6,230 cc OHV V-8 Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
Adequate Horsepower
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*USA delivered example
*Well-optioned car
*Believed to have covered less than 20,000 miles from new
*The last word in luxury in its day

THE PHANTOM VI

"The specification has been designed to make our Phantom VI the 'Showpiece' of our demonstration fleet, and also to promote those extras that MPW are keen to sell." – Rolls-Royce Motors.

With development of its dependable six-cylinder engine nearing an end and facing competition from faster rivals in the United States market, Rolls-Royce turned to V8 power as the 1960s approached. Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the new 6,230cc all-alloy engine graced the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 as well as the Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Introduced at the same time, Rolls-Royce's new limousine model, the long-wheelbase Phantom V, effectively replaced both the royalty/heads of state-only Phantom IV and the Silver Wraith. Built on a much modified and strengthened Silver Cloud II chassis, the new Phantom measured over 6 meters (19' 6") in length and enabled coachbuilders to combine the desirable qualities of spacious interior accommodation with generous boot space and graceful lines. A lower final drive ratio ensured that, while top speed was a little down on that of its stable-mates, though still in excess of 100mph, the new Phantom could all but match them for acceleration.

Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward Limited produced what was in effect the 'standard' seven-passenger limousine coachwork for the Phantom V. The usual upholstery for the front compartment was leather, which was also included in the list of alternatives for the rear together with West of England cloth. As one would expect in a car of this class, a cocktail cabinet was often incorporated into the rear compartment, while electric windows and air conditioning were among the other options.

Park Ward's design remained substantially unaltered until the introduction of the Silver Cloud III and Bentley S3 in the autumn of 1962 when it was revised to incorporate the new models' four-headlamp lighting arrangement and a completely new above-waistline treatment. Now built by the combined firm of H J Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd, the car lived on into the 1990s as the Phantom VI, its passing in 1992 marking the final demise of the separate-chassis Rolls-Royce.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

In a market where fully loaded SUVs nudge $100,000, these majestic limousines look like terrific value with a quality of finishes that are unmatched in the modern age. PRX 4687's chassis number decodes as a Phantom, Rolls-Royce, Export model, which were built as new in left-hand drive form. A door-sticker confirms that it was imported to the USA in 1976 by Barbara Carswell Management, a business which was in early days, but today following mergers is known as Carswell, Greenfield and Kunstler and specializes in financial Business Management. It is quite possible that the car was acquired for a client. Twenty years ago, the car was still on the road in Beverly Hills and the property of one Omar Al Midani, prior to its arrival in the current ownership which we believe it joined towards the end of the 2000s.

Today, on close inspection of the interior it seems quite plausible that the mileage of just under 20,000 is actually from new as both front and rear show only modest wear and the car generally has a feeling of originality to these aspects. This extends to the center console of the rear compartment where there is a push button phone system, an older Clarion stereo and Panasonic 'graphic equalizer' set up – remember those? The surrounding interior of beige leather in the front and brown velour fabric in the back do also appear to be original finishes. Aesthetically, the car presents cleanly, its interior is still in good shape and the characteristic features such as the wood veneers generally present well. From its paint plate, it would appear to have been delivered new in a solid Willow Gold color, rather than the popular two-tone schemes of the day. At some point in its career, that original paint seems to have been refurbished to slightly darker but nevertheless appealing shade of red/brown, close to the factory offered Chestnut and complementing the interior.

Unused in the last decade or so, with a new battery and some brief checking over the car was made to run and drive, although we feel a thorough check over would be more advisable prior to active use. A fraction of the cost of a brand-new Rolls-Royce Phantom, this Phantom VI possesses at least as much—if not more—style as the one rolling off the line at Goodwood. And it is bigger too.