1959 Rolls-Royce Phantom 5 Park Ward Limousine

All Rolls-Royces are special but the Phantoms particularly so, representing the pinnacle of automotive luxury since the advent of the original New Phantom in 1925. Following on from the limited production Phantom IV (a car never made available to the general public), the new Phantom V was launched in 1959 on a truly massive chassis, with a wheelbase of 3683mm and powered by the smooth new V8 engine found in the 'little' Silver Cloud II. Displacing 6.2-litres, the 90-degree V8 had an alloy cylinder block with five bearing crankshaft, self-adjusting hydraulic tappets and twin SU carburettors. Although power output was never officially disclosed, it was sufficient to propel more than two tonnes to a top speed of 100mph and a 3.89:1 back axle ratio gave more than adequate acceleration. The Phantom V was sold in chassis form only and coachbuilders like Park Ward, James Young and H.J.Mulliner clothed each individual car to special order, depending on the customer's requirements. Owned by a veritable who's who of celebrities, Heads of State and Royalty, the Phantom V was a truly bespoke automobile and just 516 were completed in nearly ten years of production. With so few cars in circulation, the Phantom V remains a very desirable and collectible Rolls-Royce, a truly imposing limousine providing the last word in luxury and British craftsmanship.