1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Saloon

The Phantom IV, the rarest Rolls-Royce of all, was replaced in 1959 by the Phantom V. When the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith production came to an end, demand remained for a limousine version of the Rolls-Royce. The Phantom V had a newly designed 144-inch wheelbase chassis and powered by a new V8 engine which was paired with the General Motors-patented Hydra-Matic transmission with servo-assisted braking. In total, 832 examples of the Phantom V models were produced with just 108 of those fitted with James Young coachwork. Every Phantom model was built to order, meaning that no two are exactly alike.

The Sedanca de Ville body designed and coachbuilt by James Young Ltd. was considered by contemporaries to be the epitome of elegance and fine coachwork. It was the most expensive Rolls-Royce at the time apart from the specially ordered State Landaulette.

This particular car is one of only seven James Young PV22SD cars to be built. It was selected to be the Earls Court London Show Car for 1960 and was meticulously ordered by Elsie Tritton, an important Rolls-Royce customer. Tritton was very particular about the interior of the car and her order specified that the occasional seats be replaced with burr-walnut-lined lockers to match the woodwork in the center armrest. The lockers (cabinets) were fitted with crystal decanters and glasses, and smokers' accoutrements. The paintwork was to be Midnight Blue with white fine coach lines, which she later had changed to gold. The chauffeur's compartment was to be upholstered in Connolly leather, with the passenger compartment in a rare beige striped William Planes wool twill, beige carpets, and burl walnut veneered cabinetry and trim.

Records indicate that her new car was delivered to Tritton at her home at Godmersham Park in Kent at 11:30 am on Saturday, January 21, 1961 - 'promptly', as per her instructions.

Mrs. Tritton used the car as her primary form of transportation. About 10 years after she purchased the car, she returned it to James Young for a restoration. In 1971, it was sold to J. Seward Johnson, and was transported to the United States. Four additional owners enjoyed the car before it was acquired in 2008 by its current caretaker, who had some restoration work performed on the car.