All Weather Phaeton
Asking $295,000
Reasonable Offers Encouraged
Rolls-Royce Limited was an English car and, later, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls in 1906 and was the result of a partnership formed in 1904. In 1884, Royce started an electrical and mechanical business. He made his first car, a "Royce", in his Manchester factory in 1904. He was introduced to Rollsin Manchester in that year, and the pair agreed to a deal where Royce would manufacture cars, to be sold exclusively by Rolls. A clause was added to the contract stipulating the cars would be called "Rolls-Royce". The company was formed in 1906, and moved to Derby in 1908.
The Silver Ghost (1906-1925) was responsible for the company's early reputation. It had a 6-cylinder engine; 6173 cars were built. In 1921, the company opened a second factory in Springfield, MA to help meet US demand, where a further 1701 "Springfield Ghosts" were built. This factory operated for 10 years, closing in 1931. Its chassis was used as a basis for the first British armoured car used in both World Wars.In 1931, the company acquired rival car makerBentley, whose finances were unable to weather the Great Depression. From then until 2002, Bentley and Rolls-Royce cars were often identical apart from the radiator grille and minor details.Rolls-Royce and Bentley car production moved to Crewe in 1946, and also to Mulliner Park Ward, London, in 1959, as the company started to build bodies for its cars for the first time: previously it had built only the chassis, leaving the bodies to specialist coachbuilders.
The Phantom was the replacement for the original Ghost. Like the famed Ghost, the Phantom was constructed both in the UK and US, with the US model trailing the UK by one year on introduction and two in replacement.One major improvement over the Silver Ghost was the new pushrod OHV Straight 6 engine. Constructed, as was state of the art at the time, as three groups of two cylinders with detachable heads, the large engine produced excellent power to pull the large heavy car. The engine used a 4¼ in bore and long 5½ in stroke for a total of 7.7 L of displacement. Aluminum was substituted for cast iron in the cylinder heads in 1928. Differences between the US and UK models included available wheelbases— both were specified with the same 143½ in base length, but the UK long-wheelbase model was longer at 150½ than the 146½ in American version. Other differences included the transmission, with UK models using a 4-speed and US models using a 3-speed, both with a single dry-plate clutch.
The Phantom II replaced the New Phantom in Rolls-Royce's offerings in 1929. It shared the 7.7 L pushrod-OHV straight-6 engine from its predecessor, being the last large six-cylinder Rolls. The engine was unitary with a 4-speed manual transmission. Synchromesh was added on gears 3 and 4 in 1932 and on gear 2 in 1935. Semi-elliptical springs suspended the front and, in a change from its predecessor, the rear. 4-wheel servo-assisted brakes were also specified.
281 Continental Phantom II's were also produced, including 125 left-hand drive versions.
In all 1,281 chassis left the factory.
This car was originally sold to an American living in England. Detailed records on the car since it was brand-new, including the original factory build sheet, go with the car to the new owner. It was moved to New York City prior to World War II. After the War it stayed in the Philadelphia area until the current owner purchased it in 1994. It was restored by the previous owner in the late 1980's and won second place at the RROC national meet. It was showed at Pebble Beach (not for judging) around 1995 and also at the national Rolls Forest meet in Monterey, California the same year, placing second. Since then the current owner has had the engine rebuilt by Sam Rawlins at Rolls Royce Service in Atlanta, and had a new radiator from England fitted.
The stunning and unusual Hooper Coachwork features Roll up Windows, and subtle design cues like the slanted door openings and Windshield Frame. The appropriate Green Livery is perfectly complemented by the Tan Hides and Top. The fully detailed Engine Bay accentuates the Engineering Complexity of the Legendary Phantom 6. The brightwork, wood work, and plating are in exceptional condition, and while an older restoration, this car presents very well and will be most welcome at the most important shows in the world.The car remains in excellent condition save a few issues of paint cracking that are only visible upon close scrutiny.
This is one of the finest Phantom IIs produced. The stately yet sporting design, unquestioned provenance, and documented history make this car stand out amongst it peers.
This is an important car.
