6,230 cc OHV V-8 Engine
Twin SU Carburettors
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Front Independent Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes


*One of the most extravagant Convertibles ever built
*Built for Consul van Kempen of Switzerland and Monaco
*Striking Pale Green metallic over White livery
*One of the most luxurious coachbuilt cars of the era
*Unique one-off body by Pietro Frua


THE ROLLS-ROYCE VI

Rolls-Royce's new limousine model, the long-wheelbase Phantom V, effectively replaced both the royalty/heads of state-only Phantom IV and the Silver Wraith. Built on a much modified and strengthened Silver Cloud II chassis enjoying the same 145 inch wheelbase as the IV, the new Phantom measured over 6 metres (19' 6") in length and enabled coachbuilders to combine the desirable qualities of spacious interior accommodation with generous boot space and graceful lines. Now built by the combined firm of H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd., the car lived on into the 1990s as the Phantom VI, its passing in 1992 marking the final demise of the separate-chassis Rolls-Royce.

374 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI were built. All but six received bodies by Mulliner Park Ward. Out of this number, 355 were limousines plus eleven landaulettes using the Mulliner body. Four chassis-cum-engine assemblies were supplied to the funeral trade. The only exception was two chassis that were bodied by Pietro Frua.


THE MOTOR CAR OFFERED

PRX4705 may quite simply well be the largest and most imposing two-door convertible existing in the world today – and most likely one of the largest two-door convertibles ever built. Although it has a four-door sibling that at some point was owned by the famous Blackhawk Collection in California, the car on offer today is a unique one-off in every respect. It was created by the world famous Maserati designer Pietro Frua in his crisp signature style to a special order received in 1971 from H.E. Consul Simon van Kempen of Switzerland and Monaco. It remains an automobile that will stop passers-by in their tracks wherever it is shown.

The chassis was dispatched to Switzerland on 24 November 1971 with a declared value of GBP 6,265 plus GBP 492 for various accessories – a massive amount at the time. It was delivered to the Garage de'l Athenee in Geneva that had the task of assisting Pietro Frua during the construction of the one-off body. Frua had worked for the Swiss coachbuilding company Ghia-Aigle, which may explain why he was chosen to design Consul van Kempen's car. His initial rendering was numbered 869, but after some alterations to the wheel arches, the final design was labelled 870 and shows the car as built.

It took two full years to complete this stunning convertible, the process being endlessly delayed by the Italian-English language barrier between Frua and Rolls-Royce, while a British chassis measured in inches did not make life easier for the metric Italians. The fact that Consul van Kempen decided in the middle of everything that he wanted the classic Rolls-Royce radiator inclined at an angle, thereby fundamentally changing the front end design of the car, did not spur matters along either.

The seats were trimmed with specially selected leather of finest quality, the luggage compartment and floors received light leather-bordered carpets, the steering wheel received hand-stitched leather trim, and the horn button was engraved with the owner's initials. Frua sprinkled the bodywork liberally with R-R logos above the taillights and on the side trim. Tool compartments were not in the trunk, but in neat receptacles on both sides of the engine under the bonnet, which is piano hinged and opens separately in the classic manner. As delays mounted, door locks and other mechanisms were sourced from Mercedes-Benz. In the end, Consul van Kempen threatened to cancel the whole thing.

The final Rolls-Royce inspection of the finished car, which was necessary in order to receive the warranty papers, took place in Italy on 5 September 1973. Although he did not take delivery until that time, Consul van Kempen was delighted with his giant convertible and kept it until 1997, using it extensively. It was subsequently acquired by Walter Steinemann, a second long-term owner, who retained PRX4705 until it was purchased by Henrik Frederiksen. The car remains in wonderful condition today with pale green metallic paint, complemented by a luxurious off-white leather interior. It is ready to provide its new owner with glamorous top-down motoring on the open road.

Very few Phantom VI chassis were sold to the trade. Chassis PRX4705 is one of these extremely rare examples, and therefore presents a remarkable opportunity for the dedicated Rolls-Royce collector. The combination of its absolutely stunning size and presence, coupled with Pietro Frua's unique and compelling Italian bodywork, makes the possibility to purchase PRX4705 an absolutely unique occasion, not to be missed.


BILEN DER TILBYDES

Denne bil er formodentlig den største og mest overdådige todørs cabriolet i verden, og måske en af de største todørs cabrioleter der nogensinde er bygget. Den oprindelige ejer som også bestilte bilen, var Hans Excellence, Consul Simon van Kempen, som boede i Schweiz om vinteren og i Monaco om sommeren.

Chassis PRX4705 er det store Phantom VI chassis, som normalt blev udstyret med et omfangsrigt Rolls-Royce limousinekarosseri til statsbrug. PRX4705 blev eksporteret uden karosse den 24. november 1971 fra Rolls-Royce til Garage de'l Athenee i Geneve. Derefter gik chassiset til italienske Pietro Frua i Torino, kendt for sine vidunderlige Maserati og Monteverdi kreationer. Frua gik omgående i gang med at bygge det ekstraordinære cabriolet karosseri efter et eget design, afstemt med Konsul van Kempen. Det tog mere end to år inden den gigantiske og unikke kreation stod færdigbygget! Rolls-Royce udførte den garantimæssige slutinspektion på bilen den 5. september 1973 i Italien.

Consul van Kempen var så glad for bilen, at han brugte den flittigt frem til 1997, hvor den blev solgt til ejer nummer to, som også beholdt bilen i mange år indtil Henrik Frederiksen købte den i 2013. Bilen står stadig i fantastisk stand og er klar til en ny ejer, som kan se frem til særdeles glamourøse køreoplevelser.

EU Taxes paid
With Danish Registreringsattest