Rolls-Royce Phantoms

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Operatic performances but always deserving an encore

WHY BUY

The Phantom replaced the much loved Silver Ghost and while the latter is a legend, the Phantom family is more usable for the family being more modern and refined.

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

The car was heavily based upon the old Ghost – apart from advanced servo-assisted braking – although the engine was new. A wide range of body styles were offered by specialist builders, such as Clark’s Regency saloon plus, as the car was also built in the US, numerous American styles. The Phantom II took over in 1929 and ran up to ’36. Unlike the first, being a development of the Ghost, the Phantom II sported an all new chassis with the 7.6-litre engine gaining a more efficient cylinder head. Just under 1300 Phantom IIs were built.

DRIVING

Being a Rolls, you expect sophistication in silence and neither Phantom is likely to disappoint in this respect even when compared to a car of the 1950s and 60s. Both models remain highly regarded as civilised tourers that can sustain the legal limit with ease giving an economy of around 14mpg plus are far more advanced in design than the Ghost.

WHAT TO PAY

Prices can vary hugely depending upon condition and body style. For example, The Real Car Co advertises a Phantom II with a short ‘Harrison’ body at £65,000 but a restored four-door sports tourer is 100 grand more. Typically, prices hover around £50-£75,000 for a good car with a project – such as the rolling chassis sold at the 2015 Beaulieu Autojumble – costing over £20,000. Phantom Is are appreciably dearer, however.

OWNING

Like its predecessor, the Silver Ghost, this Rolls-Royce is an easy and relatively low cost car to own given its status and screen prices although major rebuilds, such as the engine, are as dear as any Aston Martin. Spare parts are no problem however but, interestingly, the Real Car Co advises that those new to R-Rs and who want something with a vintage look and feel, yet are reasonably modern at the same time, are much better off looking at a post-war Wraith or Bentley R Type for a much smaller outlay – and we have to agree with this view.