John Lennon's missing Rolls-Royce rides again
An automotive icon of the swinging Sixties, John Lennon’s white 1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, has been back on the road this summer for the first time in more than 30 years, writes Chris Adamson.
The highlight of its year has been appearing at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club annual rally at Burghley House, where among those to see it was recently retired car sales director Steve Easton, who sold Lennon the car 50 years ago.
In late 1966, Easton was an 18-year-old trainee salesman with Golden Wheels Garages in Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, a Fiat main dealer that also specialised in used sports cars.
On this particular day Easton’s sales director was out of the office and he was in charge when in walked Les Anthony, Lennon’s chauffeur. He told Easton that Lennon was looking for a second Rolls-Royce Phantom V to go with the black limousine (registration FJB 111C) he had acquired the year before – it was this example that would be painted in the famous psychedelic colour scheme.
