"Since 1959, there has been, simply put, no other automobile quite like the Rolls-Royce Phantom V - a large, ultra-exclusive four-door saloon produced from 1959 to 1968. Based on the Silver Cloud II, it shared a V8 engine and General Motors Hydramatic automatic gearbox with its smaller sibling. Rolls-Royce assembled the car's chassis and drivetrains with bodies made to standard designs by coachbuilders H. J. Mulliner, Park Ward, and James Young, former vendors absorbed by Rolls-Royce. The engine was a 6230cc 90-degree V8 with twin SU carburettors, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission. The car had massive drum brakes and a wheelbase of 3,683mm. From 1963 onward the Silver Cloud III's 7% more powerful engine and new front wings incorporating the latter's quad headlamps were fitted. A total of 516 Phantom V's were made. Famous owners included Queen Elizabeth II and, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and also Mohammad Reza Pahlavi the Shah of Iran. The Governor of Hong Kong used a Rolls-Royce Phantom V for ceremonial occasions. The Beatle, John Lennon's psychedelic-painted Phantom V, a 1960s counter-culture icon, came from the factory finished in white, with Lennon commissioning the custom paint job to really stand out from the crowd.
This stunning regal Phantom V was first registered to Nottingham Guild Hall and purchased from Nottingham Rolls-Royce supplier C.H. Truman & Co Ltd on the 26th August 1964, having been coachbuilt by H.J. Mulliner Park Ward as an enclosed limousine. 5VC49 first duty was to the mayor of Nottingham and as such was specified new with a ‘special aerial’ with manual wiring, rear footrests with wool rug, centre armrest, cocktail cabinet with two decanters, four glasses and electric windows to all doors, and at the time the coat of arms on rear doors coupled to a detachable flagstaff, all of which is detailed in the construction and test records supplied by the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Enthusiasts data cards within the history file. After its service to the city of Nottingham this example was purchased by A. W. Lymm before then being exported to America. Upon return to the UK 5VC49 was prepped for a restoration which due to damage to the trim became a full body restoration by Classic Restorations in Alyth, which is documented in a photographic form 2008 and 2009. The restoration was indeed thorough and provides us with the stunning example we find today presented in black over maroon coachwork in lovely order with beige trim and occasional seats behind the electric divide to the chauffeur seats trimmed in leather. Since the full body restorations the car has been cared for by both Shadow Vehicle Services in Pudsey for which a comprehensive history of works and maintenance can be found between 2009 and 2014. Our vendor purchased the car in 2017 part exchanging his Adenaur Mercedes which didn’t match his all British collection of classic motorcars. Since his purchase the car has been treasured and cared for by Stewart Walker who are independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists in Berkshire, and they have thoroughly worked through the car for our vendor, a private collector, so that the car behaves in the regal manor a Phantom V should and this included including the transmission which was replaced in 2018 with a fully reconditioned unit supplied and fitted by recognised experts in GM automatic gearboxes based in Birmingham. Offered in fabulous order and with a detailed history file including countless invoices since restoration, restoration photographs from Classic Restorations and original data card details from the RREC this is truly a wonderful piece of British Rolls-Royce heritage that has been cared for by some of the very best specialists. What better way to be driven than in a car that is trusted by dignitaries and Royals alike.
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