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Pop-culture classic rolls into Royal B.C. Museum

Last week, John Lennon’s elaborately painted Rolls-Royce rolled out of storage and into the lobby of the Royal B.C. Museum. Lennon bought the car in 1964, and in 1967 commissioned artist Steve Weaver to paint a floral design over the basic black.

Last week, John Lennon’s elaborately painted Rolls-Royce rolled out of storage and into the lobby of the Royal B.C. Museum. Lennon bought the car in 1964, and in 1967 commissioned artist Steve Weaver to paint a floral design over the basic black. It was delivered 10 days before the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Donated to the province by businessman Jim Pattison after Expo 86, the Phantom V has rarely been seen in the years since because its fragile latex paint has to be protected.

It will be on display until April 28, and Times Colonist photographer Darren Stone had a unique opportunity to shoot the whole vehicle, inside and out.