Description
This is lot number 562 in the Bonhams Beaulieu Sale on September 14th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Formerly used by the Mayor of Manchester City Council
Present ownership since 2010
Lower body/ chassis restored
Original engine stripped and rebuilt in 2016
Chassis number 'PRH4624' was supplied to Jack Barclay Ltd to the order of the Alexander Howden Group, with warranty issued on 3rd August 1975. In 1980 the Phantom passed to Manchester City Council for use as the Mayor's official transport with their registration 'N 10'. On file is a logbook from MCC, completed by their chauffeur, showing dates and every journey recorded (initially with no year or mileage) until the end of September 1984 when a new chauffeur recorded the mileage as 55050. This ties in with the MoTs and shows it was used by Princess Anne and the Duchess of Kent on official engagements in the area.
In 1986 the car passed to S Sigley & Sons, funeral directors in Leek, Staffordshire. They completely stripped and refinished the car in their house colours of Ascot Grey. The interior is Baroda Blue wool with deep blue carpets, and it is believed Sigley's may have retrimmed this at some time as there is virtually no sign of wear. The woodwork is excellent as though only recently refinished. During Sigley's ownership the engine was leaking oil so they changed it for one out of a Silver Shadow, and told the vendors that Gary Woodhouse had rebuilt the gearbox at the same time. Being a business, all their paperwork was with the accounts department and is no longer available.
Sigley's phased out their Phantoms in 2005 but retained this one for a few weddings and family use with the intention of a complete rebuild. A change of circumstances meant that in 2010 they sold the car to our vendors together with the original engine and some new parts acquired for the intended rebuild.
While the bodywork was good, the underside-front body mounts and inner rear wings were poor and had to be replaced on purchase, including new front springs and rear chassis legs. The original engine was stripped and fully rebuilt in 2016 by Phantom specialist John Smith, with all parts supplied by Rolls-Royce via P & A Wood, together with an upgraded rear main bearing oil seal from P & A Wood. This original engine has been re-installed but is not yet fully run-in. In addition, the air conditioning systems were rebuilt and correct new tyres fitted recently (virtually unused). Described by the private vendors as in generally excellent condition, the car is offered with a history file and V5C.
