Rolls-Royce is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Bond with the Phantom Goldfinger - a car that is not just a vehicle, but a work of art, dressed in gold and equipped with details from the legendary film. But what is it that elevates this masterpiece beyond all expectations?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has released the 2024 Phantom Goldfinger, a beautiful tribute to the film's golden anniversary Goldfinger (1964), where a real beauty on four wheels became famous - the 1937 Phantom III Sedan de Ville. This iconic Phantom was owned by the infamous Auric Goldfinger, a criminal with quite a sense of style, who was seduced into the film world by Sean Connery as agent 007. Today, 60 years later, Phantom Goldfinger brings back the spirit of that cinematic elegance and brings some extra gold to the scene.
Gold from floor to roof – literally
Although gold is usually associated with jewelry and wealth, it takes on an entirely new role in Phantom Goldfinger. The interior is a real golden treasure, literally. 18 carat gold it is woven into the base of the front and rear consoles, and the gold frame even adorns the interior of the glove boxes and the secret safe in the center console between the seats. The air vents, speakers and handbrake are adorned with gold accents, while the door sills feature gold bars in the shape of gold bars embossed with the name Goldfinger.
And as if gold wasn't enough, this car also has it 24 carat gold plate with an identification number ending in magic numbers 007. Rolls-Royce has provided the perfect Bond touch – the gold bar, which depicts the car in miniature form, stands as the centerpiece of the interior, attracting attention with every glance.
Furkapass in wooden form and 719 stars on the ceiling
Stretching across Goldfinger's front console is hand-crafted artwork that displays Furka Pass map – the iconic filming locations for the scene in which Bond chases Goldfinger through snowy alpine roads. The map is engraved with a relief line of the route, and the stainless steel metal frame uses special processes that allow for a striking contrast of light and dark lines.
And to completely conjure up the night sky over Furka Pass, they sprinkled the ceiling of the car with kar 719 shining stars, surrounded by eight specially added “snapshots” that are individually placed. This light show provides a real star explosion and gives a sense of magic that is revealed only at night.
Reference to 1965: Golf club, umbrella and secret 007 logo
Lovers James Bond will immediately notice some hidden references to the 1965 film Goldfinger. For example, the golden golf club in the trunk - a reminder of the golf match Bond plays with Goldfinger at the estate Stoke Park. The bar is adorned with the AG monogram, modeled after the one worn by Goldfinger on his ring. In addition, the trunk hides another interesting detail - a projection of the 007 logo that appears on the carpet when you open it. A real cinematic effect, like from Q's workshop!
Of course, they didn't forget about Bond's famous umbrellas. Inspired by the scene where Oddjob (Goldfinger's loyal sidekick) loads up Goldfinger's canes and colorful umbrellas, Phantom Goldfinger also comes equipped with umbrellas in four different colors – red, blue, green and yellow – stowed in the back door.
Gold exterior and magical “AU1” license plate
The exterior of the Phantom Goldfinger retains the classic yellow and black two-tone scheme of 1937, but this time with a modern twist. A gloss black finish hugs the car's body in a rich yellow hue, while 21-inch black wheels with floating silver center caps accentuate the retro aesthetic. A figurine reigns on the front Spirit of Ecstasy, which reveals the golden glow beneath the layer of silver – a genius trick, as Rolls-Royce experts explain that the silver layer can never be properly added to the gold. But what's more cinematic than a good trick?
To top it all off, Phantom has Goldfinger license plate “AU1” – the gold symbol that adds the final touch of movie magic. The first model of Phantom Goldfinger has already found its owner - an English collector who is certainly one of the lucky few who can keep a car surrounded by so much film symbolism and luxury in his garage.
Conclusion: More than a car, a film icon
Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger is a true collector's item where film nostalgia and ultimate luxury meet. This car is not just a Phantom, but a symbol of the golden age of cinema and the timeless elegance of Rolls-Royce. For all those who would like to own something truly unique - the Phantom Goldfinger delivers just that, with the added value of golden luster and historical weight. If you're mesmerized by the combination of classic styling and modern innovation, then you've found your holy grail, although for the average mortal, it's just a dream car that can only be admired from afar.
The price? Well, like any true Bond relic, the price is only available to the few, but worth every euro.
