1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

Manufactured at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby

Saloon body by H.J. Mulliner

Original steel sliding roof

Part of a Swiss private collection for over 40 years and previously also based in Switzerland with a 1972 vehicle registration document

Largely preserved in its original condition

Continuously driven and maintained over the years

Minor work required to get it up and running

Six-cylinder in-line engine with 7.7-litre displacement and 112 hp, light alloy crankcase

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was built by the British luxury car manufacturer from 1929 to 1935 as the successor to the Phantom I at the Derby plant in the United Kingdom, while production of the Phantom I continued in the United States until 1931. The Phantom II was the last model to be developed entirely under the direction and control of company founder F. Henry Royce, from the initial design sketches to production.

The car was powered by an inline six-cylinder engine with overhead valves and a displacement of 7,668 cc, which was taken from its predecessor, the Phantom I. However, the power output was increased to 120 bhp (89 kW) at 3,500 rpm. Power was initially transmitted via an unsynchronised four-speed gearbox. From 1932 onwards, the gears were synchronised one after the other.

The chassis had a rigid front axle on semi-elliptical leaf springs, which also came from the Phantom I. At the rear, there was now a rigid axle also on semi-elliptical leaf springs instead of cantilever springs. All four wheels were equipped with servo-assisted drum brakes. The wheelbase was 3,810 mm. There was also a ‘sportier’ version with a shorter wheelbase of 3,657 mm, which was given the name ‘Continental’ and was targeted at the continental European market.

Rolls-Royce manufactured only the rolling chassis, i.e. the chassis, drivetrain and mechanics. The bodies were built by various coachbuilders – often individually to customer specifications. The best-known coachbuilders for Rolls-Royce were Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper.

A total of 1,281 examples were built at the factory in Derby between 1929 and 1935, a remarkable number. Only 125 of these models were left-hand drive.