Rolls-Royce Phantom VI - Misplaced Pages

Ultra-luxury flagship automobile in its sixth generation For a list of all Rolls-Royce Phantom generations, see Rolls-Royce Phantom.

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Motor vehicle

Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
Brunei sultanate's Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
Overview
Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Ltd (1968–1973) Rolls-Royce Motors (1973–1990)
Production	1968–1990 374 produced
Assembly	West Sussex, England
Body and chassis
Body style	Limousines and other styles to buyer's choice
Layout	FR layout
Related	Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Powertrain
Engine	6.2-litre (380 cubic inch) Rolls-Royce V8 (1968–1978) 6.75-litre (412 cubic inch) Rolls-Royce V8 (1979–1990)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	145 in (3,683 mm)
Length	238 in (6,045 mm)
Width	79 in (2,007 mm)
Height	69 in (1,753 mm)
Curb weight	2.5 t (2,500 kg) (approx.)
Chronology
Predecessor	Phantom V
Successor	Silver Spur Touring Limousine

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is a British limousine made from 1968 to 1990 by Rolls-Royce. A total of 374 Phantom VIs were made, of which fewer than 40 were manufactured in the last decade of production.

The exterior is almost identical to the facelifted Phantom V.

Construction

Most of the coachwork was created by Mulliner Park Ward, usually in limousine form, although a handful of landaulets were made.

The Phantom VI was the last Rolls-Royce with a separate chassis. It featured coil springs in front, leaf springs and live axle in rear, and drum brakes on all four wheels. The car was powered by a 6,230 cc (380 cu in) 90-degree V8 with a bore of 104 mm (4.1 in) and stroke of 91.5 mm (3.60 in) with twin SU carburettors, coupled to a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The initial, single unit was soon replaced by separate front and rear air conditioning units. In a 1979 upgrade the engine capacity was increased to 6,750 cc (412 cu in), a 3-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter was substituted.

In 1990, the last Rolls-Royce Phantom VI chassis were built. However, as the completion of the coachwork by Mulliner Park Ward took around 18 months, the last cars were made in the period of the next two years.

Design of a Phantom VII based on the Silver Shadow's body was discussed in the 1970s, but plans were scrapped. No prototypes were built. A production Rolls-Royce Phantom VII was rolled out in 2003.

1970 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI limousine, the official car used on ceremonial occasions to transport the Governor-General of Australia and visiting heads of state
1990 landaulet by Mulliner Park Ward – invoice price new £498,365 (equivalent to £1,400,000 in 2023)
1986 Phantom VI at Windsor Castle

Notable owners

Up to her death in 2022, Elizabeth II had two Rolls-Royce Phantom VI automobiles – the 1977 Silver Jubilee Car and a more conventional 1986 model. These vehicles were the two main official state cars until the introduction of the two Bentley State Limousines in 2002.

When it was used by Elizabeth II, the standard Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament was replaced by a model of Saint George slaying the dragon.

Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia, also owns a Phantom VI; it was previously owned by Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy.

Legacy

Three other Phantom models were built between 1995 and 1997, also by order of the Sultan of Brunei. This car was named Rolls-Royce Cloudesque and sometimes referred to as Rolls-Royce Phantom VII. The exterior is reminiscent of a stretched Phantom V Limousine; the extra length being added at the B-pillar. The boot is redesigned, looking more like that of a Silver Seraph. The headlights were designed in a Silver Cloud III style (but with chromed eyelids), hence the name Cloudesque.