1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

This Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental wears one-of-a-kind Thrupp & Maberly coachwork. It was the first of the improved SK series of Continental chassis, introduced late in the model's limited production run. The chassis was originally specified with an F-rake positioned steering wheel and an exhaust pipe that was 9-inches longer than standard. Upon completion, the chassis was sent on June 8th of 1934 to London-based coachbuilder, Thrupp & Maberly. It was originally built to the order of Rowland Smith, a director of the Rootes Group. Thrupp & Maberly designed a one-of-a-kind two-seater drophead coupe for the car. It features a low, raked windscreen, cut-down doors, skirted fenders, and a sweeping tail with an integrated dickey seat.

After the coachwork was completed, the car was delivered in August of 1934 to Sir Auckland Campbell-Geddes. Sir Auckland used the Rolls-Royce while touring Europe while on a diplomatic mission. It was then returned to Rowland Smith in October of 1934. In 1937, Anthony H. Bisby became the car's next owner. He retained the car until 1955, where it was sold to David Ickeringill. Tyrone Power purchased the car in 1956. It was then registered as 'TP-1' in the UK, and before exporting it to his home in California, Power had the car serviced and repaired at the Rolls-Royce factory. The car remained in his care until his death in 1958. Later that year, Fred Buess, traded a Silver Ghost for 2SK. Mr. Buess owned the car for more than five decades.

In 2008, a sympathetic restoration began on the Phantom II Continental. Upon completion, it made its post-restoration debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August of 2010 where it was awarded First in Class.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015