Details
1931 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II
COACHWORK BY BREWSTER
Chassis No. 201AJS
Engine No. R25E
Black over blue with blue leather front and blue cloth rear interior.
Engine: six-cylinder, iron cylinder head, overhead valves, 7,668cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel internal expanding servo-assisted drum; Suspension: semi-elliptic front and rear springs. Left hand drive.
In 1929 the Rolls-Royce Derby works introduced their Phantom II which saw a continuation of their policy of evolution rather than revolution. Although it retained the same engine size as the Phantom I, it had in fact more in common with the 20hp model, being virtually a larger edition of that car. The most notable changes were in the chassis and suspension which for the first time included semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear, the latter being underslung. The 'Springfield' American Phantom I centralised chassis lubricating system was adopted providing oil to every moveable chassis part. The engine, clutch housing and gearbox were now assembled in unit and the previous open propeller shaft and spiral bevel final drive were replaced by the Hotchkiss drive and hypoid bevel rearaxle. The total package was designed to provide greater performance with better handling and braking that put most sports cars to shame, and yet was so flexible it could accelerate briskly from 5 mph in top gear. The Phantom II attracted a younger, more sporting type of owner who was attracted by its 90mph performance, and with its lower chassis line provided the ideal platform for more elegant and imposing coachwork designs.
In 1931 the American Springfield Phantom I production came to a close and Rolls-Royce Derby had already begun to build their AJS and AMS Series for the Phantom II with left hand drive only for the American market. These cars in completed or chassis form only were shipped to Rolls-Royce America for final preparation prior to delivery. The Phantom II offered here bears chassis number 201 AJS, the very first of the AJS series. Many of the AJS and AMS cars had coachbuilt bodies by The Brewster Co. of New York which in 1926 became an integral part of Rolls-Royce Motors. 201 AJS carries a well formed Brewster - Huntington Limousine, listed in John Webb de Campi's book, Rolls-Royce in America as its second body. According to the records of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, only about seventy examples of these AJS and AMS Series cars are known to exist.
201 AJS was originally supplied to Mr. J. B. Ryan of New York City, on September, 9, 1931. Mr. Ryan also took delivery of 202 AJS. The current owner bought the Phantom II in Seattle, 20 years ago. It has benefitted from a respray, although the chrome and glass are original. The aluminum head has also been replaced with the more reliable iron one. This vehicle is said to run and drive well.
COACHWORK BY BREWSTER
Chassis No. 201AJS
Engine No. R25E
Black over blue with blue leather front and blue cloth rear interior.
Engine: six-cylinder, iron cylinder head, overhead valves, 7,668cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel internal expanding servo-assisted drum; Suspension: semi-elliptic front and rear springs. Left hand drive.
In 1929 the Rolls-Royce Derby works introduced their Phantom II which saw a continuation of their policy of evolution rather than revolution. Although it retained the same engine size as the Phantom I, it had in fact more in common with the 20hp model, being virtually a larger edition of that car. The most notable changes were in the chassis and suspension which for the first time included semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear, the latter being underslung. The 'Springfield' American Phantom I centralised chassis lubricating system was adopted providing oil to every moveable chassis part. The engine, clutch housing and gearbox were now assembled in unit and the previous open propeller shaft and spiral bevel final drive were replaced by the Hotchkiss drive and hypoid bevel rearaxle. The total package was designed to provide greater performance with better handling and braking that put most sports cars to shame, and yet was so flexible it could accelerate briskly from 5 mph in top gear. The Phantom II attracted a younger, more sporting type of owner who was attracted by its 90mph performance, and with its lower chassis line provided the ideal platform for more elegant and imposing coachwork designs.
In 1931 the American Springfield Phantom I production came to a close and Rolls-Royce Derby had already begun to build their AJS and AMS Series for the Phantom II with left hand drive only for the American market. These cars in completed or chassis form only were shipped to Rolls-Royce America for final preparation prior to delivery. The Phantom II offered here bears chassis number 201 AJS, the very first of the AJS series. Many of the AJS and AMS cars had coachbuilt bodies by The Brewster Co. of New York which in 1926 became an integral part of Rolls-Royce Motors. 201 AJS carries a well formed Brewster - Huntington Limousine, listed in John Webb de Campi's book, Rolls-Royce in America as its second body. According to the records of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, only about seventy examples of these AJS and AMS Series cars are known to exist.
201 AJS was originally supplied to Mr. J. B. Ryan of New York City, on September, 9, 1931. Mr. Ryan also took delivery of 202 AJS. The current owner bought the Phantom II in Seattle, 20 years ago. It has benefitted from a respray, although the chrome and glass are original. The aluminum head has also been replaced with the more reliable iron one. This vehicle is said to run and drive well.