1965 Rolls Royce Phantom V State Landaulette

It was 1966, and Nicolae Ceaușescu, Communist dictator of Romania, decided to order an automobile. The result was one of five Phantom Vs bodied as State Landaulets, with a convertible top opening from the division window backward, as well as a Perspex panel over the driver’s compartment.

Nearly every available option was specified, including a rear seat that could be raised or lowered to suit the height of the passengers, a combination cocktail bar and entertainment cabinet with a television, dual air conditioners for front and rear compartments, fluorescent overhead lighting for nighttime parades, and a refrigerated wine cooler, at a cost just under ₤20,000 – then a huge sum, making this the costliest Phantom V ever delivered.

Just 9 units were produced, including 3 State Landaulettes by Park Ward (chassis 5BV7, 5CG37 & 5LCG51 to design 1000), 2 State Landaulettes by Mulliner, Park Ward (chassis 5LVD33 & 5VD41 to design 2047) and 4 Special Landaulettes by Mulliner, Park Ward (chassis 5VD83, 5LVF29, 5LVF113 & 5LVF183 to design 2052). State Landaulettes have a short hood whereas Special Landaulettes have a long hood, the former having been intended for heads of state.

• 5VD83 - Sent to the Emir of Bahrain in June 1965
• 5VD99 - for the President of Tanzania, September 1965
• 5LVF29 - for the Shah of Iran, August 1966
• 5LVF113 - for a San Francisco doctor who borrowed his Phantom to drive Baba Lisa during her visits to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands
• 5LVF183 - delivered to Switzerland in February 1968. One of the last fifth Phantoms.

Design 2052 Landaulette were later made on the Phantom VI chassis without much change.

Descriptions and photos from Vintage & Prestige Cars