1975 Rolls Royce Phantom VI

15th Mar, 2023 13:00
Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/l...

1 of just 374 Phantom VIs manufactured
First owned by the Saudi businessman Adnan Khashoggi and only two subsequent keepers
Less than 18,000 recorded miles
Modelled on the 1973 Earls Court Motor Show car and the only other Phantom VI to have been originally finished in Peacock over Silver Mink
Offered at ‘No Reserve’ from the late Robert Riding’s Estate, the vast majority of which has been left to charity with the RNLI as the predominant beneficiary
By far the most expensive car that money could buy when launched in 1968, the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI remained in production for twelve years (albeit the final few examples were not finished until 1991/1992 due to the model’s handbuilt nature). Notable as the last Rolls-Royce to employ a separate chassis, the majority were bodied by Mulliner Park Ward as seven-seater limousines. Though, a hearse and even convertible versions were constructed (the latter conceived by the Italian Carrozzeria, Frua). Equipped with independent front suspension, a leaf-sprung back axle and four-wheel drum brakes, the Phantom VI was all about passenger comfort and boasted the world’s first dual zone air-conditioning system. Powered by a 6230cc (later 6750cc) OHV V8 engine allied to automatic transmission, gearing was chosen such that it could be driven at anything from walking pace to 100mph. Customers were encouraged to tax the ingenuity of Rolls-Royce’s in-house craftsmen to the extent that very few, if any, of the 374 completed were to standard specification.

Modelled on the 1973 Earl’s Court Motor Show car, chassis PRH4818 is reportedly the only other Phantom VI to have been originally finished in Peacock over Silver Mink. Initially earmarked for a Gloucestershire property developer who informed S.P. Broughton & Co Ltd of Cheltenham that he intended to replace his Phantom VIs every two years, the Rolls-Royce was in fact supplied new via Jack Barclay of London to Adnan Mohamed Khashoggi and first registered as ‘1 AMK’ on April 1st 1975. Among the richest men in the world, the Saudi businessman and arms dealer’s assets encompassed: twelve homes, fully staffed at all times, including a 10,000-acre ranch in Kenya, an estate in Marbella and houses in London, Paris, Cannes, Madrid, Monte Carlo and Manhattan. He had a stable of Arabian horses and 200 exotic animals, 100 limousines, a personal airline of three jets and a fleet of three superyachts, including the $75m Nabila (named after his daughter) which was used in the James Bond film, ‘Never Say Never Again’. The nature of the business conducted inside the Phantom VI was doubtless facilitated by its rear and side window curtains, electric rear seats and cocktail cabinet.

Please note: We have been advised that vehicles registered on, and imported from, the Isle of Man are not subject to Import Duty. Nor is a NOVA application required for their re-registration in the United Kingdom.

About Robert Furniss Riding:

Born in 1940, the only child of only children parents, Bob was educated at Stockport Grammar School then read natural sciences at Christ Church, Oxford. He joined William Deacon’s Bank, and had a stellar ascent through it and its subsequent iterations ending up as Group Treasurer of the Royal Bank of Scotland. He grasped the opportunity of early retirement in 1990 and moved to the Isle of Man where he had been left a house by an aunt. But Bob was far from being inactive, throwing himself into the local community and taking on the turnaround of a local private bank as its Executive Chairman.

Bob was always a keen supporter of local charities, particularly maritime and those involving young people, and many will have cause to remember with gratitude his generosity and his apparently bottomless well of technical knowledge on “quality cars”, so freely shared. Bob left his Estate predominantly to Charity with the RNLI being the Residuary Beneficiary. Thus, in effect, the entire proceeds of the car collection sale will be received by the RNLI.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452