Home in London in the spring of 1967, Lennon commissioned a fresh paint scheme with J.P. Fallon Ltd., a coachbuilder in Surrey. Source Forbes.com Here
There’s some magical mystery about genesis of the concept, but it seems that Marijke Koger of the artist’s collective The Fool suggested a Romany theme similar to the refurbished gypsy caravan in Lennon’s home garden. Fallon commissioned local artist Steve Weaver, and the work was completed six weeks later. The Romany designs were executed in common house paint, which has required considerable maintenance over the years. The car, however, still runs.
Lennon and Yoko Ono took the car to the U.S. in 1970. The Phantom was frequently loaned to other rock bands of the era to serve as a shuttle. Due to tax issues, Lennon donated it to the Cooper Hewitt Museum in 1974.
Sotheby’s sold the car at auction in 1985 to British Columbia billionaire entrepreneur James “Jimmy” Pattison for his chain of Ripley’s
“Believe It or Not” Museums for $2.29 million. Pattison donated the car in 1987 for museum exhibit. In 2014, it was displayed in Vancouver for “Magical Mystery Tour: A Beatles Memorabilia Exhibition.”
Lennon’s Phantom returns to London for the gathering, Great Eight Phantoms, to celebrate arrival of the new Phantom VIII, where it will exemplify the eccentric side of Rolls-Royce
Recently A 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (Pagoda) belonging to Beetles legend John Lennon was auctioned off in the U.S. for USD 225K.
Bearing the original U.K. registration numbers GCP 196C, this very special 230 SL was originally delivered to John Winston Lennon (M.B.E) in 1965 and retains the original documentation and logbook documents, even bearing the music icon’s signature on the registration.
GCP 196C was owned by several British owners before making its way to the U.S. in the mid-1980s. The car has subsequently been owned by a number of collectors and museums before going to auction last week. according to carlist.my
