1974 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI

As the 1950s were coming to a close, Rolls-Royce introduced its Silver Cloud II model (alongside the Bentley S2) equipped with a new light-alloy V8 engine. Additional upgrades came in the form of an increased front braking effort, a new ventilation system, standard power steering, a long-life chassis lubrication system, and a revised fascia. The V8 engine had a 6,230cc displacement and delivered 'adequate' (unofficially 200) horsepower, enough to provide a 110 mph top speed.

Rolls-Royce introduced its new Silver Cloud II at the 1959 Earls Court Show alongside the new Phantom V, essentially a lengthened version of the former with no less than 22 inches added to the wheelbase. It had wider tracks, devoid of a rear axle radius arm, different chassis side members, and at 19 feet, 10-inches between bumper over-riders it was the largest production model ever produced by Rolls-Royce.

Before the arrival of the Phantom V, Rolls-Royce customers seeking larger limousine coachwork would opt for the Silver Wraith, based on the outdated Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (and Bentley MK VI). The Phantom V followed a similar mechanical path as the Silver Cloud II, but with a higher final drive ratio to compensate for the inevitable weight increase. The coachwork was elegant and stately, created by Mulliner, Park Ward or James Young. The Park Ward bodies were particularly popular, especially with the British Royal Family and heads of state worldwide.

When Rolls-Royce introduced its new Silver Cloud III, the Phantom V was given an uprated version of the engine that boosted output to 220 bhp (albeit, larger SU carburetors were not adopted until March of 1964). Additional improvements included twin headlamps and standard power steering.

In Autumn of 1968, after 832 examples had been produced, the Phantom V was replaced by the Phantom VI wearing coachwork created mostly by Mulliner Park Ward. The Phantom VI was the last Rolls-Royce with a separate chassis, and its exterior was nearly identical to the facelifted Phantom V, distinguished with standard air conditioning front and rear, re-styled dashboard, and more efficient Silver Shadow cylinder heads.

The Phantom VI was the final expression of traditional, coachbuilt automobiles built to individual order by Rolls-Royce, and a total of 374 examples were built in bar-chassis form through 1991. The British Queen Elizabeth II used the Phantom VI until 2002 as the official state car. For that purpose, her state cars had a flagstaff and illuminated heraldic shield above the windscreen. Following their retirement from service, both examples are now on public display, one in the royal motor museum at Sandringham and the other in the special garage aboard HMY Britannia in Leith, Edinburgh.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI had coil springs to the front, leaf springs to the rear, and drum brakes on all four wheels, with later-built examples receiving hydraulic power assistance. The 6,230cc, 90-degree V8 engine had a bore of 104mm and a stroke of 91.5mm. It breathed through twin SU carburetors and was backed by a four-speed automatic gearbox. In 1979, the engine grew to 6,750cc and was fitted with a three-speed automatic gearbox with a torque converter. In 1982, the displacement increased once more, to 6,750cc.

Along with the bodies created by Rolls-Royce subsidiary Mulliner Park Ward, two one-off cabriolets were designed by Italian coachbuilder Frua of Torino. Most of the Mulliner Park Ward bodies were limousines, with 12 clothed with landaulette coachwork, and around four were hearses. The limousine coachwork was similar to that of its predecessor, the Phantom VI, with slight alterations, most notably a lower radiator grille and a sloping bonnet.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2021