1959→1968 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
When it came time to replace the aging Silver Wraith in 1959 – an endearingly classic design with underpinnings that dated as far back as the pre-war Wraith – Rolls-Royce decided to revive the legendary Phantom badge, reviving a lineage that had sat dormant since production of the ultra-limited Phantom IV ceased in 1956.
Between 1959 and 1968, a relatively low-volume run of 832 Phantom Vs were produced, making it quite rare and equally desirable. A 6,230 cc 90˚ overhead valve V-8 engine provided the Phantom V with adequate power and, mated exclusively to a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, was capable of propelling the more than 5,600 lb. limousine to speeds of over 100 mph, making it an uncommonly fast luxury vehicle for its time.
A stately tourer through and through, the Phantom V was the preferred method of transport for some of the world’s most famous people, with owners ranging from pop culture icons of the day like John Lennon, to European royalty such as Queen Elizabeth II and King Olav V of Norway. A Phantom V was even used as a ceremonial vehicle for the Governor of Hong Kong prior to Britain’s handover of the region to China in 1997, making the Phantom V a pseudo-symbol of the British Empire’s global reach.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1959 – 1968 |
| built at | England |
| production | 832 |
| price $ | $ 15,655 |
| engine | 90˚ V8 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| valvetrain | OHV |
| displacement | 6230 cc / 380.2 in³ |
| bore | 104.14 mm / 4.1 in |
| stroke | 91.4 mm / 3.6 in |
| compression | 8.00:1 |
| power | 164.1 kw / 220.0 bhp @ 4000 rpm |
| specific output | 35.31 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 103.63 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 461.0 nm / 340.0 ft lbs @ 2200 rpm |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 8.20-15 |
| rear tires | 8.20-15 |
| front brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| rear brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| curb weight | 2123 kg / 4680 lbs |
| wheelbase | 3124 mm / 123.0 in |
| front track | 1486 mm / 58.5 in |
| rear track | 1521 mm / 59.9 in |
| length | 5385 mm / 212.0 in |
| width | 1900 mm / 74.8 in |
| height | 1626 mm / 64.0 in |
| gear ratios | 3.82:1, 2.63:1, 1.45:1, 1.00:1 |
| top speed | ~180.2 kph / 112.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~11.4 seconds |
| 0 – 100 mph | ~43.0 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~18.0 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Sedanca de Ville by James Young 5AT76 – sold for $407,000 The 1960 Earls Court Motor Show car. One of only seven built to this design; numerous unique accessories. The finest example of its kind; known provenance from new. Best in Class at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. An exceptional Phantom V with extensive documentation.
Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young Sedanca de Ville 5AS95 – sold for $495,000 One of only seven built to this design. Specially ordered by its original owner, Count Locan. Ornate “canework” trim and unique interior touches. An incredibly rare post-war Rolls-Royce. Featured on the cover of Rolls-Royce: The Classic Elegance.
Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions
1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young Limousine 5LVF105 – sold for $264,000 One of only 13 Phantom Vs carrying the PV23 body. Ordered new by champion horse breeder Charles C. Bales. Richly appointed with A/C and blind quarter. Retaining its original color scheme. The car of kings, aristocrats, and titans of industry.
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young Touring Limousine 5LVA55 – sold for $396,000 Ex-King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley car. Factory US specification, left hand drive example. Elegant James Young Coachwork. Top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce worthy of the King. Significant piece of pop culture history.
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Park Ward 5LAT12 Limousine – sold for $99,000 Offered from the Pray Collection. Very rare early, U.S.-delivery, LHD model. Originally owned by Josiah K. Lilly Jr. Two owners since new. Accompanied by Rolls-Royce Foundation and Hunt House documentation.
Auction Source: Amelia Island 2014 by RM Auctions
1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young Sedanca De Ville 5BX44 – sold for €233,85 Stunning, rare coachwork. One of only nine Phantom Vs with Sedanca de Ville coachwork. Featured in Lawrence Dalton’s Rolls-Royce: The Classic Elegance. Cosmetic freshening by Hooper’s. Features including sedanca sliding roof and lovely cane-work. Complete with bar, hand and road tools and handbook.
The car is in near-perfect condition, finished in burgundy over black lacquer, with burgundy hides to the front and beige cloth with burgundy hides and burgundy piping to the rear. It is complete with all glassware in its elaborate bar, hand and road tools and handbook.
