Details
1933 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II CONTINENTAL FAUX CABRIOLET
(FIXED HEAD COUPE)
COACHWORK BY GURNEY NUTTING
Chassis number: 170-MY
Engine number: CJ-35
Black with beige leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, 7,668cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension :solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Right
hand drive.
The Roll-Royce Phantom II is considered by many authorities of pre-war Rolls-Royces to be the best Rolls-Royce ever built. It had the classic lines that said "luxury" and "performance" all in one. The Phantom II was made from 1929 to 1935 during which time some 1,767 were produced. It was the last of the "Big Six" models and considered the finest achievement of the master Sir Frederick Henry Royce. The engine actually grew out of the six used in the Phantom I, but was improved before Royce's death with an aluminium cylinder head and revised manifolding. In the Phantom II, the cantilever springs of the Phantom I were replaced by supple half elliptic rear springs. The chassis was lower and so in turn was the centre of gravity, weight was reduced and the steering much improved. The Phantom II also had centralized chassis lubrication, twin ignition systems, one by coil and battery and the other by magneto, firing six plugs each. At the end of 1932, a new improved gearbox was introduced.
In 1931 the sporting version of the Phantom II arrived, the Continental, and was to become one of the motoring legends of the thirties. Based on the short 144 inch chassis and with a 5.25:1 compression and a higher axle ration, a genuine 100mph was possible; it was very much built for the owner driver who considered himself an enthusiast. The majestic Rolls-Royce radiator and low drivetrain provided a superb platform for elegant coachwork. It inspired some of the best proportioned and most beautiful designs of the era.
Many coachbuilders bodied the Phantom II including Hooper, Mulliner, Barker, Windovers, Freestone & Webb in England and still others on the Continent. 170-MY has coachwork by the famous British coachbuilder Gurney Nutting who are known for producing the prettiest designs ever to be fitted to a Rolls-Royce chassis. It has spectacular "faux cabriolet" (fixed head coupe) coachwork and was originally sold by Jack Barclay Ltd., of Hannover Square, London to a Sir H. Cunliffe-Owen, of Sunningdale Park, Ascot.
This beautiful car was unique in the fact that its coachwork was ordered by Jack Barclay Ltd. rather than through the usual Gurney Nutting outlet of H.R. Owen. It reputedly involved a design infringement by Barclay and caused an irate response from H.R. Owen, who were apparently concerned about the superb elegance of the design and consequently the future sale of their own cars; indeed they requested Gurney Nutting not to produce any further examples to these particular specifications.
The very rakish coachwork of this car is finished in black with beige leather interior and is complimented with a lovely polished wooden dash and door cappings. Twin rear mounted spare wheels and polished wheel discs accentuate the tremendous styling and the car still retains its original engine, which was noted on the factory build sheet as being "specially tuned for speed". .
170-MY is offered from the motoring stable of a discerning English collector who purchased it from the Blackhawk Collection some years ago. The car was the subject of a major restoration and has been maintained in excellent order. It was invited to compete at the famous annual Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance at Bagatelle in Paris and is photographed in various publications including "Automobile Quarterly" (volume 15, number 1) and the definitive book "The Phantom II Continental" on pages 164 and 167.
Christie's were proud to sell a standard Owen Sedanca "faux cabriolet" in New York on 1 April 1995, which achieved a price of $211,500. The spectacular design of the unique coachwork of 170-MY makes this perhaps the most important Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental to be offered for sale in recent years.
(FIXED HEAD COUPE)
COACHWORK BY GURNEY NUTTING
Chassis number: 170-MY
Engine number: CJ-35
Black with beige leather interior
Engine: six cylinder, 7,668cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension :solid axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs. Right
hand drive.
The Roll-Royce Phantom II is considered by many authorities of pre-war Rolls-Royces to be the best Rolls-Royce ever built. It had the classic lines that said "luxury" and "performance" all in one. The Phantom II was made from 1929 to 1935 during which time some 1,767 were produced. It was the last of the "Big Six" models and considered the finest achievement of the master Sir Frederick Henry Royce. The engine actually grew out of the six used in the Phantom I, but was improved before Royce's death with an aluminium cylinder head and revised manifolding. In the Phantom II, the cantilever springs of the Phantom I were replaced by supple half elliptic rear springs. The chassis was lower and so in turn was the centre of gravity, weight was reduced and the steering much improved. The Phantom II also had centralized chassis lubrication, twin ignition systems, one by coil and battery and the other by magneto, firing six plugs each. At the end of 1932, a new improved gearbox was introduced.
In 1931 the sporting version of the Phantom II arrived, the Continental, and was to become one of the motoring legends of the thirties. Based on the short 144 inch chassis and with a 5.25:1 compression and a higher axle ration, a genuine 100mph was possible; it was very much built for the owner driver who considered himself an enthusiast. The majestic Rolls-Royce radiator and low drivetrain provided a superb platform for elegant coachwork. It inspired some of the best proportioned and most beautiful designs of the era.
Many coachbuilders bodied the Phantom II including Hooper, Mulliner, Barker, Windovers, Freestone & Webb in England and still others on the Continent. 170-MY has coachwork by the famous British coachbuilder Gurney Nutting who are known for producing the prettiest designs ever to be fitted to a Rolls-Royce chassis. It has spectacular "faux cabriolet" (fixed head coupe) coachwork and was originally sold by Jack Barclay Ltd., of Hannover Square, London to a Sir H. Cunliffe-Owen, of Sunningdale Park, Ascot.
This beautiful car was unique in the fact that its coachwork was ordered by Jack Barclay Ltd. rather than through the usual Gurney Nutting outlet of H.R. Owen. It reputedly involved a design infringement by Barclay and caused an irate response from H.R. Owen, who were apparently concerned about the superb elegance of the design and consequently the future sale of their own cars; indeed they requested Gurney Nutting not to produce any further examples to these particular specifications.
The very rakish coachwork of this car is finished in black with beige leather interior and is complimented with a lovely polished wooden dash and door cappings. Twin rear mounted spare wheels and polished wheel discs accentuate the tremendous styling and the car still retains its original engine, which was noted on the factory build sheet as being "specially tuned for speed". .
170-MY is offered from the motoring stable of a discerning English collector who purchased it from the Blackhawk Collection some years ago. The car was the subject of a major restoration and has been maintained in excellent order. It was invited to compete at the famous annual Louis Vuitton Concours d'Elegance at Bagatelle in Paris and is photographed in various publications including "Automobile Quarterly" (volume 15, number 1) and the definitive book "The Phantom II Continental" on pages 164 and 167.
Christie's were proud to sell a standard Owen Sedanca "faux cabriolet" in New York on 1 April 1995, which achieved a price of $211,500. The spectacular design of the unique coachwork of 170-MY makes this perhaps the most important Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental to be offered for sale in recent years.