Spectral imagery has characterised the Rolls-Royce oeuvre ever since the Silver Ghost nickname was officially adopted for the 40/50 model in 1907. Fast-forward to 1929 and we find the company releasing the last of its 40/50 derivations, the Phantom II. This was a marked technological improvement over its predecessors, the 7.7-litre pushrod straight-six being bolted directly to the four-speed manual transmission, which received synchromesh on 3rd and 4th gear (and 2nd too for the final model year in 1935).

Rather than using a torque tube, power was transmitted via an open driveshaft and a Hotchkiss drive, and the all-new chassis featured semi-elliptical leaf springs and four-wheel servo-assisted brakes for a superior blend of ride comfort, performance and safety.
The car we have here is a 1935 model; as was the style of the times, Rolls-Royce would only supply the chassis and running gear with the body crafted by one of a variety of approved coachbuilders, and this one was bodied by H.J. Mulliner & Co Ltd of Chiswick.

A Sedanca model (meaning that the roof can be removed over the driver’s section), it’s been repainted in white and offers the sort of opulent luxury within that one would expect of a 1930s Rolls.

 

Luxury is the watchword with a Rolls-Royce, that’s always been the case. And luxury is precisely what you can expect from this Phantom II. The driver’s section is trimmed in tan leather, with elegant and substantial wood trim across the dash and door cappings. The steering wheel is in good order, and the pull cords on the doors are impressively sturdy ropes.

The rear section can be separated from the front via a glass screen which raises and lowers via an internal handle (all fully functional). The rear cabin is trimmed in blue cloth, with the rear bench complete with armrests having the feel of a comfy and richly stuffed sofa. There’s oodles of legroom, and on either side is a foldaway picnic table complete with hidden storage cubby. The carpets have been renewed, and the headlining and doorcards are tidy.

The boot opens via a detachable handle; the bootlid lies flat like a table when opened, with a lift-up panel revealing tool storage inside.

Originally finished in black, the Phantom II has been repainted in white. While it isn’t a perfect paint job, it presents tidily overall and photographs well, making it ideal for wedding use, which was presumably the thinking behind the repaint. The chrome gleams beautifully on the bumpers and trim, and of course the imposing grille which is such a Rolls-Royce icon. The grille features slats that can be opened and closed depending on ambient temperature and cooling requirements.

The wire wheels are all in tidy condition with nice straight spokes. The front tyres appear to have been replaced not too long ago; the rears are somewhat perished, although tyres of this size and style are easily obtainable from specialists such as Longstone.

The window glass and light lenses are all in good condition, again with the chromework gleaming. The correct badges are present, and the Spirit of Ecstasy can be replaced by an optional Wilmot Breeden ‘Calormeter’ temperature gauge if required. 

The Phantom II was equipped with a venerable drivetrain, engineered as much for smoothness and refinement as for readily available power. As folklore dictates, Rolls-Royce famously never published power figures for their cars, preferring to use terms such as ‘adequate’ or ‘ample’ depending how saucy the press officer was feeling, but with the Phantom II’s 7.7-litre straight-six we can assume a peak of around 120bhp, delivered in traditional torque-rich style.

This Phantom II’s radiator will require a certain amount of attention from its new keeper, as there’s a water leak in one corner (visible from head-on on the bottom left of the radiator); the car has been used reliably as a wedding car with the water periodically topped up during use. And a huge plus point for this engine is that it had its cylinder head replaced in 2015 at a cost of £10,953.

This isn’t just a car, it’s a portal to another age. Think about the other cars that would have been on Britain’s roads through the 1930s and ’40s, and how this imposing Rolls-Royce would have towered over them all. The same is true today, the Phantom II’s magnificence not losing a single iota of impact over the generations.

With a little fettling to get that straight-six humming, this effortlessly luxurious and statuesque motor-car will be ready for events, weddings, parties, or maybe even just nipping to the shops.

After all, Autocar called the 40/50 ‘the best car in the world’, a phrase that Rolls-Royce themselves modestly adopted – and who are we to argue?

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