1974 Rolls Royce Phantom V1 Limousine

1974 Rolls Royce Phantom V1 Limousine

This magnificent limousine holds an important place in modern Western Australia’s history. It arrived in Perth in 1974 for use by the Governor as indicated by the Crown registration plate.

For more than 30 years it has ferried numerous members of the Royal Family, governors general, state governors, state and federal political and community leaders, overseas dignitaries and heroes etc. the car has only travelled 67,000 kilometres and is one of only 365 built between 1968 and 1992. Very few came to Australia.

In 2020 the Rolls Royce was donated to the Motor Museum of Western Australia by the Governor of Western Australia, the Hon Kim Beazley.

The below is an account from our volunteer, Carolyn, who recalls seeing the 1974 Rolls Royce Phantom V1 Limousine for the very first time.

1982 State Royal Visit

The abovementioned vehicle is special to me for two reasons. During my first year of volunteering at the Motor Museum of Western Australia, I volunteered my services for the Government House open day weekends in April and October 2023. The 1974 Rolls Royce Phantom V1 Limousine was the museum’s contribution to the open day displays and activities. It has been my privilege to promote the Motor Museum of Western Australia, to chat and hear stories from people of when they have seen the queen during her many visits to Western Australia. People are fascinated by the beauty of this limousine and the fact that it has been used to ferry dignitaries for so many years.

For me personally, I believe this limousine was the vehicle used to ferry the Royal Family around Perth during their State visit in 1982.

I recall coming out of a café in Hay Street Mall one day and wondering why a crowd of people had gathered along Barrack Street. My friend and I decided join in and see what was happening. To our surprise and delight, after waiting only about five minutes, we see Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11 and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip being chauffeur driven down Barrack Street.

We could not have timed it better, coming out of the café when we did, standing only metres from the queen. A visit to turn what was an ordinary shopping day into an extraordinary day.