1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine

Coachwork by James Young, Ltd

6,230cc OHV V8 Engine
Two SU Carburetors
220bhp at 4,000rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

* Auto Show car, followed by Spanish ownership
* Highly original and unmolested example of the model
*Offered with Rolls-Royce factory records
* The car of kings, aristocrats, and titans of industry

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V

Introduced in autumn of 1959, Rolls-Royce's new 6,230cc all-alloy V8 engine powered the Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 sedans as well as the Rolls-Royce Phantom V. The new Phantom V long-wheelbase limousine effectively replaced both the Phantom IV and the Silver Wraith. The latter's relatively short wheelbase made it difficult for coach builders to provide adequate trunk space in a comfortable seven-seater automobile; the Phantom addressed this shortcoming. Built on a much-modified and strengthened 'Cloud II chassis employing the same 145" wheelbase as the IV, the new Phantom measured almost 20 feet in length, enabling coach builders to combine spacious interior accommodations with generous boot space and graceful lines. A lower final drive ratio ensured that top speed remained in excess of 100mph and the new Phantom could all but match its stable-mates for acceleration.

Over the course of a nine year production run, 516 Phantom Vs rolled off the line, sporting a dizzying array of body styles all built with the express purpose of providing the utmost luxury to their lucky occupants — most of whom were unbothered with the task of driving, preferring, naturally, to be cosseted in the sumptuous rear passenger compartments.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This late example of the extravagant Phantom V has an important provenance that commences with demonstration at the 1966 Geneva Salon. The car was built in late 1965, seemingly with the intention of a destination of Switzerland to be retailed or held by Garage L'Athenée in Geneva. It was built to what many consider to be the most elegant of James Young's designs on these cars, the PV16 designation, which was most distinctive for its reversed curve rear quarter panels, themselves being reminiscent of some Hooper designs. Sources vary on the actual production numbers of this variant, but all have them in limited numbers, and in left hand drive form it there are thought to have been no more than single digits.
Perhaps one of the onlookers at the Geneva Salon was an important Spaniard, or simply its handsome looks caused to be traded to a different jurisdiction, we may never know precisely, but the factory records do confirm that by the middle of 1966 it was to be diverted to Spain and supplied through the agents there, C. de Salamanca.

The factory records do not chart names of the owners in this period for this car, but a decade later we know from Schoelkopf card records that it had migrated to America and was by then the property of Dr. Jos. J. Zamot of Whittier, California, where it is listed in May 1978. The next note that we have been able to find of a transaction came in 2004 when the car passed through a Monterey auction, and by September 2007 it was within the stock of esteemed trader Vantage Motorworks Inc of Miami.

It was there that the car came onto the radar of the current owner and was acquired. At the point of its purchase, Vantage described the car as 'entirely original throughout' with some elements of 'patina' and including its original radio. As part of the deal to buy the Phantom a mechanical review was undertaken before being supplied.

Today, the car remains much in a similar order to which it was described in 2007. The interior is clearly original with some creasing and a few areas of damage to the leather, while in places there is loss to the varnish of the wood trim, but generally for its age the condition of its interior is impressive. Externally we noted some age to the paintwork, crazing in places and a few cracks or 'dings' to the body. While it had not received much use in the past 14 years, with modest attention the car was able to be made to run, but we would advise a full check over prior to a return to road use.

Rare by design, exclusive and elegant, James Young's renderings on the later Phantom series have always been coveted and this represents an unusual opportunity to find one which has not been restored.