• The ultimate in motoring luxury in its day • The last separate-chassis model from Rolls-Royce • Left-hand drive • Present ownership since 2008 Introduced in the autumn of 1959, Rolls-Royce's new limousine model, the long-wheelbase Phantom V, effectively replaced both the royalty/heads of state-only Phantom IV and the Silver Wraith.

The latter's relatively short - for a limousine - wheelbase had made it all but impossible for coachbuilders to provide adequate boot space in a comfortable seven-seater automobile, a shortcoming addressed by the Phantom V.

Built on a much modified and strengthened Silver Cloud II chassis enjoying the same 145" wheelbase as the IV, the new Phantom measured over 6 metres (19' 6") in length and enabled coachbuilders to combine the desirable qualities of spacious interior accommodation with generous boot space and graceful lines.

A lower final drive ratio ensured that, while top speed was a little down on that of its stablemates though still in excess of 1...