To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION
Estimate:
$60,000 - $70,000
- Originally owned by country music legend Roy Clark for over 40
years
- Monogrammed with his initials; includes original 1977 Oklahoma
title
- One of 217 Phantom Vs with James Young coachwork
- Accompanied by Rolls-Royce build information
- Over $30,000 in service completed by Luxury Auto Works in 2019
and 2020
- Please note this lot will need to be collected from Austin,
TX
After crafting a mere 18 Phantom IV chassis strictly for ruling
heads of state, Rolls-Royce turned to offering the Phantom to the
merely very wealthy for 1959. The Phantom V was based on an all-new
chassis design and included a new V-8 engine, the same as in the
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II; a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission;
and servo-assisted brakes. It was tremendously expensive and
produced solely to individual order. As on earlier Rolls-Royces,
the tradition of bespoke custom coachwork continued with the
world's few remaining coachbuilders, the most desirable of which
were produced by James Young Ltd. From 1959 to 1968, Rolls-Royce
would build just 832 examples of the Phantom V, of which just 217
featured James Young coachwork.
This 1964 Phantom V James Young touring limousine was later sold by
Harrah's Club in Reno, Nevada to Roy Linwood Clark of Tulsa,
Oklahoma on 16 February 1977 for a healthy $19,500. Roy Clark is
best known for having been a host on the popular country variety
show Hee Haw from 1969 to 1992. A well-known country music artist,
he became a member of the Grand Old Opry in 1987 and would later be
inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. Mr. Clark
would own this beautiful Rolls-Royce until has passing in November
2018. His Rolls-Royce was then sold in the Spring of 2019 to a
noted private collection in Texas.
The limousine is finished in a lovely shade of dark red and
accented by a gold pinstripe running the length of the car. The
initials "RC" are prominently featured on the driver's side
passenger door. The interior is trimmed in tan leather and is
accented by beautiful woodwork throughout. The driver compartment
features Smiths instrumentation, an AM/FM radio, and an altimeter
in the passenger glove box door. Furthermore, the car is equipped
with electric windows and air conditioning which is vented into
both the driver and passenger compartments. A division window
separates the driver from the passengers. The rear compartment is
the epitome of 1960s luxury and features dual footrests, fold-out
jump seats, pillar-mounted flower vases, reading lights, and a
Smiths clock while fold-out picnic tables flank a small cocktail
bar with crystal decanters and glassware.
More recently, the Rolls-Royce has benefitted from routine
servicing in 2019 and 2020 by Luxury Auto Works in Austin, Texas.
This Phantom V ranks among the last of the custom, one-of-a-kind
Rolls-Royces, and marks the end of an era for automobiles that were
a true reflection of their owner's opulent taste and style.To view
this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please
visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0120.