Cruising the legendary road to the summit of Pikes Peak, sharing stories, and celebrating a century of the Phantom.
Colorado Springs has this way of catching you off guard. You land expecting postcard views, and sure, you get them, but it’s the stillness in the air, the contrast between mountainous peaks and comfort, that really speaks volumes. I flew in for a weekend with Rolls-Royce and the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club, not entirely sure what to expect. The location? The Cheyenne Mountain Resort: secluded, luxurious, and somehow perfectly casual all at the same time.
What made the trip really special, though, wasn’t just the scenery or the five-star treatment. It was being surrounded by a small, passionate group of people who really live and breathe the spirit of Rolls-Royce. From the moment I checked in, it felt less like a corporate showcase and more like a gathering of storytellers focused on preserving the brand’s earliest eras with a mix of historic and modern models.
Getting behind the wheel of the new Cullinan and the updated Ghost Black Badge Series II on Colorado’s mountain roads was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon. The Cullinan remains the king of commanding presence with subtle tech and design updates, but in the great outdoors, climbing 14,115 feet toward the summit of Pikes Peak, it felt surprisingly light on its feet – smooth, sure-footed, and so quiet it made the Rockies feel even more remote. The Ghost Black Badge, though? That’s more of a performance powerhouse disguised in a tuxedo.
It hugged the high-altitude curves like a light and nimble sedan, and inside, it’s so comfort-focused you almost forget you’re driving until a tight corner demands your attention. There’s something surreal about flying through switchbacks with the Starlight Headliner glowing above you like a night sky – it’s sensory overload in the best way possible. The two models deliver completely different experiences, but both speak the same Rolls-Royce language: effortless, luxurious, and cool without trying too hard.
But the sense of community and pride really stuck with me throughout the trip. The Owners’ Club isn’t just a collection of wealthy enthusiasts – it’s families, friends, and enthusiasts who’ve fallen in love with these cars. Some traveled far and wide with immaculate pre-war Phantoms; others rolled up in modern marvels with wild specs. One owner let me in on the story behind his two-tone Silver Cloud, a car he inherited from his father that he now drives across the country to meetups like this. It was that kind of weekend – casual conversations turning into deeper stories, people connecting over a shared love for craftsmanship and tradition. There’s a quiet humility among the owners that’s disarming in the best way, especially when you realize how many of these cars carry decades of family history.
The Sunday Concours on the lawn of the Country Club of Colorado at Cheyenne Mountain was a culmination of heritage and passion. Dozens of Rolls-Royces, perfectly arranged with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, and all generations of Phantom lined up for the model’s 100th anniversary. It felt more like a living timeline than an automotive event.
Seeing some of the first-ever Phantoms parked beside the latest iteration really drove home how far the brand’s come without ever losing its core DNA. Those in attendance weren’t rushing around or glued to their phones – everyone was taking their time, asking questions, pointing out details, and admiring the little things. I found myself getting caught up in it too. One car had been in the same family since new, with the original tool kit still neatly packed in the trunk. That kind of detail tells you everything you need to know about the people who show up to these events and carry on the legacy of Rolls-Royce.
The weekend wrapped with a black-tie Gala that somehow still felt relaxed. There were some heartfelt moments, a few surprise awards, and more than a few emotional speeches – especially when the junior judges of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club were called to the stage to present some of the awards. That one hit home, as the entire group was watching the future generation of the RROC being passed the baton by some of the oldest members. It reminded me that this whole scene is more about legacy, time well spent, and passing down a sense of appreciation for something beautifully built. As the night wound down and the room raised a final toast to the club’s past and future, I realized this was both a weekend about Rolls-Royce and everything that makes the brand timeless: people, pride, and passion.
Driving out the next morning, with the sun just creeping over the mountains, I couldn’t help but feel changed a bit. It’s easy to look at Rolls-Royce from the outside and see just the price tags and prestige. But spend a few days in the fold, and you start to see the deeper layers. The owners, the stories, the commitment to quality – it’s all very real. And when it all comes together, at a place like this, it’s a reminder of why we fall in love with cars in the first place.
