1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

1961 Rolls Royce Phantom 5 Coupe 5LBX76 by James Young.

Chassis number: 5LBX76

Registration number: German registered.

Essentially a two-door limousine, the car was built on the same platform as other Phantom Vs, with the talent of James Young’s designers creating a beautiful, well-proportioned two-door body that recalls the fixed head or stationary coupes of the Classic Era.

Only two examples of these opulent Coupe's were produced, both for American clients. While both were very similar visually, each was built to a different design, numbers PV55 and PV55S, respectively. The latter, erected on chassis number 5LBX76, featured a true coupe-style interior with near equal legroom to both front and rear compartments, for “owner-driver” use, and had a slightly different shape to its roofline. The interior was outfitted with “cubbies” to both doors; electric windows; air conditioning; a Smiths Radiomobile radio; and storage areas, a footrest, and adjustable reading lights for the rear seat passengers. Originally the body was finished in Alpine White over House of Lords Red leather upholstery—a striking combination.

5LBX76 was delivered in February 1962 to Carlton W. Smith, retired president of the American Envelope Company of West Carrollton, Ohio, and a highly prominent philanthropist in the Dayton area. Later owners included John McComb of Granville, Ohio, and the noted early enthusiast Ernest Stern of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before the car was purchased by the current owner, in whose collection it has resided alongside several other significant postwar coachbuilt Phantoms for many years.

Fully restored in the present subtle hues of Sand over Garnet, the car is extremely well-preserved. The interior is very attractive, with rich woodwork and the vast leather seats one would expect in a Phantom V, facing a well-appointed dashboard. The trunk contains a correct jack and partial set of road tools. Accompanying documentation includes copies of Rolls-Royce Foundation build and ownership documentation, as well as the original guarantee card for the radio in Mr. Smith’s name.

Phantom V's do not come much rarer nor more exclusive then this. On the road the car drives like new & has a very modern feel to it. The massively spacious interior is well disguised with the slightly petite appearance of the exterior with the massivness of the car well disguised by the designers at James Young. A true collectable item with the indicated 45,000 miles believed to be correct from new.