New Rolls-Royce Phantom to Debut in July Among Its Predecessors

The British automaker is getting ready to unveil the eighth-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom.

In anticipation of the next-generation model’s debut on July 27, the British automaker is unveiling eight limited edition Phantoms from around the globe.

The first special Phantom was previously owned by legendary actor, singer, and dancer Fred Astaire. Astaire was actually the second owner of the 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom, having the body updated around 1932 by the famous New York Coachbuilder J.S. Inskip. The vehicle remained in Astaire’s possession until 1950 and was often used in London, New York, and Los Angeles.

When the vehicle was updated by Inskip, the fashionable New York agents incorporated many bespoke 1930s features that the car still retains, such as scalloped wood door fillets also repeated on the dash, in the rear compartment, and even on the front scuttle cover. There are also the special Inskip stylized door handles and more enveloping front fenders.

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It wasn’t until 1950 that the Phantom was purchased by its next owner and in its present ownership, it has been meticulously refurbished. The chauffeur’s compartment is upholstered in dark green leather, while the passengers get to enjoy sumptuous green brocade on the seating, along with a matching pair of cushions. In true luxury fashion, the 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom also has “his and hers” English Silver vanity units, tumblers and flask, and clothes brushes. The rear compartment has been appointed with silver posy holders and a pair of unusual walking sticks, one that is fitted with a single telescope, while the other has opera glasses.

On the outside, it has been refinished in the original Brewster Green livery with black wings and a black leather roof. The car also features an “A” monogram on the passenger doors, front scuttle, and trunk, to identify its former owner. A nice touch is the extremely rare Louis Vuitton motoring trunk, carrying a top hat, white bow tie and leather gloves, a black cane with silver cigarette lighter, cuff and collar boxes, a Turnbull & Asser silk scarf for evening use, a leather covered flask, a “tea-for-two” picnic set, and both dancing and tap shoes. To reflect Fred Astaire’s passion for sports are a period tennis racket, cricket bat, and shooting sticks. There’s also a secret locker that reveals a full set of period golf clubs, while beneath the trunk is a compartment with a fully-equipped tool drawer.

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