Rolls-Royce Phantom II

History

1934 ROLLS ROYCE PHANTOM II The introduction in September 1929 of the Phantom II chassis from Rolls Royce marked the final flowering of a series of magnificent six cylinder cars designed to take on and beat the very best of the worlds luxury motor car productions almost regardless of cost. The Phantom II was developed from its predecessor, the New Phantom which in turn was derived from the legendary Silver Ghost, but the new design represented a significant advance in every respect. The engine and gearbox were now in unit, and the rear springs, formerly cantilevered were now conventional underslung semi elliptics, and a redesigned front axel gave the car much improved stability under braking. This, the final design from Sir Henry Royce himself produced a much more driveable, faster and better handling car, of more modern aspect in every respect and finally leaving behind the vestiges of Edwardian design, but continued to be built to enormously high standards. These magnificent chassis lent themselves to the very best examples of Europe\'s coachbuilders.Chassis 183RY was no exception, having being delivered in 1934 to her first owner Lord Fairhaven with a large and magnificent sedancalette de ville body by Barkers, one of the finest coachbuilders ever on these chassis. The cost was ?1,749, 3s 9d for the chassis alone, with a similar amount for the body, resulting in a total of about ?3,500; enough in 1934 to buy a whole street of houses! Ownership of 183RY then passed to Lord Churston who took the car to Kenya in about 1952. It was then sold to a rancher who had a woody shooting brake body built for her. In 1968, John Jeeves, a farmer bought the car, which was still in Kenya, with a view to future restoration. Work started in Rhodesia in 1971. A comprehensive mechanical rebuild was carried out, with an overdrive being fitted to allow stress free and relaxed cruising, and superb replica Barker Sedanca Coup? coachwork was fitted. This was constructed of aluminium panelling on a Japanese oak frame (to resist African termites) and faithfully replicates the splendid lines of the original design. It was at this point that the car was returned to the U.K. and purchase by her present owner, who christened her ?Zulu? for her tall slender frame, affinity with scarlet and forty summers spent beneath an African sky. A systematic programme of restoration was now undertaken to bring the car to its present magnificent state. Finding a very small run out on the crankshaft, the bottom end of the original engine No PX65 was replaced with that from the replacement engine no WR65, and the whole was then completely rebuilt over a t-year period at a cost of some ?21,000. This rebuild was the subject of a photographic record which goes with the car. At the same time, a steel loop was fitted internally and invisibly into the body to allow the fitting of inertia reel safety belts to all four seats. A new stainless steel exhaust system but with steel down pipes to preserve the correct exhaust note has been fitted, the clutch was relined and the coachwork and cream leather interior brought up to its present standard. All six wheels were rebuilt and fitted with new Dunlop tyres. This expensive and sensible work has resulted in a very strong and useable car for today?s roads, which will overdrive on all gears will cruise at 70mph in a relaxed and calm manner whilst retaining the renowned Phantom II handling and powerful brakes. The car is fitted with a set of magnificent Lucas P100 projector headlamps and chrome trumpet horns, and of course a Phantom sized ?Spirit of Ecstasy? mascot and plain cap for use when parked. The original engine parts from PX65 are included with this lot, as are some useful spares, (wheel trims etc) and photocopies of the original Rolls Royce chassis build cards, an owners handbook and recent MOT certificates. Altogether this is a superb example of the finest of the Rolls Royce chassis from the pinnacle of production. It is fitted with a splendid and extraordinarily imposing coach built body, and has been sensibly renovated to allow reliable use in today?s conditions. The standard of work undertaken can perhaps be judged by the fact that 183RY won the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Clubs major award ?The Spirit of Ecstasy? trophy in 1998, and was given the final accolade of ?Most Elegant Phantom? in 2002. Rolls Royce Phantom II cars of the quality do not come onto the market very often these days, and this represents an opportunity to acquire one of the very best. Estimate ?60,000-?75,000