John Lennon's Psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V: A Rock & Roll Masterpiece
Few cars in history are as instantly recognizable as John Lennon’s Psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V. Originally delivered in 1965 in classic black, this luxurious car symbolized wealth and prestige. However, by 1967, at the peak of the psychedelic era, Lennon transformed it into a rolling piece of art, making it one of the most famous cars in rock & roll history.
From Elegance to Psychedelic Art
John Lennon’s Phantom V was no ordinary Rolls-Royce. This model, favored by royalty and world leaders, featured a 6.2L V8 engine, an opulent interior with a built-in record player, and enough space to comfortably chauffeur the biggest rock star on the planet.
But in 1967, inspired by the Summer of Love and the Beatles’ groundbreaking album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lennon decided the car needed a radical new look. He sent it to J.P. Fallon Ltd., a Surrey-based coachbuilder, where artist Steve Weaver hand- painted an elaborate psychedelic floral design over a bright yellow base coat.
A zodiac sign motif was added to the roof, and the car was transformed into a moving symbol of the 1960s counterculture.
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum.
Public Reaction: A Love-Hate Affair
When the newly painted Psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V made its first public appearance in May 1967, it caused a sensation. Fans adored it, seeing it as an extension of Lennon’s bold artistic vision. However, not everyone was impressed, many traditionalists saw it as an act of vandalism.
One famous story claims that an elderly woman attacked the car with an umbrella, yelling, "You swine! How dare you do this to a Rolls-Royce!" This reaction reflected the generational divide of the time, with Lennon and the Beatles pushing artistic and cultural boundaries.
Image courtesy of the Royal BC Museum.
The Phantom V in Beatles History
Lennon’s Rolls-Royce wasn’t just a showpiece, it was actively used during some of the Beatles' most iconic years:
Abbey Road Sessions: The car was often parked outside Abbey Road Studios while the Beatles recorded The White Album, Yellow Submarine, and Let It Be.
Loaned to The Rolling Stones: Further cementing its rock & roll status.
Let It Be Premiere (1969): Lennon arrived at the final Beatles film premiere in his one-of-a-kind Rolls.
This car was a witness to Beatles history, carrying Lennon through the band’s most transformative years.
Where Is John Lennon's Rolls-Royce Now?
After moving to the U.S. in the 1970s, Lennon eventually donated the car in 1977 to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum (now part of the Smithsonian Institution) to raise funds for charity. It later ended up in Canada, where businessman Jim Pattison donated it to the Royal British Columbia Museum, where it remains on display today.
A Lasting Legacy
More than just a car, Lennon’s Psychedelic Rolls-Royce Phantom V represents the rebellious creativity of the 1960s. While many classic Rolls-Royces are preserved in pristine condition, this one remains an artistic and cultural icon, a symbol of a time when music, art, and self-expression knew no limits.
Would you have done the same, or was this the ultimate rock-star move?
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Nick Aylieff | Classic Motors For Sale |
+44(0) 2392 160 809 | www.classicmotorsforsale.com
