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60 Years Of Goldfinger Phantom: Celebrating A Timeless Rolls-Royce Legacy In James Bond History
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is marking a significant milestone with the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film, Goldfinger. The 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, featured in the movie, played a key role for the villain Auric Goldfinger. This model was the last developed by Henry Royce before his passing in 1933 and was the first V12-powered Phantom.
The Phantom III's cinematic debut in Goldfinger remains one of its most memorable appearances. The film premiered on 17 September 1964 and showcased the car's unique features. Its design and performance made it an ideal choice for Goldfinger's gold-smuggling operations across Europe.
Auric Goldfinger's scheme involved smuggling gold using his Phantom III, which had coachwork made from two tonnes of solid 18-carat gold. He transported this precious cargo from England to Switzerland, where he melted it down into bars at his alpine smelting plant. This allowed him to return to England with a reassembled car and repeat the process.
Goldfinger's ultimate plan, 'Operation Grand Slam,' aimed to irradiate Fort Knox's gold reserves with an atomic device. This would devalue them, increasing the worth of his own stockpile significantly. The Phantom III's spacious design allowed for substantial contraband concealment without affecting its performance on challenging roads.
The Phantom III boasted several innovations that aided Goldfinger's smuggling runs. It featured adjustable hydraulic shock absorbers controlled from the driver's seat, allowing for ride adjustments based on load. Its powerful 7.3-litre engine produced 165bhp, a significant improvement over its predecessor.
The specific car used in Goldfinger had a 'Sedanca de Ville' body by Barker, with an open front and enclosed rear. Its imposing presence caught even James Bond's attention during a scene at Stoke Park, where Bond remarked on its beauty as Oddjob loaded Goldfinger’s belongings into the boot.
Historical Significance and Legacy
The numberplate 'AU 1' on Goldfinger’s Phantom III referenced gold’s chemical symbol but originally denoted Nottingham registration in 1901. After its film role, this numberplate was transferred to other Rolls-Royce cars. Initially commissioned for Lord Fairhaven of Anglesey Abbey, this Phantom III was painted black with distinctive features before being modified for its film appearance.
On 25 October at 14:00 BST, Rolls-Royce will unveil a new chapter in the story of 'AU 1', furthering its legacy within both Rolls-Royce history and the James Bond franchise.
"This is gold, Mr. Bond. All my life, I've been in love with its colour, its brilliance, its divine heaviness," said Auric Goldfinger in the film.
Chris Brownridge, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars stated: "Today marks the 60th anniversary of Phantom’s most memorable big-screen debut in the 1964 James Bond film, Goldfinger... I look forward to announcing a brilliant new chapter in this story imminently."
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