Romanian billionaire boasts world’s only car collection with two Rolls-Royce Phantom IVs

With only 18 ever produced, the Phantom IV is one of the most exclusive Rolls-Royce models, and two of them are stored in a Romanian billionaire’s car collection.

This is not your average car collection though – he keeps his fleet in a museum.

And it’s the only place in the world where you can see two of these rare beauties under one roof.

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The Phantom IV was produced in the 1950s and was owned strictly by heads of state and royals.

Queen Elizabeth, a petrolhead in her own right, had one and the Government of Spain ordered three, customized to be bullet-proof.

Some of these models remain in use while others are in museums or public and private collections.

Incredibly, Romanian billionaire Ion Țiriac managed to acquire not one but two of the iconic vehicles for his collection.

What’s so special about the Rolls-Royce Phantom IV

The Phantom IV started as a one-off made specially for Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.

It’s still in the royal garage, wheeled out for special occasions like Prince William’s wedding.

This particular model was only sold to those deemed esteemed enough by the British automaker.

It’s the only Rolls-Royce to have a straight-8 engine, which makes it ideal for covering long distances at a very low speed.

Considering most of the owners would be using it for ceremonies and parades, this was crucial.

Most of the Phantom IV bonnets featured a kneeling version of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Rolls-Royce delivered more Phantom IVs to various royals and heads of state over six years.

In 1956, the Silver Wraith was declared the best vehicle for transporting important citizens and production was ceased.

How two Phantom IVs ended up in a Romanian billionaire’s collection

Ion Țiriac is a tennis pro turned billionaire who has dedicated much of his life and wealth to building an impressive car collection.

He has so many that they’re housed in a museum called the Țiriac Collection, which is open to the public.

This is the same guy who once forgot that he owned a Ferrari F40.

His collection is one of Europe’s biggest and is the only one to feature all 7 Phantom models of the I-VII series.

One is a dark green model that was initially sold to Aga Khan III, the 48th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community.

Rolls-Royce included a clause in each sale that stated these models couldn’t be re-sold.

So it was only after his death that his widow was able to sell it to the Mayfair-Lennox hotel, where it was used to pick up guests.

His other Phantom IV is blue and was used by the factory to transport Lord Hives, the director and chairman of Rolls-Royce.

It was then sold to Princess Marina, the Duchess of Kent before being snapped up by Țiriac.

Both are in spectacular condition, kept behind a rope next to their Phantom family members.

For those not lucky enough to visit this museum, its website offers 360 virtual tours.

Plus a button to replicate the sound of the doors being opened and the horn sound.

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