The mysterious Rolls-Royce Phantom V in Spain in the 60s that had been stored since 1989
The protagonist of our article has a story full of questions, starting with his arrival in Spain in the middle of the dictatorship.
The discovery of any classic that has been standing for a long time always causes us a special emotion. In this case, an aura of mystery is added to this emotion, since the history of this Rolls-Royce Phantom V is full of unknowns that we have not been able to fully answer. Starting with how such an exclusive model arrived in Spain during the Franco dictatorship or why it has remained safe for so many years. And it’s not that no Rolls were circulating in our country, but they were not as special as the one featured in this article.
Let us remember that the Phantom Vs were assembled at the Rolls-Royce factory in Crewe (England) between 1959 and 1968. They replaced the exclusive Phantom IVs, which were only sold to members of royal houses and high dignitaries. In fact, three of them ended up in Spain and they continue to wear them in parades in which members of the Royal House participate. Returning to the Phantom V, these used the Silver Cloud platform and its 6,230 cm3 V8 engine, associated with the 4-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission. As was the norm at Rolls-Royce, the power was “sufficient.”
Only 832 examples were built, bodied by Park Ward and James Young, companies that had been absorbed by the English brand. Among its most illustrious owners we find the Queen of England Elizabeth II with two units, the Shah of Iran, Marshal Tito, Nicolae Ceausescu and Imelda Marcos. Famous singers such as Elvis Presley, John Lennon or Elton John. The versions of these last two are the most colorful and have become iconic.
A ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V IN SPAIN IN THE 60S
Given the level of the automobile that stars in our story, it is understandable how difficult it was for one to enter Spain. It is likely that he did it through Charles of Salamancaimporter of Bentley, Jaguar o Rolls-Royce at the time. According to traffic records, this Phantom V, with chassis number 5LVF119 and aluminum body signed by James Young, arrived in our country on April 17, 1967. This fits with it being a model that was brought for the Automobile Sector of Barcelona of that year, which was celebrated between April 20 and 30.
Let us remember that units were allowed to be imported for the Barcelona show, which was one of the few gateways to foreign cars in our country. Combine this information with the fact that it is initially registered in the name of a company. The ownership changed on May 30, 1969, when it passed into the hands of a private individual (possibly with the initials FGF) and received the registration number M-749477. Since everything is speculation, there is the option that it was not sold in the Barcelona Automobile Sector or that it went directly to a dealer.
A few years later, specifically on April 17, 1985, the car became the name of the owner’s company. It is possible that at that time the Rolls-Royce Phantom was practically not used, since it was temporarily decommissioned on March 14, 1989. At that time, its odometer reflected that it had traveled less than 5,000 kilometers. A very low figure, but it is assumed that, due to the type of car, it was used only on very special occasions.
SLEEPING THE DREAM OF THE JUST
Since 1989, our protagonist has remained locked in a ship without moving. It has been unused for more than 30 years, but at least it was in a sheltered place, which has allowed its state of conservation to be little less than excellent, both in terms of the bodywork and the interior. For example, we see that the exterior chrome does reflect the passage of time, but there are no defects or dents to point out.
In the cabin, we can check that no element is missing, that is, it is complete, including the dashboard or the carriers. Here you can notice the use in the leather of the cabin, especially in areas such as the armrests. However, there are no breaks, so it won’t be difficult to restore. The presence of the glass that separates the driver from the passengers in the Rolls-Royce Phantom V is striking; What client could need something like that in Spain in the 60s? One more question in the history of this car. At LA ESCUDERÍA we have contacted the owner’s family, but they have not been able to help us unravel his story.
We do know that our protagonist was rescued from his ostracism recently, although the procedures to do so began in 2022. In fact, his “discoverer” has found a buyer who is already restoring it in Central Europe and has even provided us with images of the process. Although surrounded by a halo of mystery around history, at least the Rolls-Royce Phantom V will have a new life ahead of it away from the four walls in which it spent so much time locked up. Of course, now it will be done with two-tone paint.
2024-03-14 19:36:47
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