Billionaire Yohan Poonawalla Sets World Record With His 7 Rolls Royce Phantoms
When it comes to some of the rarest and most expensive vintage car collections, especially in terms of Rolls Royce models, there is nobody that can be named above billionaire Yohan Poonawalla. Recently, the Chairman of Poonawalla Group, Yohan Poonawalla, has managed to become the first collector not only in India but the entire world to showcase seven rare Rolls Royce Phantoms at a single event.
On the occasion of the “Phantom Centenary Exhibition”, celebrating 100 years of the Rolls Royce Phantom (1925-2025), Yohan Poonawalla is showcasing seven of the most iconic Rolls Royce Phantoms at the 1000 Miglia Experience, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates. A total of 120 teams and collectors from across the globe will be attending this five-day celebration of Rolls Royce Phantom’s heritage.
The first of these seven Rolls Royce Phantoms is the 1928 17 EX Phantom I, which belonged to the ex-Maharaja of Kashmir. It is one of the oldest Phantoms in existence. Then there will be the 1933 Phantom II, which is linked to Sir Malcolm Campbell, an iconic British land-speed record holder.
In addition to these, there will be his 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III that was owned by the ex-Maharaja of Panchkote, 1962 Rolls Royce Phantom V, which was owned by an ex-ruler of Qatar. And the last vintage model is the 1979 Phantom VII that belonged to Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
As for the remaining two Phantoms, the first is the 2005 Rolls Royce Phantom VII. This particular model is special as it was the first modern Phantom to come to India after Rolls Royce made its official comeback into India. Lastly, Yohan Poonawalla's latest 2024 Rolls Royce Phantom VIII EWB will also be showcased, as it is the last EWB Phantom with the privacy suite.
During the event, Yohan Poonawalla's two Rolls Royce Phantoms — the Phantom VI and the Phantom VII — will be participating in the rally on open roads across the scenic roads of Emirates. Meanwhile, the rest of the five Phantoms will be at the static display at the event for the public to get a closer look.
Commenting on the event and participation, Yohan Poonawalla, Chairman of Poonawalla Group, stated, “Representing India for the fourth time in a row at the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE is a proud and emotional moment. These Phantoms are not mere vehicles, they are living expressions of history, art, and legacy. It’s a proud moment to see these masterpieces showcased alongside the world’s finest classic cars. My participation underscores India’s growing recognition in the global motoring fraternity.”
In addition to the above-mentioned Rolls Royce Phantoms, Yohan Poonawalla also owns two more Rolls Royce Phantoms. Both of these are the Phantom Drophead Coupes, which are also some of the rarest Phantoms. One of them is finished in white color and the other one is finished in black color.
Apart from the Rolls Royces, Yohan Poonawalla also owns several other cars including Ferrari 488 Pista Spider, 458 Speciale, Portofino, F12 Berlinetta, Bentley Flying Spurs, Bentayga, Mercedes Benz SLS AMG, Maybach 680, Land Rover Defenders, a helicopter, and many others.