If there is an exclusive car, it is precisely the Phantom IV, one of the most elite Rolls-Royce models. In total, eighteen units were manufactured between 1950 and 1956, of which sixteen remain; and all of them were sold to heads of state and royal houses. Queen Elizabeth II turned it into an automotive icon by proclaiming it the official car of British royalty, once she ascended the throne; and in Spain, Franco acquired three copies in 1952 that, over time, became property of the Army.
The Phantom IV is the only Rolls-Royce model equipped with an in-line eight-cylinder engine, which allows it to travel long distances at very low speed. Thus, it becomes an ideal ceremonial and parade car for the most solemn events. For its part, the brand's iconic statuette, which is usually found in an upright position, in this model adopts a kneeling pose and a slight forward inclination. That is, a bow towards his distinguished passengers. In addition, all of them were custom-built by different craftsmen, making each unit unique.
There are those who consider the Phantom IV to be the last “royal carriage” and the truth is that it could very well be true. Since then, no other car has been manufactured with the clear intention of serving the high representation of the State.
The sixteen units that are currently preserved, once owned by personalities such as the Emir of Kuwuait or the Shah of Persia, are now part of public, private or museum collections, such as the Miguel de la Vía Collection in the Loizaga Tower. (Bizkaia), where the fourth “ghost” of Spain is located.
This was not the first nor the last emblematic car of Queen Elizabeth II, but it was one of the most special in her collection. After him would still come the Phantom V and the Phantom VI. However, the Phantom IV ascended the throne with her in 1952. It was a seven-seater limousine, with blue upholstery in the front and gray in the back, which reached a power of 165 HP.
It is necessary to mention that the acquisition of this vehicle was made before the appointment, when they were still Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. In this way, and as a possession for the private use of the couple, it was painted green. Although this color did not last long, since upon acquiring the category of “real car”, it quickly had to adapt to the official colors: burgundy and black.
Currently, this Phantom IV remains in the royal stables to be used by members of the British royal family at official events, such as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.
For his part, in 1952, Francisco Franco took possession of three units that he had reserved four years earlier. They were two limousines, with five and seven seats, and a convertible. All of them with a bodywork by the British firm H. J. Mulliner
The Head of State was the one that formalized the request and the property quickly fell to the Army, the entity that currently guards them in the historic room of the Royal Guard (Paseo del Pardo, Madrid).
As a vehicle intended for high representation of the State, its use is limited to the most important events, such as the wedding of the then Prince Felipe and Letizia in 2004; which they attended with the same car that the emeritus king Juan Carlos had used to attend his proclamation in 1975. It was also the same one with which Princess Leonor presented herself to the Oath of the Constitution in 2023, in the company of her sister , Infanta Sofia. At all these events, the luxurious and historic Phantom IV gave its touch of solemnity and elegance, making each occasion a walk through the history of an automotive icon.
