To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the classic James Bond film Goldfinger, Rolls-Royce has created a one-of-a-kind Phantom that echoes the luxurious, villainous flair of the film’s iconic antagonist, Auric Goldfinger. This unique vehicle is inspired by the 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III driven by Oddjob, Goldfinger’s infamous chauffeur, and showcases a mesmerizing blend of modern design with lavish nods to its cinematic predecessor. The car captures Goldfinger’s lifelong obsession with gold, a tribute to the line he delivers to Bond, “All my life, I’ve been in love with its color, its brilliance, its divine heaviness.”
The design journey for the Phantom Goldfinger began with Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke division, helmed by Nick Rhodes, who spent three years crafting this golden homage. After consulting with EON Productions, the company behind the James Bond franchise, the team studied the original Phantom III in detail. However, they opted for a contemporary interpretation, not a mere replica. The Phantom Goldfinger features a two-tone paint job that matches the vibrant yellow of the 1937 version with contrasting black on its upper surfaces. Complemented by 21-inch black disc wheels and silver hubcaps, the car embodies a sleek yet powerful aesthetic.
The golden touches don’t stop at the paint. Inside, the Phantom’s air vents, organ stops, and speaker grilles are finished in gold. Its dashboard gallery boasts a hand-drawn isoline map of Switzerland’s Furka Pass, where Bond tracks Goldfinger in the film. The centerpiece of this gallery is an analog clock inspired by Bond’s iconic gun-barrel sequence, adding a layer of timeless sophistication. Embedded in the glove box is the memorable line from Goldfinger, etched in gold, along with walnut picnic tables inlaid with a fictional map of Fort Knox—another nod to the film’s central plot.
A surprise awaits inside the car’s center console: an illuminated, 18-carat gold bar modeled after the Phantom’s silhouette, hidden within a vault-like compartment. The ceiling is adorned with Rolls-Royce’s Starlight Headliner, replicating the starry night sky over the Furka Pass during the final day of filming in Switzerland in 1964. Outside, the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament has been plated with 18-carat gold to capture the opulence synonymous with both Rolls-Royce and Auric Goldfinger.
Mechanically, the Rolls-Royce Phantom retains its 571-hp, 6.75-liter V-12 engine, taking it from zero to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds. Complete with the “AU 1” license plate from the movie, this Phantom Goldfinger is a timeless masterpiece, blending Bond nostalgia with modern luxury.
