GRR

Is this Rolls-Royce Phantom the ultimate way to travel in style?

19th May 2017
Bob Murray

For 92 years the grandest way to travel has been in a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The final touches are now being put to the new eighth-generation model ahead of its unveiling, but meanwhile we have this: older, sportier and, ahem, slightly more affordable – but just as classy.

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It’s a 1933 40/50HP Phantom II, not quite as originally delivered to its splendidly-named first owner, Sir Harley Hugh Dalrymple-Hay. The eminent engineer (he helped design London Underground) ordered the car with HJ Mulliner limousine bodywork but somewhere along the way it was given a makeover and received this rather racy two-seat roadster body, complete with dickey seat. 

Bonhams, which is auctioning the car at its Spa Classic sale at Spa-Francorchamps on May 21st, says it all amounts to a car equally suited to very stylish touring or display on the concours lawn. Presale guide price is £68-100,000.

As a Phantom II, it sits on the new low-slung chassis introduced for the model when it replaced the Phantom I, which was Silver Ghost-based, in 1929. With two wheelbases available, 144 and the 150 inches of this car, Phantom II was much favoured by coachbuilders who could ditch the upright look for much sleeker designs.  

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Performance took a step forward with Phantom II as well, the overhead-valve 7668cc six-cylinder engine gaining lots of enhancements – including crossflow heads – that boosted power. Phantom II is reputedly the last model that Henry Royce designed himself.

After Sir Harley Hugh Dalrymple Hay, the Phantom roadster served as hotel transport for a while – five-star, naturally – before residing with its current owner in Switzerland.

It’s a matching numbers car, says Bonhams, and perfect for that continental jaunt in the sunshine. Count us in! 

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