Rolls-Royce vehicles have graced a dozen James Bond films, but none left as lasting an impression as the 1937 Phantom III in Goldfinger. The film’s villain, Auric Goldfinger, utilized this majestic car to transport and smuggle his beloved gold, an apt metaphor for his obsession with wealth. The car’s very name and number plate—AU 1, referencing the chemical symbol for gold—gave Goldfinger the perfect ride for his nefarious plans.

The Phantom III was not just any luxury car; it was the last model developed under the meticulous eye of Rolls-Royce’s visionary founder, Sir Henry Royce. Launched in 1936, the Phantom III boasted a groundbreaking 7.3-liter V12 engine that could generate 165 horsepower, marking it as a potent machine for its time. It was the first V12 Rolls-Royce and set new standards for both performance and engineering excellence. It was this power, combined with its lavish design, that made it the ideal choice for Goldfinger, allowing him to navigate treacherous alpine roads while smuggling his gold with ease.

The cinematic Phantom III was a Sedanca de Ville, a regal coach-built vehicle with an open front for the chauffeur and an enclosed rear compartment for the passengers—perfect for the villain’s grandeur. Its presence in the film was so commanding that even James Bond himself admired its beauty, cementing the car’s iconic status in both the Rolls-Royce and Bond legacies.

Auric Goldfinger’s devious plot in the film revolved around the global gold market, with a plan to irradiate the U.S. gold reserves at Fort Knox, rendering them useless and skyrocketing the value of his own gold supply. His plan, aptly named ‘Operation Grand Slam,’ was as ambitious as it was evil, and his Phantom III was integral to his gold smuggling efforts.

The gold itself was hidden in the vehicle’s body panels, made of solid 18-carat gold—a true testament to Goldfinger’s obsession with the metal. The Phantom’s size and power made it the ideal accomplice, allowing the heavy gold to be transported undetected across Europe’s borders. As Bond unraveled the plot, the Phantom III became a symbol of Goldfinger’s wealth, audacity, and sinister brilliance.

The legacy of the Goldfinger Phantom extends beyond its cinematic role. The particular car used in the film was originally commissioned for Huttleston Rogers Broughton, the first Lord Fairhaven of Anglesey Abbey, before being adapted for its movie debut. Its original black finish was later replaced with a striking two-tone yellow and black paint scheme for the film, further enhancing its on-screen allure.

Even the Phantom’s number plate, AU 1, holds a storied past. It was originally a British number plate for vehicles registered in Nottingham, issued in 1901. After Goldfinger, the number was transferred to various other Rolls-Royce models, each one carrying forward a piece of its cinematic history.

Rolls-Royce has hinted at further expanding the Goldfinger Phantom’s legacy. On 25 October, at 14:00 BST, the marque is set to make a significant announcement that promises to open a new chapter in the Phantom III’s story, reigniting the bond between this legendary motor car and the James Bond franchise.

The Phantom III’s appearance in Goldfinger was more than just a cameo—it solidified Rolls-Royce’s place as a symbol of British luxury and excellence. The combination of a villain as bold and unforgettable as Auric Goldfinger, and a car as majestic as the Phantom III, created an iconic pairing that has endured for six decades.

As Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to celebrate this cinematic legend, the Phantom III remains a testament to the timeless allure of luxury and power, a fitting companion to one of the greatest James Bond films ever made. With the brand promising new developments in the Goldfinger Phantom’s legacy, fans and collectors alike await with bated breath for the next chapter in this extraordinary story.