The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is perhaps the best-known royal and diplomatic service automobile in the world. It embodies the best English tradition and aristocratic craftsmanship, while maintaining an air of understatement on any great occasion. Ostentatiousness and showmanship are foreign concepts to this automobile; indeed, it has no need to strive for status and eminence. The Rolls-Royce is not simply an automobile, it is an institution on wheels. To many observers, it represents the finest of Great Britain and the end of an era as well, as this model year represents the last before Rolls-Royce entered bankruptcy and was restructured.

The Phantom VI also marks an important technological change. It was the last Rolls-Royce with a separate chassis. It featured coil springs in front, leaf springs and live axle in rear, and retained Phantom V drum brakes on all four wheels. The car was powered by a 6,230 cc, 90-degree V-8 with twin SU carburetors coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox. In 1990, after numerous rolling improvements with which no two cars are identical, the last Rolls-Royce Phantom VI chassis were built. The coachwork, commonly by Mulliner Park Ward, took around 18 months, leading to an extended wait for those who wanted the very best, which meant that the very last examples are often titled as 1992s.

The splendid motor car offered here, Identification Number PRH4578, was special-ordered for the exclusive use of the Lord Mayor of London, Lt. Col. Sir Ian Frank Bowater, who served from November of 1969 until November of 1970. Per a letter from the Corporation of London Records Office and signed by the City Archivist James R. Sewell, this car was also used by Lord Mayor Sir Peter Studd. Per Mr. Sewell, the car was sold in 1979. At some point in the car’s history it was converted to the wonderful landaulet configuration it remains in today. Having found its way to the consignor’s superb private collection, it presents beautifully in resplendent blue with a dark blue leather interior. Despite the years of official and private use, the car remains in beautiful condition with a lovely patination throughout.

With just 374 chassis completed, the Phantom VI is an uncommon automobile. When coupled with the provenance of official City of London use and long-term care in one of America’s finest private collections, you have a standout example of the breed. This Phantom VI is truly worthy of consideration by anyone who values the best things in life.