Rolls-Royce Phantom IV

Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
Manufacturer Rolls-Royce Ltd
Production 1950–1956
18 produced
Predecessor Phantom III
Successor Phantom V
Engine 5.7 L I8
Transmission 4-speed gearbox (from 1954, 4-speed automatic gearbox standard)
Wheelbase 3.683 m (145 in)
Length 5.77 m (227 in)
Width 1.95 m (77 in)

The Phantom IV is the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built.[1] Only 18 were made between 1950 and 1956, exclusively for royalty and heads of state. Of these, 16 have survived.

Contents

Characteristics

By creating the Phantom IV the manufacturer broke with their earlier decision to cease production of the series of "big" Rolls-Royce Phantoms after the end of the Second World War.[2] The chassis was developed from that of the Silver Wraith, strengthened and lengthened considerably to a wheelbase of 144 inches and an overall length of 229 inches.

It is the only Rolls Royce motorcar to be fitted with a straight-8 engine, which could run long distances at a very low speed, an important feature for ceremonial cars.

All examples of this unique model were bodied by independent coachbuilders and their hoods surmounted by the kneeling version of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

History

In 1949, Rolls Royce received an order from the Duke of Edinburgh for a Rolls Royce limousine. His Royal Highness took this decision when he was lent an experimental Bentley with an eight-cylinder engine; the young Duke was so impressed he asked Rolls-Royce to build such a chassis to his order.

The commission was accepted and the company, aware that Daimler had enjoyed royal patronage since 1900, was very keen to ensure that they made the best car possible. The company's directors had considered manufacturing a replacement for the larger Phantom III, but were wary the weak post-war economic climate would not support such a large and expensive automobile. Production of the new model was not at Crewe but at the experimental "Clan Foundry" at Belper which had been the home of the motor car branch during the Second World War.[2]

Under the code name "Nabha", the royal Rolls-Royce was hand-built on a stretched Silver Wraith chassis. When completed in July 1950 its delivery was accompanied by a public announcement ostensibly breaking the Daimler monopoly stating the Phantom IV had been "designed to the special order of Their Royal Highnesses, the Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh". As the car was privately owned when delivered to the young couple and not an official state car, it was painted Valentine green; upon Princess Elizabeth's accession to the British throne in 1952 it became one and was repainted in claret and black.[3] It remains in the Royal Mews to this day and is occasionally used to ferry Royal aides and friends to Royal Ascot. The car was last used at the Wedding of Prince William of Wales and Kate Middleton to ferry Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall from Clarence House to Westminster Abbey.

This first Phantom IV was the first of two that Princess Elizabeth ordered; in 1954 a similar model with a landaulette body (since retired) entered the royal fleet.

Rolls-Royces remained preferred by the British Royal Family until the delivery of two customised Bentleys donated by that firm in 2002. However, the Phantom IV is sometimes used for special occasions of the royal family, such as by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the 29 April 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

Other owners included the Queen's sister, HRH The Princess Margaret, The Countess of Snowdon and the Spanish Head of State, General Francisco Franco, whose three customised Phantom IVs (two limousines and a cabriolet) are still in ceremonial service with HM King Juan Carlos I of Spain.

List of the 18 units

Chassis First owner Coachbuilder Type of coachwork Coachwork number/design Original colour Upholstery Delivery date Curiosities
4AF2 HRH The Princess Elizabeth, The Duchess of Edinburgh H. J. Mulliner Limousine 7 seater 5034 / 7162 First Valentine green then claret and black Front: blue leather, rear: grey cloth 6 July 1950 Mascot of Saint George and dragon, designed by artist Edward Seago, it is made of silver and can be transferred from car to car. Fitted with a specially modified driver's seat in case the Duke of Edinburgh wished to drive himself.

