1972 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

The Phantom and Silver Ghost are hallowed names of the Rolls-Royce marque, symbolic of elegance, sophistication, and luxury. Carrying on this tradition, the Phantom VI was the final expression of coachbuilt automobiles purpose-built by Rolls-Royce to individual order at the London Rolls-Royce coachworks at Hythe Road, Willesden. Offered in bare-chassis form through 1991, a total of 374 examples were constructed with the overwhelming majority bodied by Rolls-Royce subsidiary Mulliner Park Ward. The Phantom name would continue far beyond the Phantom VI, including the eighth and current generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, introduced in 2017.

- Phantom I (New Phantom) 1925 to 1931 (3,512 produced including 2,269 at Derby and 1,243 at Springfield, Massachusetts)
- Phantom II 1929 to 1935 (1,681 produced including 281 Continentals and 9 experimental cars)
- Phantom III 1936 to 1939 (727 produced)
- Phantom IV 1950 to 1956 ( 18 produced)
- Phantom V 1959 to 1968 (832 produced)
- Phantom VI 1968 to 1990 (374 produced)
- Phantom VII 2003 to 2017
- Phantom VIII 2017 to present (as of 2023)

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
The ultra-exclusive Phantom VI rolling chassis was produced from 1968 to 1990, with fewer than forty examples built during the last decade of production. Most of the 374 examples received limousine coachwork, with 12 being bestowed with landaulette bodies and at least one as a convertible. Approximately four examples were built as hearses. The limousine was based on its predecessor, the Phantom V, with minor alterations to the exterior, notably a lower radiator grille and a sloping bonnet.

Until 2002, the Phantom VI was used by the British Queen Elizabeth II as the official state car. Queen Elizabeth II had two Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, including the 1977 Silver Jubilee car and a 1986 model.

The Phantom VI was based on the Phantom V with a re-styled dashboard and was powered by an engine derived from the current Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow.

Specification
The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI rested on a 145-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 238 inches, a width of 79 inches, and a height of 69 inches. The chassis was built at the London Rolls-Royce coachworks at Hythe Road, Willesden, and featured coil springs at the front and leaf springs at the back. Drum brakes on all four wheels were initially used, later replaced by hydraulic power-assisted units.

From 1968 to 1978, power was sourced from a 6.2 liter (380 cubic-inch / 6,230cc) 90-degree V8 engine with twin SU carburetors and coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox. From 1979 to 1990, a 6.7-liter V8 engine was used, along with a three-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2023