ROLLS-ROYCE DAZZLES AT MILANO AUTOCLASSICA 2025: NINE LEGENDARY MODELS CELEBRATE THE PHANTOM’S CENTENARY

The fifteenth edition of Milano AutoClassica dedicates its prestigious celebration area to one of the most iconic marques in automotive history: Rolls-Royce. A grand tribute brought to life through a selection of nine extraordinary models – true four-wheeled masterpieces that recount key chapters in the story of a brand synonymous with luxury, elegance, and unmatched refinement.

The curation is entrusted to Davide Bassoli, one of Italy’s leading experts on the marque, author of international publications on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and President of the Italian Section of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club. A name that guarantees rigor, accuracy, and impeccable historical insight.

The Phantom Centenary: the icon of icons

The year 2025 marks an historic milestone for the House of Goodwood: the 100th anniversary of the Phantom, the most exclusive model in the Rolls-Royce range, produced in eight generations and celebrated over the decades as a symbol of unmatched technical and stylistic evolution. To honor the anniversary, Rolls-Royce has unveiled a special limited series of 25 units, built to even higher artisanal standards.

At Milano AutoClassica, this tribute takes shape with a magnificent 1927 Phantom I, a Brewster-bodied four-door tourer. This particular example is especially significant, having been manufactured at the historic Springfield, Massachusetts plant, where Rolls-Royce shifted part of its production in 1919 to bypass American import tariffs.

From the Twenty to the 20/25 HP: elegance becomes accessible

Since the 1920s, Rolls-Royce has complemented its most aristocratic models with versions that were relatively more “accessible”—as far as such a term can apply to the marque. Representing this philosophy is the 1933 20/25 HP, displayed in a charming Park Ward coupé body and originally delivered to a London physician. This car perfectly embodies the refined British taste of the era, balancing harmonious proportions with understated luxury.

Silver Wraith: the post-war era shines again

The first Rolls-Royce of the post-war period, the Silver Wraith, is represented by a 1954 example bodied by Freestone & Webb. This Touring Limousine features an elegant division window designed to isolate the rear compartment, offering maximum privacy in line with the tradition of chauffeur-driven cars.

Silver Cloud I Estate: rarity on four wheels

One of the most surprising presences at the exhibition is the 1958 Silver Cloud I Estate – first of only two units ever built. Developed through a collaboration between H. J. Mulliner (bodywork) and Harold Radford (interiors), it features a split tailgate for practical loading. The interior includes a built-in gun case, a detail that inspired the period name under which the version was marketed: “Safari.” It is also the last Rolls-Royce powered by the legendary inline-six designed by Henry Royce in 1922.

Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupé: the Rolls-Royce of the stars

A true icon of the international jet-set and the silver screen, the 1960 Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupé represents the pinnacle of automotive glamour. Beloved by stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren and featured in films such as Come September and Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, the example on display – originally delivered in Paris—captures all the magic of 1960s high society.

Silver Shadow I: 60 years of revolution

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, the Silver Shadow is regarded as the most revolutionary Rolls-Royce ever built—featuring a monocoque body, independent suspension, and disc brakes. The showcased model, a 1969 Silver Shadow I affectionately nicknamed “Ellie,” stands out for its unique specifications: a 6.2-liter engine, three-speed automatic transmission, and an elegant Regal Red exterior paired with a Continental Webasto sunroof. The car has undergone a careful conservative restoration by Giorgio Fiorenza.

Corniche Fixed Head Coupé: fashion, elegance, and pop culture

Derived from the Silver Shadow platform but bodied by Mulliner-Ward, the Corniche Fixed Head Coupé (1966–1981) was beloved by celebrities including Muhammad Ali and British supermodel Twiggy. The 1980 specimen displayed in Milan stands out for its metallic sand paint, vinyl roof, and chocolate-brown interior – a sophisticated combination that perfectly evokes the charm of the ’70s and ’80s.

Silver Spirit and Silver Spur: the era of modern elegance

The 1980s and 1990s are represented by the 1993 Silver Spur II, the long-wheelbase counterpart to the Silver Spirit. This model became iconic in Italy thanks to the famous commercial featuring the efficient and unforgettable chauffeur “Ambrogio.” The example on display, finished in metallic blue with beige interiors, has always resided in the Milan area.

Corniche S: an ultra-exclusive end-of-line gem

To close the exhibition, a true collector’s dream: the Corniche S, one of the final 25 Corniche units ever produced and the only version equipped with a turbocharged V8. In classic Rolls-Royce fashion, its official power output remains undisclosed, though estimates place it around 300 hp – “perfectly adequate,” as the marque would say.

Tickets and information

Tickets for Milano AutoClassica 2025 are available directly on the event’s official website:
www.milanoautoclassica.com