Cars

Best of British at Shannons Sydney Spring sale

• Fabulous Rolls-Royce Phantom II ‘Continental’ with original Park Ward coachwork

• Very desirable Bentley 3-Litre Tourer with continuous history

• Bentley 4.25-litre ‘Derby’ with original James Young coachwork

Shannons have the best of British luxury and sporting cars at its upcoming Sydney Spring Classic Auction on November 5, with a stunning 1934 Rolls-Royce and two magnificent Pre-War Bentleys crossing the block.

The stand-out of the trio for Rolls-Royce enthusiasts is a fabulous Phantom II completed to ‘Continental’ specification, with distinctive Sports Saloon coachwork by Park Ward.

Off-test on June 25, 1934, chassis 24SK dates from relatively late in the Phantom II production run and as such incorporates a host of minor improvements carried out over the model’s lifespan.

The Phantom has passed through a number of careful hands during its 84 years, the most recent ones in Australia, since it arrived in 1985.

Beautifully presented, the Phantom II has been extensively restored and maintained without regard to expense over the years, with the recent addition of a modern power steering system improving its driving experience, while it retains all its major original components, including its engine and coachwork.

As one of approximately 10 Phantom II Continentals left in Australia and certainly one of the most significant Rolls-Royce vehicles in the country, Shannons expect it to attract world-wide interest, and are quoting a guiding range of $280,000-$320,000.

Rivalling the Phantom II for desirability is a lovely Bentley 3-litre in the style of Vanden Plas, that was built on the standard 10ft 10in chassis and originally wore elegant saloon bodywork before being reconfigured as an ambulance during World War II.

Post-War, the Bentley changed hands several more times before being restored in the 1969-1975 period with replica Vanden Plas style tourer bodywork.

The Bentley then came to Australian in 1979, where much care and money was lavished on it by successive Bentley Drivers club members.

The current owner, a mechanical engineer from NSW, purchased the 3-litre towards the end of 2004 and it has since formed a part of his small private collection of Bentleys and Rolls-Royce models.

Accompanied by a comprehensive history file, this very desirable Bentley Tourer is expected to sell on November 5 in the $295,000-$345,000 range.

A closed alternative for Bentley enthusiasts is a superb 1939 4.25-litre Derby Bentley with original James Young Fixed-Head Coupe coachwork.

This ultimate ‘overdrive’ derivative of the 4.25-litre Bentley chassis arrived in Queensland in the immediate Post-War period before moving to an address more suited to its bespoke qualities, Sydney’s Point Piper, in 1954.

Since 2007 the Bentley has formed part of a small private collection on the outskirts of Sydney, alongside several other Bentleys and Rolls-Royces and presents well.

It has been repainted recently, with its interior still in good condition, although some wear is evident to the seats and carpet. Lovely period features and styling touches abound, including Art Deco side lights, a hidden drinks compartment behind the rear armrest, purdah side glass and a rear blind for additional privacy

A sister car shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1951, was described in period as “a carefully groomed object – rigid, poised, powerful – with a patrician urbanity of style that schools of design have failed to render obsolete”.

Shannons expect the Bentley to attract considerable local and international interest on November 5 and are quoting a guiding range of $195,000 to $245,000.