The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI is a rare gem in the automotive world, and only 374 chassis were produced over the course of its 23-year run, from 1968 to 1991. Out of these limited editions, only two were built with a unique chassis system that 
In 2006, I had the pleasure of attending the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and it was a wonderful day. The event was set off by the sight of the Fraa Phantom in all its metallic glory. This magnificent vehicle was a huge two-door convertible coupe that was so impressive it could have had its own postcode. With Fiat 130 Coupé headlights running alongside a massive radiator, it looked like an homage to Lady Penelope and FAB 1, but it was much more than that – it was truly beautiful.
While there were various modified Bentley Turbos and Silver Spirits of the Sultan of Brunei, as well as a much less attractive four-door Frua Phantom that the builder failed to complete before his death in 1983, this car marked the end of the era of owner-built Rolls-Royces. All of the other Phantom VIs were limousines that were typically built for heads of state, but the two-door, four-door convertible was designed by Pietro Frua, a stylist and car builder in Turin. It was built on the same large wheelbase of 12 feet.
Despite its proportions, which make it look like a convertible five-star coach, Frua succeeded in creating a giant convertible that only looks truly massive when someone is inside
If we disregard the modified Bentley Turbos and Silver Spirits owned by the Sultan of Brunei, as well as an unfinished four-door Frua Phantom that was left incomplete after the coachbuilder’s death in 1983, it is fair to say that this car marked the end of the era of properly coachbuilt owner-driver Rolls-Royces when it was approved in December 1973.
While all the other Phantom VIs were typically limousines built for heads of state, Pietro Frua, a Turin stylist and coachbuilder, was entrusted to create a two-door, four-seat convertible on the same massive 12-foot wheelbase.
Given its proportions, it could have easily resembled a top-tier open-topped coach, but Frua managed to craft a gigantic convertible that only appeared truly massive when people were seated inside it. Behind the wheel, even full-sized adults looked like children.
The history of the Frua Phantom begins with its first owner, a Swiss diplomat named Simon van Kempen. He desired a luxurious and visually striking vehicle to impress his colleagues from rival embassies in Monte-Carlo, as well as to use as his daily mode of transportation.
Unfortunately, his requests for a specially built 600 from Mercedes-Benz were declined, and Rolls-Royce was unable to offer anything beyond their standard catalog. However, they were willing to sell him a left-drive chassis from a Phantom VI.
Thus, in November 1971, a Phantom VI roller frame was dispatched to the Rolls-Royce dealer in Geneva at a cost of £6265. This marked the beginning of the journey to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that would come to be known as the Frua Phantom.
Once Pietro Frua had received the Phantom VI roller frame, he set about the task of creating a truly unique and luxurious convertible. However, there was a major obstacle in his path – he did not speak English, and nobody in Crewe spoke Italian. This language barrier made it difficult for Frua to source the right Rolls-Royce parts for the car. In those days, there were no emails or faxes to facilitate communication, so the search for the right body parts was a time-consuming process. To save time, foreign parts such as Mercedes door locks were sometimes used. Despite these challenges, Frua was determined to create a masterpiece that would meet the expectations of his client.
However, the client himself, Simon van Kempen, had his own ideas and preferences for the design of the car. He didn’t like the way the front bumper cut through the Frua’s slatted grille, and requested that the modification be made. This further delayed the completion of the car, but Frua was committed to delivering a vehicle that would satisfy his client’s desires. With hard work and perseverance, the Frua Phantom finally began to take shape, as a stunning and unique Rolls-Royce convertible.
The Frua Phantom was an impressive vehicle, powered by the reliable 6.3-litre V8 engine. Despite being one of the largest two-door convertibles built in the post-war era, it was surprisingly easy to handle on the road.
However, the fate of the car might have been quite different had it not been for the determination of its owner, Simon van Kempen. He had commissioned the vehicle with the intention of using it as both a business and a pleasure car. And true to his word, van Kempen drove the car extensively, racking up over 300,000 kilometers on the odometer.
One might imagine that half of that mileage was spent driving around in circles looking for a parking spot, as the car’s massive size would certainly have presented some challenges in that regard. But van Kempen was undeterred, and continued to enjoy his beautiful Frua Phantom for many years to come. And in doing so, he ensured that the car would not disappear into obscurity, but would be remembered as a true masterpiece of automotive engineering.
SRC: https://classiccarsite.us/
