1971 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Four-Door Cabriolet

This 1971 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is one of two built with bespoke Frua coachwork. It was delivered to Frua in 1971, but work continued on the car until 1993, well after Pietro Frua's death ten years earlier. This long and complicated gestation period resulted in a magnificent and traditional tourer with a triple-option configuration: top partially raised to protect passengers, but with the chauffeur exposed; top fully raised for closed car motoring; or top fully lowered for an open-touring experience. Furthermore, the central division could be raised or lowered for protection and privacy. Once completed, this car was displayed at the Geneva Auto Show in 1993.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was introduced for 1968. These were purpose-built vehicles built to individual order. In total, 374 examples were built, with the majority bodied by Rolls-Royce subsidiary Mulliner Park Ward. Frua of Torino designed two one-off cabriolets including this example, and the last Phantom VI completed.

This example was commissioned in 1970 by Robert 'Bobby' Buchanan-Michaelson. It was delivered to Jack Barclay Ltd in June of 1971, and later shipped to Frua in Italy. In 1972, construction of the body was halted at Frua. The project was later purchased by American collector James 'Jimmy' C. Leake Sr. of Muskogee, Oklahoma. During April 1977, new design drawings were produced by Frua, this time a four-door State Cabriolet body style.

Pietro Frua passed away in 1983 and then with the late-1980s dispersal of Mr. Leake's collection, the project floundered. The new caretakers of this car selected Royal Cars Ltd of the UK to complete the project in time for its public debut at the 1993 Geneva Auto Show.

This Phantom VI has a Champagne leather-trimmed interior, a central division window, leather-covered jump seat at either side of the built-in cocktail cabinet, and quarter-cut burled walnut with solid silver inlays. The bespoke luxury continues with the front and rear heating, air-conditioning, and fresh-air ventilation systems provide climate control. There is a television, video player, radio and a cocktail cabinet via remote control. There is a portable Davidoff cigar humidor which resides under the rear seat, and even a matching silk-lined ladies' vanity case.

The car has just 72 miles on the odometer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2017