BEATLES MAGAZINE: WHERE IS THE JOHN LENNON ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V LOCATED?

Saturday, 23 August 2025

WHERE IS THE JOHN LENNON ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V LOCATED?

The iconic John Lennon Rolls-Royce Phantom V is one of the most famous cars in history, known for its bold and psychedelic transformation. Its story is full of extravagance, controversy, and a value that has grown over time.

John Lennon acquired this Rolls-Royce Phantom V in December 1964.

The car was the most expensive model the brand offered at the time.

Originally, the vehicle was a classic black color, but this did not satisfy Lennon's artistic nature. To reflect his eccentric personality and the effervescence of the era, in April 1967, he decided to commission a new paint job.

The customization work was done by JP Fallon Limited and consisted of a psychedelic, floral design inspired by gypsy art and motifs. The body was painted a bright yellow with floral details, swirls, and a zodiac sign on the roof. The transformation coincided with the release of the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and the car became a symbol of the counterculture movement.

The reaction of the British public was mixed. While some saw it as a work of art, others, more traditional, were scandalized. There is an anecdote about an elderly woman who, upon seeing the car on the street, hit it with her umbrella, shouting: "You pig! How dare you do that to a Rolls-Royce!"

The Beatles used the car frequently, including for their trip to Buckingham Palace in 1965 to receive the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II, although at that time it did not yet have the psychedelic paint job. Lennon, who was not a good driver, hired a chauffeur to drive it.

After the breakup of The Beatles, Lennon and Yoko Ono moved to New York in 1970 and took the car with them. In the United States, the Rolls-Royce became a symbol of music culture, being lent to other legendary artists such as Bob Dylan and Elton John.

Sales and Trajectory

In 1977, John Lennon was forced to sell the car due to tax problems.

He donated it to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York. Years later, in 1985, the museum auctioned it off.

At the Sotheby's auction, the car reached a record price of $2,299,000 (or about $3,006,385, according to other sources), becoming the most expensive car sold at auction at that time. The buyer was the Canadian billionaire Jim Pattison.

Where is it now?

After the purchase, Jim Pattison donated the Rolls-Royce to the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, in 1987. The car is one of the most prominent pieces in the museum's collection and is regularly exhibited, although not permanently, to protect it from light and environmental conditions. It is often lent to other museums and exhibitions for special events.

Thus, John Lennon's Rolls-Royce Phantom V, more than just a vehicle, is a work of art and a cultural relic that encapsulates the creativity, rebellion, and spirit of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

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Saturday, 23 August 2025

WHERE IS THE JOHN LENNON ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V LOCATED?

Where is it now?

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