Like Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll, the Rolls-Royce Black Badge is the darker, stormier alter ego of the luxury British brand, and it owes its existence to John Lennon.
Officially making its debut in 2016, “Black Badge was created to welcome a new generation of clients into Rolls-Royce: individuals who express their success unapologetically and with conviction,” says Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge.
It set a precedent where high-gloss chrome gave way to a stealthier look that would be echoed across the automotive world. “Black Badge has established an aesthetic and experiential template that echoes throughout the luxury sector,” adds Brownridge.
Although it’s only ten years since the Black Badge was officially introduced, the idea germinated thanks to a Brougham and a Beatle. Back in 1928, J.E. Aldred, who was one of the money men behind Rolls-Royce of America, commissioned a 20 HP Brewster Brougham with its grille and Spirit of Ecstasy finished in black instead of polished metal— a Rolls-Royce first.
Then, in 1964, John Lennon opted to spend some of his hard-earned from A Hard Day’s Night on a Phantom V. Lennon insisted that his Phantom would be as black as the night in the title, and his Mulliner Park Ward-built car was painted in a deep black gloss, including its bumpers and wheel discs. Inside, it was similarly dark, with Bedford cloth rear seats and leather front chairs. Lennon even chose special tinted Triplex Deeplight glass. “It’s for when you’re coming home late. If it’s daylight when you’re coming home, it’s still dark inside the car. You just shut all the windows, and you’re still in the club,” he told Rolling Stone in 1965.
Lennon’s car was further customized with a radio and Perdio Portarama television, along with a seven-piece set of custom luggage. In 1967, he would famously go on to have it repainted in a psychedelic yellow and adorned with flower power artwork by Steve Weaver.
“This motor car, uncompromising in its subversive intent and unapologetically unique, is now regarded as the spiritual progenitor of Black Badge,” says Rolls-Royce.
Today, Rolls-Royce offers the Ghost, Cullinan, and even the electric Spectre in Black Badge trim, while the program has also opened up a whole new world of personalization. Black Badge customers have specified cars themed around graffiti, nightclubs, sneakers, and video games, that Rolls-Royce says reflect a younger, “disruptive” clientele.
Report by Nik Berg for hagerty.com
