Classic motor, one lady owner... but expect to pay a princely sum
AS THE cliché of car sales goes, it is already quite the offer: a rare vintage Rolls-Royce, one careful owner.
Factor in the enormous windows for maximum visibility, a pennant holder and room for coat of arms on the door, and surely it is a vehicle that could only be fit for a queen.
A 1953 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV State Landaulette, one of only 18 ever made and used by the Royal household for more than 40 years, is to be sold at auction – and expected to fetch up to £2million. Built in celebration of RollsRoyce’s golden jubilee, it was used by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh from the late Fifties, seen and photographed on key occasions across four decades, as well as being used on royal tours around the world.
Modifications give a clear insight into life in the Royal family, with high seats and large windows to allow the public to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she was driven past.
Built with a tough Perspex panel at the back, it has a blue light above the windscreen for emergencies, an early version of air conditioning and poweroperated windows.
Unlike a similar model of car once owned by Princess Margaret, its official description does not include a built-in bar for entertaining.
The car is nearly identical to the vehicle used to transport Meghan Markle to Windsor Castle for her wedding to the Duke of Sussex in May.
That car, used by Ms Markle and her mother Doria as they travelled from their hotel to St George’s Chapel, was another of the 18 models built only for heads of state and the most notable of public figures.
The Phantom IV will be offered for sale by Bonhams as part of a collection of eight “highly important” RollsRoyce vehicles, at the Goodwood Revival Sale, Chichester, on Sept 8.
The collection includes several cars used by members of the Royal family, including the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
One, a 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V “High Roof ” State Limousine, was used to drive the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for state occasions, and is currently on display on the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh. It will be sold with an estimate of £1million to £1.5million.
A 1979 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine lent to the Royal family will be sold with an estimate of £400,000 to £600,000, while a 1985 Rolls-Royce “Centenary” Silver Spur Saloon, the 100,000th car built by the company, is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £100,000.
The latter was used by the late Diana, Princess of Wales, “on occasion”, Bonhams said.
The sale will also include a number plates described as the “holy grail of registrations for any true Rolls-Royce enthusiast”: RR1 and RRM1.
Malcolm Barber, co-chairman of Bonhams, said only “very, very rarely would cars like this come on to the open market”, saying he could not think of another like it in his career of more than 30 years.
“It’s a jewel in the collection”, he said of the Phantom IV.
“Rolls-Royce motor cars have been present at countless historic events in recent British history, and the Heritage Fleet encapsulates the most significant models produced by the marque,” said Mr Barber.
‘Very, very rarely would cars like this come on to the open market. Phantom IV is a jewel in the collection’