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Rolls-Royce Recreates Legendary Pool Stunt for Phantom’s 100th Anniversary
Rolls-Royce has recreated one of rock music's most famous automotive myths to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its flagship limo, the Phantom. A retired Phantom Extended prototype was lowered into the historic Tinside Lido in Plymouth, a stunt inspired by the long-told story involving The Who's drummer, Keith Moon.
According to the legend, Moon drove a Rolls-Royce into a hotel swimming pool during his 21st birthday celebrations. Over the years, the details of the story have changed, with Moon later insisting it was actually a Lincoln Continental, while other accounts suggest no car ever entered the water at all.
Instead of risking a brand-new model, Rolls-Royce used a Phantom Extended body shell that had been retired from duty and was originally headed for recycling. The shell was gently lowered by crane onto a submerged platform in the lido, ensuring the water line sat just above the wheels to recreate that rock-and-roll visual.
The choice of location carried its own significance. Tinside Lido, with its Art Deco design, is a well-known landmark in Plymouth, Englan and has a history tied to music culture. The Beatles famously posed there in 1967 while filming Magical Mystery Tour, and the connection between Rolls-Royce and music has long been cemented through John Lennon's famous yellow Phantom V.
Speaking about the tribute, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO Chris Brownridge noted, "From the Golden Age of Hollywood to the rise of hip-hop, over the last 100 years, music artists have used Phantom to project their identity and challenge convention. Their motor cars often became icons in their own right, with a lasting place in the history of modern music. This enduring connection reminds us that Rolls-Royce and the extraordinary people who are part of the marque's story are united by one ambition: to make their presence felt."
The Phantom's association with famous names in music is extensive. Famous musical owners have included John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Snoop Dogg, and Pharrell Williams, among many others. Their choice of the Phantom underlined the car's reputation as both a symbol of status and a reflection of personality, a tradition this centenary stunt has once again highlighted.
The recreated stunt also echoes a previous cultural reference when Oasis (who recently reformed to go on tour) used a Phantom partly submerged in water on one of their album covers. Rolls-Royce's centenary celebration adds to that legacy, using one of its most recognisable models to mark a century of influence and storytelling that continues to surround the Phantom.
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