1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Open Two-Seater

This Rolls-Royce Phantom II was originally owned by R.C. Grew of Boston and was acquired in the early 1950s by Douglas Rogers from his estate. It was an unusual right-hand-drive chassis supplied to the United States and it is believed to have worn a body (presumably) built by J.S. InskpInskip in the former Brewster Works, and resembling Inskip's Trouville design for the Phantom III.

Mr. Rogers later sketched a design for the Phantom II, giving it a dramatic two-passenger coachwork with deeply crowned fenders and a 'dipped' beltline inspired by the Darrin-bodied Packards. The sketches were sent to London coachbuilders Hooper & Company in 1954 and although their business was winding down, completed the coachwork. Shortly after completion, the firm notified customers that it would cease building new coachwork, making this vehicle the final Phantom II bodied by the firm, and among the last new bodies created for the chassis by any original coachbuilder.

Mr. Rogers was actively involved in the build process, even requesting the fenders be shaped from stainless steel. Hooper protested, stating that aluminum fenders would be a better product as it was easier to mold, sufficient for the task, and rustproof. Instead, Mr. Rogers shaped the stainless steel fenders to his own specification at a machine shop at General Electric. It is believed that the final installation and completion of the body were done by Mr. Rogers.

In keeping with the car's sporty persona, a rear leaf spring was removed to lower the ride height, and the engine was given a high-compression cylinder head. The 7,668cc overhead-valve inline 6 produces 120 horsepower and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Stopping power is courtesy of four-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes.

When Mr. Rogers exhibited 54UK at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club meet in Montreal, Quebec, it was awarded both major honors, the Rolls-Royce Trophy and the Hooper Award—the only automobile to have received both awards.

This Phantom II remained with Mr. Rogers until 1992 when it was sold to the previous owner. Subsequently, the car underwent a complete frame-up restoration, a joint effort between the owner and Rolls-Royce specialist, Jeff McDonald of McDonald Vintage Restorations in Canby, Oregon, with the owner handling much of the mechanical work. The color scheme was changed to Delft Blue with cream inserts in a bare-metal repaint. The interior remains the tan Connolly leather fitted in the late 1950s.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2022