alternatives to the internal combustion engine, with an ambition to create the world’s most thrilling and highly desirable electric performance cars, the first of which is targeted for launch in 2025.
Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates, and exports cars which are sold in 56 countries around the world. Its sports cars are manufactured in Gaydon with its luxury DBX SUV range proudly manufactured in St Athan, Wales. The company is on track to deliver net-zero manufacturing facilities by 2030.
Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown, and the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange as Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc.
2020 saw Lawrence Stroll become the company’s Executive Chairman, alongside significant new investment, a move that led to Aston Martin’s return to the pinnacle of motorsport with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One™ Team and commenced new era for the iconic British marque.
About EON: EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/ Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company that has made the James Bond films since 1962 and together with Danjaq controls all worldwide merchandising. For more information, visit 007.com & 007Store.com.
About Burlington Arcade Burlington Arcade opened on 20th March 1819 “for the sale of jewellery and fancy articles of fashionable demand, for the gratification of the public.” Today it is recognised as one of London’s most iconic landmarks and provides a unique outdoor but covered retail experience within a historical 205-year-old property. Situated in the heart of Mayfair, the 196-yard arcade runs from Piccadilly through to Burlington Gardens, parallel to Bond Street, and is home to Luxury Accessories, Watch and Jewellery brands. The portfolio includes a mix of vintage and new, combining heritage luxury with emerging brands, that share a passion for craftsmanship.
Similarly iconic, the Beadles, originally recruited to safeguard the arcade and its customers, are the oldest and smallest police force in Britain. They welcome over four million visitors a year and continue to impose the rules laid down by the original Beadles, so whistling, running, riding a bicycle, or ‘behaving boisterously’ are forbidden. The two lucky people granted special permission to whistle are Sir Paul McCartney and Jayden, a schoolboy who was promised a license to whistle if he achieved a good school report. For more information, please visit: www.burlingtonarcade.com
