Summary
- Rolls-Royce submerged a Phantom body shell in a pool to honor the model’s centenary
- Inspired by Keith Moon’s infamous “car in the pool” legend
- Marks Phantom’s enduring link to music and cultural rebellion
To celebrate the Phantom’s 100th anniversary and its long-standing ties to popular music, Rolls-Royce staged one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most infamous legends. At Tinside Lido, a historic Art Deco pool in Plymouth, England, the brand submerged a Phantom body shell, a retired prototype destined for recycling, in a scene inspired by the notorious tale of The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon.
Moon’s 21st birthday is forever linked to the myth that he drove a Rolls-Royce into a hotel swimming pool, though accounts differ and some claim it never happened. Regardless of the truth, the story became an enduring image of rock excess and the car in question has always been imagined as a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
By recreating the legend, Rolls-Royce acknowledged not just the myth itself but Phantom’s century-long presence in music culture, from John Lennon and Elvis Presley to Elton John, Liberace and today’s hip-hop stars. The dramatic poolside installation highlighted Phantom’s role as both a canvas for personal expression and a symbol of musical rebellion. As Chief Executive Chris Brownridge put it, Phantom has always been a way for artists to “make their presence felt.”
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