Rolls-Royce Phantom IV

Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
The first Rolls-Royce Phantom IV carrying Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh
Overview
Production	1950–1956 18 vehicles
Assembly	United Kingdom
Powertrain
Engine	5.7 L and 6.5 L (final three vehicles only) I8
Transmission	4-speed gearbox (from 1954, 4-speed automatic gearbox standard)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3683 mm (12ft 1in)
Length	5765.8 mm (18ft 11in)
Width	1955.8 mm (6ft 5in)
Height	1879.6 mm (6ft 2in) (Data corresponding to the first P. IV varies depending on each unit and/or type of coachwork)
Chronology
Predecessor	Phantom III
Successor	Phantom V

The Phantom IV was the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built. Only eighteen were made between 1950 and 1956, seventeen of which were sold - exclusively to royalty and heads of state. Sixteen are preserved in museums, public and private collections.

By creating the Phantom IV, Rolls Royce broke with their earlier decision to cease production of the series of "big" Rolls-Royce Phantoms after the end of World War II. The chassis differed from those of the shorter, production post-War models, the Silver Wraith and the Bentley Mark VI, apart from a larger size and an engine with increased capacity and power, in having an additional cross-member at the centre of the cruciform bracing and 10-stud road wheel mounting.

The engine was a derivative of the 8-cylinder rationalized B range of petrol engines (formed by four, six and straight eight). Specifically it was a refined version of a B80, the last three of a B81, both used in military and commercial vehicles. The IV is the only Rolls-Royce motorcar to be fitted with a straight-8 engine, which was powerful but could also run long distances at a very low speed, an important feature for ceremonial and parade cars.

All examples of this exclusive series were bodied by independent coachbuilders, and most of their bonnets surmounted by the kneeling version of the Spirit of Ecstasy, which had been unveiled in 1934 and used in various other models.

Kneeling Spirit of Ecstasy made between 1934-1939 and 1946-1956. It was mounted on most of the radiators, except in units 15 and 18 (chassis 4CS4).

A standing Spirit of Ecstasy (similar to that in chassis 4CS6) used on the last unit.

In July 1938 Rolls Royce had to publish in the motoring press an announcement denying that the Phantom III fabrication would be interrupted. The following was published on 19 July 1938 in the British magazine The Motor:

THE COMPANY WISH TO DENY the rumour that the Phantom III is to be discontinued and replaced with another model having an 8-cylinder or other engine.

However, in 1937 a project was initiated to rein in the manufacturing costs of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley (acquired by RR in 1931) motor car chassis. This involved the development of a Rationalized Range of cars sharing as many common components of the chassis as possible. As implementation of this rationalization plan, several prototypes were made. One of these, chassis 30-G-VII, was fitted with a large Park Ward seven-seater limousine body and was called Silver Wraith 80, then Silver Phantom, though it soon became known as Big Bertha. This was the genesis of the Phantom IV.