The Phantom VI marked the pinnacle of luxury motoring during its remarkably long 1968 to 1991 production run. Just 374 chassis were hand-built by Rolls-Royce during that time—reportedly all-but-eight of which were then dressed in the coachwork of Mulliner Park Ward.

For the majority finished in the ‘Limousine’ body style, they featured a glass divider to split the front and rear occupants, folding forward-facing occasional seats, a burled wood veneer cocktail cabinet, plus it was the first model in the world to feature dual-air conditioning as standard. Given the array of accoutrements housed within its vast 3.7-metre wheelbase, the Phantom VI tipped the scales at approximately 2,500 kilograms. Accordingly, it was propelled in near-silence by a 6,230-cc, V-8 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Offered from the private collection of 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, this right-hand-drive example is presented in its factory configuration of Masons Black over a Tan Connolly leather front compartment, while the rear was specified with West of England Beige cloth and Deep Fawn carpets.

Ordered new by the HA Gox dealership in Mayfair, London, the Rolls-Royce was configured with dual-stereo units (front and rear) selected as extras. Chassis PRH4661 arrived at Mulliner Park Ward to be bodied on 3 August 1971. It was subsequently delivered to its first owner, Sterling Moulding Materials, in June the following year. The car was used sparingly but serviced thoroughly during this stint before it was purchased in 1979 by Mr James Leake of Oklahoma, United States. An avid collector of luxury automobiles, records show that he owned no fewer than 32 Rolls-Royce, including three other Phantom VIs.

Come 1982, the car was bought via a London dealership by Cambridge Instruments, again going on to receive excellent maintenance by marque specialists. Acquired six years later by an Ascot-based owner who commissioned a set of curtains to be fitted to the rear compartment, the car was sold again in November of 1992 to a keeper based in Henley-on-Thames. Thereafter, it was cared for by a Swiss owner, with certificates showing the car passed its MoT regularly between 2000 and 2015. The Phantom VI then entered The Scheckter Collection in June 2016. At the beginning of 2020, marque expert A&S Engineering carried out a major service with areas such as the cooling system being paid particular attention—the invoice total was £8,745.

Complemented by a history file and Rolls-Royce handbook, this Phantom VI marks an opportunity to acquire the last word in handcrafted, coachbuilt motoring opulence.