Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX Registration No: YC 9686 Chassis No: 52GN MOT: Exempt Supplied new to Sir George Vernon Proctor Wills Bt., a director of the Imperial Tobacco Company Ltd. Rebodied with highly attractive Two-Door Drophead Coupé coachwork, reputedly by McNeillie Purchased into current ownership in 1999 from The Real Car Company Entered from the estate of co-founder of The Armiger Foundation, and being sold for the charity’s proceeds Much mechanical improvement during the current ownership by marque specialists Overton’s 1 of just 1, 402 Phantom IIs understood to have been produced Introduced at the October, 1929, Olympia Motor Show, the Phantom II was the last of the truly grand six-cylinder Rolls-Royces and the final one to be overseen throughout by F. Henry Royce himself. The chassis was completely new and, rather than the cantilever rear springs of its predecessors, it employed underslung semi-elliptic ones which, along with improvements to the drivetrain, allowed the frame to ride closer to the ground, improving handling. The power came from an updated version of the Phantom I engine, topped by a new aluminium alloy crossflow cylinder head. It was matched to a four-speed manual gearbox, bolted directly to the chassis rails. The four-wheel servo-assisted brake system of the Phantom I was continued, and all Phantom II chassis received a lubrication set-up. The radiator was positioned aft of a reworked beam front axle, further adding to the model’s fresh, low-slung appearance. The resulting elongated bonnet line together with short overhangs created an enticing platform for the coachbuilder’s art, and proved conducive to elegant designs courtesy of the major coachbuilding houses of the day, such as James Young, Park Ward, H. J. Mulliner, Thrupp & Maberly, etc. Capable of over 90mph, the Phantom II remained in production for six years, during which time some 1, 402 are understood to have been made. Records held by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club indicate that chassis number 52GN was originally issued with the Somerset registration ‘YC 9686’, which it pleasingly retains, and was clothed with limousine coachwork by Hooper. The first owner was Sir George Vernon Proctor Wills, Bt. (1887-1931), who was a director of the Imperial Tobacco Company and succeeded to the title of 2nd Baronet Wills of Blagdon, Somerset, in 1926. The present open coachwork was fitted at an unknown date, apparently by a small coachbuilding firm called McNeillie. It was in 1999 that the Phantom was purchased by the late Adrian Berry from well-known Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists The Real Car Company. We are advised that the bodywork had been repainted and possibly restored prior to Mr. Berry taking ownership. During 2015, he commissioned extensive engine work through another marque specialist, Overton Vehicle Overhauls in Shoeburyness. The work saw the engine block rebored and repairs made to the cylinder head, with new pistons being installed along with a reprofiled camshaft. The radiator was cleaned and the Autovac was disassembled and serviced, and the car was then road-tested to Overton’s satisfaction. It returned to their workshops in 2016 to have the brake servo and drums cleaned and reset, with almost £10, 000 spent on the engine and almost £1, 800 on the brakes. As the car was placed into storage during Mr. Berry’s later years, some recommissioning will be required. Mr. Berry was a co-founder of the Armiger Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting apprentices in the heritage motor industry, and all proceeds from the sale will be left to the foundation. The Phantom is offered with invoices from Overton, RREC chassis records and a V5C has been applied for, but has not yet arrived. ** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply** Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2...
