Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 7 December 2010
The 7.7 litre 6 cylinder Phantom II, introduced in 1929 was the first large horsepower Rolls-Royce with a completely re-designed chassis - the Phantom I having a chassis which was based on that of the late Silver Ghost.
The introduction of the Phantom II coincided with the beginning of the era when the design of coachwork on luxury motor cars reached its peak. Barker and Co., who from the introduction of the Silver Ghost in 1907 became the company’s coachbuilder of choice, were famous for this style of open body known as a ‘barrel sided tourer’. When the style was first introduced in about 1920 it became an instant success,especially among the Maharajahs of India who ordered it to be fitted to both the small horse power 20 hp and the larger 40/50 hp Silver Ghost – it is also to be found on the 40/50hp Phantom I.
This car is the only example of this timelessly attractive body