When the Rolls-Royce Phantom went on sale in 2003, it was a pretty big deal. After the whole VW/BMW battle over the R-R/Bentley empire, BMW emerged as the owner of Rolls. Soon after, the Phantom was shown, making a huge statement about the future of Rolls-Royce. A big car with even bigger shoes to fill, the Phantom used retro styling cues to update the brand and bring a whole new audience to the marque.

Flash forward four years and Rolls-Royce has managed to do pretty well with its "new" Rolls. With Bentley and Maybach as its only true competition, the big Roller has managed to hold its own. Still the car of choice among the ultra rich in many parts of America, Europe and Asia, in particular, R-R has managed to sell a whopping 3,000 Phantoms over the years.

Car number 3,000 was recently feted as a corporate milestone at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of London. Mrs. Tchenguiz-Imerman, a London socialite, was the customer who commissioned lucky number 3,000 from Sales Manager Stephen Foulds, who happens to be the most successful Phantom seller in the world with more than 130 units sold. In a small ceremony, she accepted the keys to her Diamond Black Phantom from Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, Ian Robertson. The Goodwood plant and the London dealership have been a big part of the legacy of Rolls-Royce, and so it was fitting that this milestone event involved those two institutions. A plaque inside the glovebox marks this particular car as lucky number 3,000.

[Source: Rolls Royce]