Beatles: John Lennon's 1965 "Psychedelic" Rolls-Royce Limo

This car was manufactured in 1965 by the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Crewe, Cheshire. The car was fitted with a limousine body by Mulltner Park Ward and finished in Valentines Black and was delivered to John Lennon on June 3, 1965

On December 21, 1965, John ordered a Sterno Radio Telephone. In 1966, the car had the rear seat modified to convert to a double bed. A custom interior/exterior sound system was installed along with a "loud hailer." Other features installed were: Sony television, telephone and a portable refrigerator.

John eventually became restless with the "matt black overall" on the car and so in April of 1967, he had in mind the possibility of having his car painted "psychedelic".

The newly painted psychedelic car drew some public outrage when a old woman in downtown London attacked the car using her umbrella and yelling: "You swine, you swine! How dare you do this to a Rolls-Royce." Obviously, the Rolls-Royce is passionately regarded in England as one of the many symbols of British dignity!
Rolls-Royce company was appalled at this custom painted psychedelic-theme and launches a formal complaint.

The Beatles used the Rolls exclusively in their heyday from 1966 to 1969. In 1970, John had the Phantom V shipped to the United States. The car was loaned out to several rock stars such as the Rolling Stones, the Moody Blues, and Bob Dylan.

From October 3, 1978 to January 7, 1979, the car was put on public display at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum and then returned to storage at Silver Hill, Maryland. There, the car would remain in storage and kept from public viewing for a while. The reason for this was because the museum could not afford the insurance coverage for public viewing on a fulltime basis.

In June 1985 the car sold for $2,299.000.00 at Sotheby's making it the worlds most expensive car.

In summer of 2007 the limousine was on tour with a "Rock Star's, Cars and Guitar's" tour, some of these shots are from the Henry Ford Museum.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Beatles
• Beatle
• John
• Lennon
• limousine
• limo
• Rolls
• Royce

[BeatleBum01]

Well don't fucking look at it you douche.

[9jem]

i want that car it is one of the best rolls royce phantom vs to been seen

[billmills]

It's beuatiful, but not really "psycheldelic". This is more like the kind of art style you might find on fine English tea set. But, it is gorgeous and a show use of great wealth for the time. Right on John! Verrrrfry groovy, man.

[makiavelli999]

John Lennon and Keith Richards used to go on road trips in Keefs Bentley and they were so stoned they didn't know where they been or how long! lol

[PuffSmelly]

saw it yesterday at the victoria museum damn amazing

[chaoinspace2]

They need to get this car back from the guy who bought it, so they can give it to Yoko, Paul, or Ringo.

[MilkweedTheif]

baby i would drive that car.....

[mudmessiah]

Was this the original "Yellow Submarine..?"

[xDisasterArea]

@BeatleBum01 one of?!!???! O.o wtf are you smokingg b.b



[browndragon47]

I'm reading a biography on John Lennon right now, and it talks about how the Beatles used to hotbox this baby on the way where ever they went! I think john was a bigger stoner than some realize.

[googlefreak7]

@kentukydoctor ya but that thing is kick-ass