Shaquille O’Neal has never been a man who does things on a small scale, whether he’s dominating a basketball court or shopping for luxury cars. Now, one of the Rolls-Royces once owned by the NBA legend is looking for a new home.
This 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom is currently listed on Bring a Trailer, and it comes with an interesting ownership history. Shaq bought the car new and kept it until 2018, which is a pretty long relationship by celebrity car collection standards.
Finished in Silver and Contrast Silver over light gray leather, the Phantom is every bit as imposing as you’d expect. It also has 45,000 miles on the clock, so it clearly hasn’t spent its entire life sitting in a garage.
The auction is scheduled to end on November 3, giving interested buyers a chance to acquire a piece of basketball and automotive history.
Shaq Apparently Bought Three Rolls-Royces To Prove A Point
According to a story O’Neal has told about his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, he once visited a Rolls-Royce dealership wearing casual clothes. After repeatedly asking about prices, a salesman questioned whether he could actually afford the cars.
Shaq’s response was rather expensive. Instead of walking away, he bought three Rolls-Royces on the spot, although it’s unclear whether this particular Phantom was one of them.
It’s the sort of shopping trip most people would need several lifetimes to recover from financially. For a four-time NBA champion, apparently it was just another afternoon.
A V12 And Plenty Of Luxury
Under that enormous hood sits a naturally aspirated 6.75-liter V12 producing 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels, delivering the effortless performance expected from a Phantom.
Inside, there’s light gray leather, walnut burl wood trim, lambswool floor mats, and six-zone climate control. Rear passengers get heated seats, footrests, and picnic tables, while umbrellas are tucked into the rear-hinged doors. Naturally, the self-righting wheel badges and retractable Spirit of Ecstasy are present, too.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before Bidding
The car isn’t completely flawless, despite its celebrity connection. Its Carfax report lists damage in January 2018, and the seller believes two body panels have been repainted.
There’s also some interior wear, a missing center-console clip, and an illuminated tire-pressure warning light. None of those details should be overlooked when shopping for a used luxury car with potentially expensive maintenance bills.
Still, it’s not every day that a former Shaquille O’Neal Rolls-Royce comes up for sale. The next owner won’t need to be seven feet tall to enjoy it, although a bank account worthy of an NBA superstar might come in handy when the maintenance bills arrive.