Auction Source: 2011 London Auction by RM
1966 Rolls-Royce Phantom V PV16 James Young Touring Limousine 5LVF41 – sold for $154,000 The Most Desirable Variation of the Exclusive Phantom V. Exceptional James Young Coachwork with Hooper Rear-Quarter Windows. Original Left-Hand Drive Example
Well-Kept Professional Restoration. Fastidiously Maintained with Service Records. A Must for the Rolls-Royce Collector.
Possibly one of the most desirable examples in existence, this left-hand-drive James Young limousine possesses all the features and qualities one looks for in a classic Rolls-Royce. Collectors with a deep appreciation of this legendary marque should recognize the availability of this remarkable motorcar as an extremely rare and exciting opportunity not to be overlooked.
Auction Source: 2011 Scottsdale Auction by Gooding & Company
1964 Rolls-Royce Phantom V James Young 7-Passenger Limousine 5LVA121 – sold for €185,639
According to Lawrence Dalton in his book, Rolls-Royce – The Classic Elegance, 5LVA121 was first delivered to Italy in February 1964. The vendor has informed us the car was later owned by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, although RM does not currently have corroborative documentation. Since joining the Hooper Corporate Collection, it has been displayed for many years in the Auto & Technik Museum in Sinsheim, Germany. It was totally restored in the late-1980s by Hooper & Co. (Coachbuilders) Ltd. and, underhood, shows typical road use and minor wear. It is said to be in good running order. The lovely dark blue exterior is complemented by sumptuous biscuit leather and striking book-matched burl walnut in both the driver and passenger compartments. The passenger compartment is highlighted by its centre console armrest, picnic tables, decanter compartment, jump seats, and occasional pillows crafted of matching leather. All in all, this is a lovely example of one of Rolls-Royces grandest limousines and probably one of the best in existence.Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Seven-Passenger Limousine – sold for $88,000 The Phantom we are pleased to offer here has a noteworthy history. Chassis 5 LCG 25 was job number 9033 at coachbuilders James Young. The PV15 design is a seven-passenger limousine and this car was displayed at the 1962 Geneva Motor Show. At the close of the exhibition, the Phantom V was delivered to 8c, Avenue de Miremont in Geneva, the local residence of its first owner Althani Ahmed, Prince of Qatar. When delivered, it was equipped with optional rear roof-ducted refrigeration, rear speedometer, Sundym tinted glass, adjustable footrests, bar and sunshine roof as well as a speedometer in kilometers.
For the past two decades the car has been resident in southern California in the care of its last two owners, both RROC members. From mid-1992 to early 1993, it was the subject of a major restoration at Hill & Vaughn in Marina del Rey, California, at a cost of approximately $50,000. At this time, 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 purchased the Phantom in January 2006 at which time the odometer read 50,143 km.
The car presents extremely well, with excellent shut lines and panel fit. A few small defects can be seen in the paint, but only upon closest inspection. The interior is comfortably settled in and the extensive wood trim is complete, showing only minor areas of wear. The Phantom V has been well-maintained mechanically and runs and drives as it should. Freshly serviced prior to this sale, it will be supplied with handbook and all documentation of the restoration and maintenance.
Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey
1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V H.J. Mulliner Five-Seat Limousine – sold for €50,400 This particular five-seat Phantom V was Rolls-Royce’s Earls Court Motor Show car in 1960 and was featured in the book The Post War Phantoms IV, V & VI by Martin Bennett. It is one of only eight Phantom Vs of H.J. Mulliner’s design no. 7516, which was intended to rival the most elegant touring limousines by James Young. In fact, it is quite similar to Park Ward design 980, a seven-seat limousine. After Rolls-Royce bought H.J. Mulliner, however, the touring limousine was developed from design 980, rendering these 7516 cars quite rare indeed.
Prior to its acquisition by the Zach Collection, this Phantom V received a complete restoration between 2004 and 2005, which included a bare-metal repaint, restoration of the undercarriage and rebuilding of the engine and transmission. Bills amounting to over £75,000 are included. Following its restoration, it won a Judge’s Choice award in 2006 at a large RREC event on the Isle of Man. Special features include an electric division window, cocktail cabinet with cut glass accessories and lovely wooden tray tables.
Auction Source: 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco
