John Lennon
1965 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
Before the yellow, there was black
- Connection
- Former owner · custom commission
- When
- Ordered in December 1964
- Identity
- Chassis 5VD73 · Mulliner Park Ward
John Lennon ordered his Phantom V in December 1964. Rolls-Royce identifies it as the 1965 car with chassis 5VD73. He requested black inside and out, including much of the exterior trim. The grille and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot kept their bright finish.
The car later acquired the yellow paint, flowers and swirling decoration associated with it today. Rolls-Royce dates that transformation to May 1967. Its history shows how one individual car can have several very different appearances: the original commission and the later painted version belong to the same story.
Sources for this story
The manufacturer identifies the commission and chassis. Unconfirmed stories about cabin equipment are not treated as specifications here.
- Black Badge: Born from Heritage · 1965 Phantom VRolls-Royce Motor Cars · 2021-10-18 · external source
Model year, chassis, commission, coachbuilder and original black finish.
- A Century of Power and Influence: The Rolls-Royce Phantom at 100Rolls-Royce Motor Cars · 2025 · external source
May 1967 repainting and the yellow floral design.
Reviewed
How we identified the photographed car
- Photo identity evidence
Rolls-Royce identifies Lennon’s commissioned 1965 Phantom V as 5VD73, later repainted yellow with flowers, Romany scrolls, and zodiac signs.
- Photo identity evidence
The museum’s March 2013 release states that Lennon’s actual Phantom V was on loan from the Royal BC Museum for 29 March 2013–30 March 2014 and describes its transport into the exhibit.
- Photo identity evidence
The dated/geotagged Commons photo identifies that exhibit and the Royal BC Museum loan. Its visible yellow paintwork and exact exhibit context support the identity.
The matching photographer, venue, date and vehicle history establish the identification; the chassis stamp is not visible in these photographs.