2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Lot details
Registration No: M50 RRR
Chassis No: SCA1568034UH00027
Mot Expiry: Nov 2017

- One former keeper and 5,100 recorded miles

- Dates from the first year of production (300 sales) and would have had a basic list price of £250,000

'Luxury cars abound, but there's only one Rolls. And whatever one might think about the national origins of the new stewards, they seem to understand their mission. The new Phantom (the seventh generation of the name) has the craftsmanship, comfort, presence, and prestige of its predecessors. Call it tradition made modern' (Tony Swan, Car and Driver, May 2003)

Less than five years after acquiring what is arguably the world's most famous luxury car marque, the BMW Group had not only engineered a brand new Rolls-Royce flagship but also erected a state-of-the-art production facility on the Goodwood Estate within which to assemble it. Launched on January 1st 2003, the seventh generation Phantom marked a technological step change from its predecessors yet was still unmistakably a Rolls-Royce. Based around a hand-welded extruded aluminium spaceframe chassis clothed with aluminium and composite panels, the newcomer featured a highly sophisticated independent air suspension system mounted on steel subframes (double wishbone front / multi-link rear) as well as speed-sensitive power assisted steering and massive four-wheel disc brakes. Developing some seventy-five percent of its peak torque at just 1,000rpm, the bespoke 6.75 litre V12 was eerily refined. Quoted as developing some 453bhp and 531lbft of torque and allied to six-speed automatic transmission, it gave the luxury saloon an improbable turn of speed with contemporary road testers achieving 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds and 149mph. Initially contentious, the Phantom's bold styling lent it a road presence that rivals simply could not match. Although, reviewers devoted almost as much ink to its rear-hinged 'coach' doors, discretely-mounted Teflon-coated umbrellas and matchless interior. Put simply BMW re-defined the luxury car market with its first 'clean sheet' Rolls-Royce design. While labelling any car as 'the best in the world' is these days deemed anachronistic, our American cousins did hail the new Phantom as 'The King of Cars'.

Offered for sale with clear title by order of the High Court, this particular example has formed part of an extensive London-based private collection since 9th December 2011 when it was purchased from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London for £96,000. Showing a warranted 3,593 miles at the time, the Phantom has since been serviced at 4,239 miles (3/10/13) and 4,688 miles (9/1/15). Finished in Light Metallic Blue with Beige leather upholstery, 'M50 RRR' was entrusted to Jack Barclay for the addition of highlighting coachlines at a cost of £2,160 on 20th December 2011. An HPi check reveals that (a) the Phantom has had one former keeper and (b) it is not recorded on their stolen, finance, security watch or insurance write off databases. While a UK Government Vehicle MOT History search shows that the Rolls-Royce has been MOT tested at 2,417 (14/11/2006), 2,484 (13/2/2007), 2,875 (24/10/2007), 3,025 (5/11/2008), 3,113 (28/10/2009), 3,548 (2/11/2010), 3,579 (17/10/2011), 3,580 (18/10/2011), 3,889 (31/10/2012), 4,279 (30/10/2013), 4,639 (7/11/2014) and 5,052 (30/10/2015) miles. Now displaying some 5,100 miles to its odometer, this imposing luxury saloon will hopefully possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale.

PLEASE NOTE: This lot possesses a MOT certificate valid until 30th November 2017.

PLEASE NOTE: This lot is not accompanied by a V5C Registration Document. The new owner will have to apply for a replacement one by completing a V62 form and submitting it to the DVLA together with a fee of £25.