Beschreibung:

1952 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM IV SEDANCA DE VILLE COACHWORK BY HOOPER Originally supplied to HH The Aga Khan Chassis No. 4AF20 Bordeaux red with red leather interior. Engine: eight cylinder in line, pushrod overhead inlet and side exhaust valves, 5,675cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: independent front, semi-elliptic rear. Right hand drive. The Phantom IV Rolls-Royce was a motor car built primarily for royalty and is the rarest of the spectacular Phantom range. The 12'1" wheelbase was fitted with the straight eight cylinder Rolls-Royce engine whilst coachwork was a matter of choice for the discerning client. Just seventeen Phantom IV models were manufactured for sale (although one further Works test car was built and subsequently dismantled) and various styles were available as befitting their clientèle. Principally used as a formal car of State, the majority of these magnificent vehicles were built for ceremonial work and provided the greatest of comfort for their occupants. The well-engineered mechanics, manual gearbox and absence of servo assisted systems (other than the brakes) give rise to a long, trouble-free life. Indeed, the B80-designed engine is not only tough but very long wearing and the Phantom IV is as trouble-free as any Rolls-Royce have produced. The first owners of these spectacular cars included HRH Princess Elizabeth, the Shah of Persia, General Franco and HM King Faisal of Iraq. Chassis No. 4AF20 was delivered in June 1952 with unique and particularly elegant Sedanca De Ville aluminium coachwork by Hooper to HH The Aga Khan and photographed and described as " possibly the most attractive of all the Phantom IV's " in Lawrence Dalton's definitive book on the marque "Rolls-Royce - The Classic Elegance". The condition of this motor car is commensurate with the gentle use it has seen and the careful maintenance it has received - the coachwork is good and strong and the panel fit excellent. Indeed, the quality of original workmanship has clearly stood the test of time. The upholstery is original to the car and has a lovely patina of age which would be impossible to re-create. The interior refinements include air conditioning and power windows as well as glass division, telephone, picnic tables and cocktail bar in the rear compartment. We are given to understand that the mechanical condition of the vehicle is good although there is a small leak from the exhaust system. On a short test drive the car performed well indeed. At present there is no spare wheel fitted. Documents on file confirm that it was sold by HH The Aga Khan to Elwood L. Hansen of San Fransisco, California, in May 1963 and was registered in the United Kingdom as 4 AAA in 1986. It has been in its present private ownership for the past ten years and is duty paid in Switzerland. This is a fine opportunity to obtain the ultimate in post-war limousines. The particular rarity of the model coupled with the fabulous and unique coachwork will ensure this Phantom IV has a permanent place in Rolls-Royce archives.