On April 10, 1952 the Queen was driven in this car to her first Royal Engagement, the presentation of Maundy Money at the Westminster Abbey. Carried the Queen to the opening of the Parliament in 1954.[4]
4AF4 Rolls Royce Park Ward Pick-up truck ~ Grey ~ 1 October 1950 Experimental truck used for the factory. Dismantled in 1963.
4AF6 HM Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran H. J. Mulliner Cabriolet 5077 / 7205 Blue silver White 3 December 1951 Scrapped in 1959.[5]
4AF8 HH Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Hakim of Kuwait H. J. Mulliner Limousine 6 light saloon 5153 / 7206 Beige and royal midnight blue Biscuit July 1951 At The Nethercutt Museum, 15151 Bledsoe Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
4AF10 HRH The Prince Henry, The Duke of Gloucester Hooper Limousine 9663 / 8292 Black Fawn 1 September 1951 Featured in the 1966 films Arabesque[6] and Fumo di Londra (Smoke over London).
4AF12 Ernest Hives, director of RR, then HRH The Princess Marina, The Duchess of Kent Hooper Limousine 7 seater 9719 / 8307 Blue Beige 1 July 1951 ~
4AF14 General Francisco Franco of Spain H. J. Mulliner Limousine 5 seater 5035 / 7181 Black W of E beige 13 June 1952 Armoured rear.
4AF16 General Francisco Franco of Spain H.J. Mulliner Limousine 7 seater 5036 / 7181 Black W of E beige 4 July 1952 Armoured rear.
4AF18 General Francisco Franco of Spain H. J. Mulliner Cabriolet 4945 / 7183 Black Green leather 28 March 1952 It was officially used for the first time on the 18th July 1952 victory parade. Armoured rear.
4AF20 HH Aga Khan III Hooper Limousine sedanca de ville 9750 / 8293 Dark green Red leather May 1952 When R. R. sold the car to the Aga Khan they included a clause which said he could not sell the car. However after his death his widow sold it to the Mayfair-Lennox hotel (Missouri, USA), where it was used to pick up guests at the airport but due to the boot short capacity it was resold in 1962.
4AF22 HH The Prince Talal of Saudi Arabia Franay Cabriolet - / 7183 Cream and green Green leather June 1952 The only Phantom IV with a French-made coachwork. This one was listed in their works description as a sedanca de ville but a four door cabriolet was erected on the chassis instead.
4BP1 HM King Faisal II of Iraq Hooper Limousine 9890 / 8361 Black Red leather 26 March 1953 Made for his coronation.
4BP3 HRH 'Abd al-Ilah, Prince Regent of Iraq Hooper Touring limousine 7 seater 9891 / 8370 Black Light blue leather 26 March 1953 Built for the coronation of his nephew, King Faisal II. Years later all the royal family members were assassinated in the 1958 coup d'état. At the time of the uprising, the car was at Hooper's in London for servicing and was saved as a result.
4BP5 HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom Hooper Landaulette 9941 / 8399 Black and maroon Front: blue leather, rear: grey cloth 1 May 1954 Rolls-Royce kept this car for the exclusive use of the British Sovereign. Finally in 1959 it was purchased by the Queen and used by the royal family until the late 1980s.

It is currently on display at the Sir Henry Royce Foundation.
4BP7 HRH The Princess Margaret, The Countess of Snowdon H. J. Mulliner Limousine 7 seater 5686 / 7368 Black Beige cloth 16 July 1954 Purchased by Princess Margaret, she chose Pegasus designed by Edward Seago and made (by Louis Lejeune Ltd, London) as her mascot. Fitted with an adjustable seat in case the Princess wished to drive herself.
4CS2 HH Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Hakim of Kuwait H. J. Mulliner Limousine 6 light saloon 5724 / 7376 Two-tone green Olive green leather 1 February 1955 ~
4CS4 HH Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Hakim of Kuwait H. J. Mulliner Limousine 5725 / 7376 Golden copper and silver Beige August 1955 On display at Castillo Concejuelo in Torre Loizaga, Biscay, Spain
4CS6 HM Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran Hooper Limousine 10177 / 8425 Black then repainted in bordeaux Grey leather October 1956 In 1977 the car was in London for "major repairs and refurbishing". After three years and a reported $25,000 worth of repairs, the car was still in the U. K. There was a dispute over who owned the car; the ousted Shah or representatives of the Iranian Embassy who said it belonged to their country.[7] Finally the exiled Pahlavi family lost their claim to ownership in the British courts. This unit is currently displayed at the National Car Museum of Iran.

References

  1. ^ Rolls Royce Phantom IV, Rolls-Royce and Bentley, Photos, Reports and Books from the archives of K. J. Roßfeldt
  2. ^ a b Darkforce: Rolls Royce Phantom IV
  3. ^ Peter Bigott. Royal Transport: An Inside Look at the History of Royal Travel
  4. ^ Martin Buckley: Cars of the Super Rich
  5. ^ Darkforce; Rolls Royce Phantom IV
  6. ^ Internet Movie Cars Database: 1951 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Limousine Hooper [4AF10]
  7. ^ New York Magazine: 17 March 1980

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