1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

Henry Royce began experimenting with automobiles in 1903, hoping to combine the smoothness of the steam car, the silence of the electric car, and the utility of the petrol-powered car. By refining and developing the work of others, Mr. Royce's first car, a 10 horsepower vehicle, was among the most refined of its time. His superior product coupled with the talents of consummate automobile marketer, C.S. Rolls, created the most respected name in automotive history. The foundation of the company was built atop the legendary Silver Ghost, followed by the New Phantom, and later the Phantom II.

The Phantom II was reputedly the last model that Henry Royce designed himself. It was introduced in 1929 as a successor to the New Phantom (retrospectively known as the Phantom I) with deliveries commencing in September of that year. While its predecessor inherited its underpinning from the preceding 40/50 hp model (the Silver Ghost), the Phantom II employed an entirely new chassis laid out along the lines of that of the smaller 20hp Rolls-Royce. They were built in two wheelbase lengths of 144- and 150-inches, with the smaller size accomodating the Continental models. It used a new low-slung frame with its radiator positioned far back, enabling coachbuilders to body the car in the modern idiom, resulting in a sleeker design than the contemporary, upright ones of the past.

The engine received extensive revisions but retained the cylinder dimensions and basic layout of the Phantom I. It had two blocks of three cylinders, with an aluminum cylinder head common to both blocks. Updates were made to the combustion chambers, and the head was now of the cross-flow type, with inlet and exhaust manifolds on opposite sides. The magneto/coil dual ignition system remained the same as on the Phantom. The improvements to the engine resulted in enhanced performance, particularly for the Continental models.

The pre-production Phantom II model (26EX) wore a design by Ivan Evernden and was made by Barker & Co (Henry Royce's favorite coachbuilder). It won the Grand Prix d'Honneur at the Biarritz Concours d'Elegance in September 1930.

The Phantom II was in production from 1929 through 1936 with 1,680 examples built. The Rolls-Royce factory in Springfield, Massachusetts had closed in 1931, thus all Phantom II vehicles were built as rolling chassis at Rolls-Royce's factory in Derby. Two US-market series, AJS and AMS, were built at Derby. Rolls-Royce built the chassis and mechanical parts, while the body was made and fitted by a coachbuilder selected by the owner.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2021