To mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary Phantom, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled what it proudly calls the most intricate woodwork ever created in its history. This exclusive Private Collection of just 25 cars showcases an extraordinary level of craftsmanship, debuting three techniques never before used by the marque — 3D marquetry, 3D ink layering, and 24-carat gold leafing. Each car represents a century of design evolution and artistry, merging tradition with innovation in a way only Rolls-Royce can.
The centenary of the Phantom is more than just a milestone; it is a celebration of how the car has defined luxury motoring across generations. For this occasion, the marque’s designers, engineers, and artisans pushed their creative and technical limits, blending hand-drawn sketches, digital design, and cutting-edge production methods. The result is a collection of interior artworks inspired by journeys, landscapes, and the moments that have shaped the Phantom’s enduring legacy.
The standout feature of this collection is the interior door panels, which Rolls-Royce describes as the most complex ever crafted in its history. Each door took an entire year to complete, with every surface narrating a part of the Phantom’s story. The design combines geographical maps, floral motifs, and visual nods to historic Phantom models, all expressed through Blackwood veneer. This material was selected for its rich depth and distinctive grain, offering a dynamic visual texture that shifts subtly under different lighting conditions.
The process required the use of some of the largest veneer sheets ever produced for a Rolls-Royce. These were cut and pieced together like an elaborate mosaic, with each section positioned to ensure the wood grain interacts with light in a specific way. The result is an ever-changing surface that reveals new details from different angles. Even the speaker grilles were integrated directly into the veneer through precision milling, creating an uninterrupted, seamless aesthetic that elevates the cabin’s sense of calm and refinement.
Every design element within the door panels tells its story through varying depths of laser etching. The etchings, executed at three distinct levels, create an interplay of light and shadow that gives the surface a living, sculptural quality. Deeper etchings appear darker and more dramatic, while lighter, untouched areas reflect light and add brightness. This craftsmanship transforms the wood from a simple trim element into a layered visual narrative celebrating a century of Phantom excellence.
To complement the engraved textures, Rolls-Royce has introduced a newly developed 3D ink layering technique — a process where fine ink patterns are built up in raised layers directly on the veneer surface. The result is strikingly detailed and tactile, giving the artwork remarkable definition and depth. Alongside it, the 3D marquetry technique brings sculptural motifs to life, allowing delicate elements to rise subtly from the surface. Some of these are further engraved and enhanced with ink detailing, producing a tactile, three-dimensional effect that can be felt as much as it can be seen.
Adding to the sense of artistry, Rolls-Royce has, for the first time, incorporated gilding into its interiors. Using 24-carat gold leaf, the craftsmen applied microscopic squares — each only 0.1 micrometres thick — to trace symbolic lines across the wooden panels. These lines represent key roads and journeys taken by the Phantom over the past century, transforming each car into a rolling tribute to the marque’s heritage. The delicate gold leaf is then sealed beneath a gloss finish to preserve its lustre and ensure long-lasting protection.
The introduction of gold leafing required five artisans from Rolls-Royce’s Interior Surface Centre to undergo specialist training at West Dean College in West Sussex. The skill involved in applying such fine material to meet the brand’s demanding durability and finish standards is a testament to the brand’s unwavering pursuit of perfection.
This Private Collection marks a new era in Rolls-Royce craftsmanship, where the traditions of cabinet-making and fine art meet digital precision and technical mastery. The Phantom has long symbolised the pinnacle of automotive luxury, and this centenary collection ensures that legacy continues.
The 25-car series will be officially revealed later this year, serving as both a tribute to the Phantom’s hundred-year journey and a bold statement of what lies ahead for Rolls-Royce design. In an age of automation, this collection stands as proof that craftsmanship, when pushed to its limits, remains the truest expression of luxury.
