Rolls-Royce marks 60th anniversary of ‘Goldfinger’ Phantom – Automotive Blog
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film, Goldfinger, which featured an iconic 1937 Phantom III.
The film sees eponymous villain, Auric Goldfinger, driven by his henchman, Oddjob, across Europe in the famous two-tone yellow and black car, which was the first V12-powered Rolls-Royce in history, producing 165bhp from its 7.3-litre engine.
The coachwork of this Phantom III 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 Phantom III is equipped with an open front and enclosed rear ‘Sedanca de Ville’ – or Town Car – body by coachbuilders Barker.
“The 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville used in the film is both the perfect accomplice for its villain, Auric Goldfinger, and an enduring muse within our brand,” said Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
“The model used also holds a special place in the Rolls-Royce canon as it was the final motor car personally developed by our visionary founder, Sir Henry Royce. I look forward to announcing a brilliant new chapter in this story imminently.”
