1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine

Rolls-Royce vehicles have always been exclusive, especially the Phantom IV, of which just eighteen examples were produced strictly for ruling heads of state. For 1959, the Phantom V was introduced and intended for the very wealthy. The Phantom V was based upon the all-new chassis design and powered by a new V8 engine, as well as a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and servo-assisted brakes. They were special-ordered vehicles that continued the tradition of custom coachwork. The small list of qualified coachbuilders including the UK coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner of Chiswick, which in 1961 merged with Park Ward under Rolls-Royce auspices, becoming Mulliner Park Ward. Thus, only the earliest Phantom Vs were bodied by Mulliner independently.

This particular example is a Limousine by Park Ward and is fitted with rear compartment air conditioning, a Park Ward–fitted radio aerial, instruments in MPH, and Windtone horns to the order of original owner H. Richard Dietrich of Mt. Pleasant Road, Villanova, Pennsylvania, to whom it was delivered on January 2, 1962. Dr. Billy R. Eubanks of Marrero, Louisiana purchased the car in November of 1982. It came into the care of its current owner around 2006.

The car has accumulated fewer than 20,000 miles. The lower half of the body has been refinished in Tudor Grey; the remainder of the car is largely original and has not been restored. In the rear compartment there is cut crystal glassware and decanters in the cocktail cabinet, as well as thick carpeting and broadcloth seating surrounded by veritable acres of rich burled walnut. The driver's compartment is done in leather and the dashboard has its own sliding picnic-and-map table beneath.

The engine is a 380 cubic-inch overhead-valve V8 unit offered an estimated 220 horsepower. There is a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016