Rolls-Royce commemorates 60th anniversary of Goldfinger with one-of-a-kind Phantom
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film adaptation Goldfinger, Rolls-Royce has produced a limited edition of one. Based on a long-wheelbase Phantom, several elements and tricks refer to the film as well as to the car of antagonist Auric Goldfinger.
The brand's specialists studied the 1937 Phantom III Secanda de Ville featured in the film to reproduce the same shade of yellow. A black finish adorns the rest of the body, while the 21” black wheels are finished with floating silver hubcaps - reminiscent of the car's 1937 wheels.
Emblematic of the brand, the Spirit of Ecstasy has been given a finish that references the plot of the film. As a reminder, Auric Goldfinger smuggled gold into the body panels of his Phantom. As a wink, sections of the figurine appear to reveal gold underneath, suggesting that it is solid gold, concealed by a layer of silver.
A golden interior
The interior features other details incorporating 18- or 24-carat gold. One of these is the hidden arch in the center console between the front seats. The bases of the front and rear center consoles are also finished in gold, as are the air vents, speakers and interior of the glove compartment.
The inner lid is also engraved with Goldfinger's iconic quote: “ This is Gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I have been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness. ”
The sill plates, designed to resemble the gold ingots depicting Goldfinger, are gold-plated and embossed using the same typeface developed for the film in 1964. The VIN plate is engraved with a specially obtained vehicle identification number, ending in 007.
More tips and details
The dashboard features a three-dimensional, hand-crafted design that reproduces the contours of the Furka Pass. In the film, Agent 007 is seen on this road, discreetly pursuing Goldfinger to his foundry in the Swiss Alps. Next to it, the clock is encircled by a backdrop reminiscent of the rifled gun barrel following Bond, before he turns to the camera to fire.
On the back, the tables are adorned with a 22-carat gold inlay 0.1 mm deep. The motif reproduces a fictional map of Ford Knox - the bullion depository where the United States' gold reserves are stored. You'll notice that it incorporates key locations, including Gold Vault Road, Bullion Boulevard and the Bullion Depository that Goldfinger plans to attack as part of “Operation Grand Slam”.
James Bond's first encounter with Goldfinger takes place at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, UK, where 007 challenges him to a round of golf. Goldfinger uses a gold-plated putter, which is safely guarded by his sidekick, Oddjob. The gold-plated putter has been recreated and mounted under the lid of the safe. The club features an “AG” monogram, inspired by the engraving on the signet ring worn by Goldfinger.
Finally, the Phantom Goldfinger Edition will be plated “AU 1”, like the one found in the film. The vehicle has been sold and delivered to a British customer and collector.
