The Phantom IV was the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built. Just 18 were made between 1949 and 1956, exclusively for royalty and heads of state. It is the only Rolls-Royce motor car to be fitted with a straight 8 engine.
The first Phantom IV was owned by Princess Elizabeth, later to become Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The purchase reflected a move away from the traditional royal preference for Daimler motor cars, which was to continue until the delivery of a customised Bentley in 2002.
This first car, which became a state car upon her accession to the throne in 1952 and still remains in the Royal Mews to this day, was later supplemented by a similar model with a landaulette body (since retired).
Other owners included Princess Margaret and General Franco of Spain, whose two customised cars are still in ceremonial service with King Juan Carlos.
Panther J72
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A 1978 Panther J72 4.2 litre MOT
A 1978 Panther J72 4.2 litre MOT
The J72 was the first product of the Panther Westwinds company, from 1972 through 1981. It was an exclusive luxury GT car, intended to compete with the best of the 1970s motor industry. It used mechanicals from the XJ12, including the 5.3 L Jaguar V12 engine, and was styled like the Jaguar SS100. The J72 was also offered with the 3.8 L and 4.2 L XK engines.
The J72 was a success for the small company, with its Connolly coachwork beating Rolls Royce at the 1973 London Motor Show. The car was purchased by a number of celebrities, and roughly 500 were produced in all.
Panther Car site Panther Car Club site
St. Louis Car Company
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The St. Louis Car Company was a major United States manufacturer of streetcars and locomotives that existed from 1887–1973, based in St. Louis, Missouri. In the 1940s, St. Louis Car Company was one of the manufacturers of PCC streetcars, a design that was very popular at the time. The firm went on to build some of the vehicles used in the transit systems of New York City and Chicago, as well as the FM OP800 railcars manufactured exclusively for the Southern Railway in 1939. In 1955, SLCC became a division of General Steel Industries and continued business until 1968 and finally ceased operations by 1973.