Council car set to go on display

A 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom owned by Cardiff council could go on display in England after being kept in a basement for 16 years.

Cardiff council has agreed plans to loan the classic 6.2-litre limousine to the National Motor Museum in Hampshire.

The council will not sell the car, and plans to have it on permanent display in Cardiff in the future – possibly in the Cardiff Story Museum.

The luxury car, described as Cardiff council’s “crown jewel” by campaigners, has been kept in storage in an underground car park under County Hall since it was last used in an official capacity in 2002 – coming out just once a year for its MoT.

Cardiff council also intends to keep the Rolls-Royce’s KG1 number plate, which dates back to 1904.

Together with its number plate the car is thought to be worth around £215,600.

The decision not to sell the RollsRoyce, and approach the National Motor Museum to loan the car, was agreed by Cardiff council’s cabinet yesterday.

Councillor Adrian Robson, leader of the Conservatives on Cardiff council, said he was relieved the vehicle will not be sold off.

“I’m sure the residents of Cardiff will be very grateful,” he said.

As previously reported, a Freedom of Information Request revealed the car, which has transported Princess Diana and the Queen, costs Cardiff taxpayers £196.69 per year.

A spokesman for Cardiff council said: “The 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V1 6.2-litre limousine and its number plate will not be sold.

“The council intends to approach the National Motor Museum in Hampshire so that the vehicle can be displayed temporarily until a suitable location can be found to show it in Cardiff, perhaps as part of the future expansion Museum.

“The council is very proud of the city’s history and both the car and the number plate have historical significance.”

The car is unique as it has a silver dragon as an ornament on the bonnet of the car instead of “The Spirit of of the Cardiff Story Ecstasy” ornament which is on other Rolls-Royce cars.

Special permission had to be granted from the company to make this modification.

The number plate dates back to 1904, following the enactment of the Motor Car Act 1903, and it was the first number plate ever issued in Cardiff.