Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
1950-1956 · Rolls-Royce Phantom IV — Limousine, Inline-8, designed by Rolls-Royce (Crewe).
The Story
The Phantom IV is the most exclusive Rolls-Royce ever made. Between 1950 and 1956 just 18 were built, sold only to those Rolls-Royce deemed worthy of one: reigning royalty and heads of state. It uniquely used a 5.7-litre straight-eight – the only eight-cylinder Rolls-Royce ever – chosen for its ability to idle and crawl smoothly at ceremonial walking pace.
The very first was built in 1950 to the order of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. The rest went to the likes of General Franco (whose cars remain in Spanish state service), the Shah of Iran, the Aga Khan and the ruling houses of Iraq and Kuwait. To own a Phantom IV is to hold one of the rarest and most aristocratic objects in all of motoring.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Limousine class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Rolls-Royce (Crewe)
A corporate attribution for the post-war coachbuilt Rolls-Royces with no single named stylist: the factory built the rolling chassis and drivetrains, supplied to external coachbuilders (Park Ward, James Young, H.J. Mulliner) who clothed them to commission.
Studio Motors POV
The Phantom IV is the most exclusive car Rolls-Royce has ever built – royalty-only, one of just eighteen; it isn’t a market car so much as a crown jewel that very occasionally changes hands.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Straight-Eight (5.7L)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Phantom IV
Worth Knowing About the Phantom IV
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) Only 18 were ever built, for just 11 customers – and Rolls-Royce vetted each buyer for 'worthiness.' 2) It is the only Rolls-Royce with a straight-eight engine, chosen so it could idle and crawl at ceremonial speed without fuss. 3) The first car (1950) was commissioned by Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip; General Franco's three remain in Spanish state service.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) The only RR straight-eight (5.7L). 2) Just 18 built, 1950-1956. 3) Sold only to royalty and heads of state. 4) Five went to the British Royal Family; three to Franco's Spain. 5) The rarest Rolls-Royce of all.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
Princess Elizabeth & Prince Philip (the first car, 1950); General Franco (three, still in Spanish state service); the Shah of Iran; the Aga Khan III; Princess Margaret (a 1954 H.J. Mulliner limousine).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
These essentially never trade; any sale is a major event and value is set almost entirely by royal/state provenance. Expert-only, museum-grade – bought as a piece of history.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
- Class
- Limousine
- Production years
- 1950-1956
- Units built
- 18
- Variants
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- Inline-8
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce Phantom IV Straight-Eight (5.7L)
- Displacement
- 5.7L (5,675 cc)
- Power
- 164 hp
- Torque
- lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- s
- Top speed
- 100 mph
- Power-to-weight
- hp/tonne · lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual (some automatic)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- lb
Questions
Phantom IV FAQ
How many Rolls-Royce Phantom IVs were built?
Only 18 Phantom IVs were produced between 1950 and 1956, shared among just 11 customers, making it the rarest series-production Rolls-Royce of the post-war era. (Modern one-off Coachbuild commissions exist as a separate category.)
Who was eligible to buy a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV?
Rolls-Royce sold the Phantom IV exclusively to reigning royalty, royal family members, and heads of state / world leaders, vetting each prospective buyer for suitability. No private customer outside that circle is documented to have taken delivery.
What engine is in the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV?
The Phantom IV uses an F-head straight-eight engine: 5.7 litres in the first 15 cars and 6.5 litres in the final three. It is the only Rolls-Royce motor car ever built with a straight-eight, chosen to idle smoothly at ceremonial walking pace.
How much is a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV worth today?
Phantom IV market guidance varies — Hagerty good-condition data is around $688,000 and Gooding has estimated examples around $850,000-$1,100,000. Cars with royal provenance can reach multi-million figures (Princess Margaret’s example sold for CHF2,255,000 at RM Sotheby’s).
Which royalty and heads of state owned a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV?
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip received the first car in 1950. Five went to the British Royal Family in total. Three went to General Franco and remain in Spanish state service. The Aga Khan III and the Shah of Iran were also among the clients.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
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