2003 Rolls-Royce Phantom VII
Full engine overhaul in 2023

Registration No: MX53 OWD
Chassis No: SCA1568084UH00041
MOT: December 2026

• Engine fully overhauled in 2023, with some £30,000 expenditure in parts alone
• In current ownership since 2010, with just three former keepers
• Always chauffeur-driven and very well maintained during the current ownership
• Presented in its original colour combination
• 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 in 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 and multi-link rear) as well as speed-sensitive power-assisted steering and massive four-wheel disc brakes. Developing some seventy-five per cent. of its peak torque at just 1,000rpm, the bespoke 6¾-litre V12 was eerily refined. Quoted as developing some 453bhp and 531lb. ft. of torque and allied to a 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, discreetly-mounted Teflon-coated umbrellas and matchless interior. Put simply, BMW set a new benchmark for the luxury car market with its first 'clean sheet' Rolls-Royce design. While labelling any car as "the best in the world" might these days be deemed a cliché, our American cousins did hail the new Phantom as "The King of Cars."

Beautifully presented in its original colour scheme, this Phantom had three registered keepers up to 2010, and since then has been diligently maintained by A. W. Lymn, the Nottingham funeral directors. Always chauffeur-driven in their ownership, the extensive maintenance record is testimony to the care it has received.

The first seven entries in the maintenance log are for servicing performed between 2004 and 2010, by which stage the Rolls-Royce had covered 39,000 miles. With A. W. Lymn, it received more involved work alongside the usual servicing, such as the replacement of the oil cooler and gearbox sump gaskets in 2011, and a new nearside front lower hub ball joint in 2012. Since 2014, extensive works have been performed as part of a programme of rolling maintenance. This has included refurbishment of the air suspension compressor and replacement rear seat base in 2018; refurbishment of the offside front hub assembly in 2020; new batteries and injectors in 2022, new front discs and pads and all-round replacement tyres in 2023; replacement of the nearside front hub, wheel bearing and shock absorber in 2024; and replacement of the radiator and rear brake pads in 2025. Most importantly of all, the Rolls-Royce received a comprehensive engine overhaul in 2023 at 151,070 miles, which entailed a cost of around £30,000 in parts alone.

Considering a Phantom like this would have cost £250,000 at the very least when new, these well-maintained survivors represent excellent value for money, and the 300 examples from the first year of Phantom VII production—like this one—are naturally sought-after. Both running and driving very well during our recent photoshoot, and with a no-advisories MOT until December, this stands out as a superb luxury carriage for personal or private hire use.

PLEASE NOTE: The registration number shown in the images is not included in the sale.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452