Richard Harris, renowned for his role as the first Harry Potter actor, lived a life of unbridled excess. His love for luxury was epitomized by his acquisition of a Rolls-Royce Phantom V during the height of his fame in the 1960s. The prestigious car became a symbol of his success and public persona.
After starring in ‘The Heroes of Telemark’ in 1965, Harris reportedly received the Rolls-Royce Phantom V. While living in New York, he parked the vehicle in a garage but, amid a whirlwind of work and personal chaos, it was forgotten. The car remained stored in the New York parking garage for 25 years, accumulating significant unpaid parking fees estimated between $92,000 and $543,000.
The rediscovery of Harris’s Rolls-Royce is a tale worthy of fiction. It wasn’t until Harris stumbled upon an old photograph of himself with the car that he began to inquire about its whereabouts. His bookkeeper eventually confirmed that the vehicle remained registered in Harris’s name and was still stored in the New York garage.
The fate of the Rolls-Royce Phantom V after its rediscovery remains unclear. Some accounts suggest Harris reclaimed the car before his death in 2002 and shipped it back to the UK. Others claim that after his passing, his ex-wife sold the car to help settle the accrued parking fees.
Regardless of its final resting place, the story of Richard Harris’s abandoned Rolls-Royce has become an enduring legend in Hollywood’s automotive history. It perfectly encapsulates the actor’s larger-than-life image and extravagant lifestyle.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom V: A Symbol of Luxury
The Rolls-Royce Phantom V, acquired by Harris in the 1960s, was more than just a mode of transportation; it was a status symbol. Known for its grandeur and luxury, the Phantom V represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence during that era.
Richard Harris: A Life of Excess
Richard Harris was known for his lavish lifestyle, and the story of his forgotten Rolls-Royce is just one of many tales that highlight his extravagance. The actor’s life was marked by periods of intense fame and personal turmoil, often simultaneously.
The legend of Richard Harris’s Rolls-Royce Phantom V continues to captivate fans of automotive history and celebrity culture. Whether entirely factual or partially embellished, the story stands as a testament to the actor’s extravagant lifestyle and the unpredictable nature of his life.
