Phantom IV

(1950-1956)


1954 Phantom IV Landaulette by Hooper kept by the factory exclusively for Royal use and eventually purchased by the HM Queen in1959.This car was in use until 1987. Note that the Royal car is fitted with a blue police light or 'theatre light' and the Royal Standard flying on the front of the roof, also The Spirit of Ecstasy has been replaced by a special mascot depicting St George slaying the dragon


Years in production : 1950 - 1956

Total Made: 18

Engine : 8 cylinder in line configuration

Transmission : Single dry plate clutch, 4 speed gearbox

Chassis : Parallel girder with channel crossmembers and cruciform bracing

Dimensions : Wheelbase : 145 inches

Performance : No figures available


Rolls-Royce created the Phantom IV from the prototype eight cylinder motor car. Fitted into a considerably lengthened and therefore massively strengthened chassis of the Silver Wraith, it was powered by a refined version of the B80 engine.

The car was capable of speeds up to about 100 mph, although a built-in division revealed this to be a chauffeur driven motor car, the first Phantom IV was equipped with a special driver's seat, tailored to accommodate Prince Philip, just for those rare occasions when the husband of the future queen would like to drive himself.

Production of this model was not at Crewe but at the experimental foundry at Belper which had been the home of the motor car branch during the Second World War.

The Phantom IV remained the most exclusive vehicle Rolls-Royce ever built, delivery being limited to royalty and heads of states. Only eighteen examples were manufactured, one of which was kept with the company for test purposes. The bodies were produced mainly by the two coachbuilders, H J Mulliner and Hooper who could be counted on to fit appropriate coachwork to the right standards.

Only the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV for HRH Prince Talal Al Saoud of Saudi Arabia was delivered to a French coachbuilder, Franay. This coachwork was listed in their works description as a sedanca de ville. In fact, a four door cabriolet was erected on the chassis.

By creating the Phantom IV the manufacturer had not abided by their earlier decision which had been to cease once and for all the series of "big" Rolls-Royce Phantoms after the end of the Second World War.

In 1954 a Phantom IV was used for the first time as an official State Limousine, at the State Opening of Parliament. up until then Daimlers had been used on official occasions. A second Phantom IV, fitted with a landaulette body, had been kept at Rolls-Royce exclusively for the use of the royal household since 1954. This one was purchased by Her Majesty The Queen and shared duties with the first car of this type which had been in service since 1950.


1952 Phantom IV, by H J Mulliner, built as an armoured cabriolet for General Franco and still in use as a State Car in Spain


One Phantom IV, owned by the Shah of Iran, was scrapped in 1959; this had been his cabriolet. Some of the remaining sixteen Phantom IV's are still serving State Cars, in England and Spain, for example. A few, however have found their way into the hands of collectors.