These Rolls-Royce Phantoms Are All About the Gold

Take for example Hong Kong real estate entrepreneur Stephen Hung who ordered 30 Phantoms that will be used at The 13 hotel in Macau - considered by many to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the world with investments totaling in excess of $1 billion. Two of these Phantoms stand out as they are infused with 24-karat gold inside and out.

The exteriors have a 40-micron deep layer of gold, combined with glass and aluminum for an alluring shimmer. To pull this off, Rolls-Royce had to install new equipment at the Surface Finish Centre (part of the Rolls-Royce Global Centre of Excellence in Goodwood) to make sure no contamination would happen during the painting process. The two Phantoms also have more paint, about 250 percent more than the standard Phantom. Again, this is to help with the protection of the gold layer.

The front grille, Rolls-Royce emblem, and Spirit of Ecstasy come plated with 24-carat gold. The emblem also gets 336 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Moving inside, gold thread is used in the starlight headliner to depict the Macau constellation. A gold plaque engraved with the date and location help create a connection between the vehicle and The 13 hotel.

“A Rolls-Royce motor car is commissioned to express the tastes, desires and lifestyle of its patron. It is testament to the skill of the artisans that so elegantly express their craft at our Global Centre of Excellence in Goodwood, that this bold and technically challenging design scheme has been executed so perfectly,” said Giles Taylor, Director of Design for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Rolls-Royce notes that the 30 Phantoms is the single largest commission in the history of the company.

Pic Credit: Rolls-Royce