1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Seven-Passenger Limousine

In the post-War era, most of the production Rolls-Royce cars were built on the Silver Wraith chassis. The top offering and most exclusive vehicle of the company was the Phantom IV. Between 1950 and 1956, only 18 were created, and all were sold to royalty and heads of state. The successor was introduced in 1959, the Phantom V and would continue the linage as being a favorite of monarchs and moguls.

This example wears coachwork by James Young. It is a seven-passenger limousine that was put on display at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show. After the show, it was delivered to 8c, Avenue de Miremont in Geneva, the local residence of its first owner Althani Ahmed, Prince of Qatar. It was delivered with optional rear roof-ducted refrigeration, rear speedometer, Sundym tinted glass, adjustable footrests, bar and sunshine roof, and a speedometer in kilometers.

The car has resided in southern California for the past two decades. From mid-1992 to early 1993, it was given a major restoration. The original color scheme of black with beige hides in front, beige cloth in rear was changed to the present Pewter over black with beige hides front and rear. The current owner acquired the car in January of 2006 at which time the odometer read 50,143 km.

In 2009, this Phantom V Limousine was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $90,000 - $125,000. As the gavel fell for the third and final time, the lot had been sold for the sum of $88,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009