Lot 336: 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Croydon Convertible

This fabulous and rare motorcar from the Estate of discerning collector Robert Stormont has been in the same ownership for approximately 55 years, having been acquired in 1949 from the first owner. A verified two-owner car, this spectacular Phantom II is an example of Brewster coachwork at its very best.

Although this Phantom II dates from 1931, its lineage goes back to a day in May 1925 when an overhead-valve 7,668cc inline six producing approximately 90 bhp was dropped into a 40/50 chassis. With that simple act of introducing a new, more modern engine into the Silver Ghost, the known world changed for Rolls-Royce. Dubbed the new Phantom, it used a ladder frame chassis similar to that used in the Silver Ghost and featured solid axles front and rear and cantilever leaf springs at all four corners. Heavier and slower than the car it replaced, there were those who lamented the passing of the Silver Ghost, though certainly the New Phantom brought greater refinement. In time, power was uprated, but in true Rolls-Royce tradition, the actual output was not revealed.

About a year later, that greater refinement found its way into the American Rolls-Royce cars manufactured in Springfield, Massachusetts, although the first 66 colonial New Phantoms lacked the front brakes that had been fitted to the final British Silver Ghosts. The delay in production was due to redesign work to reposition the carburetor, intake and exhaust manifold to the right side of the engine to accommodate the left-hand-drive steering gear.

In September 1929 the New Phantom gave way to the Phantom II. The engine was little changed, although modifications to the cylinder head increased output to approximately 120 bhp. That greater power reached the rear axle via a four-speed manual gearbox. With the Phantom II, the old Silver-Ghost derived chassis was banished at last. The new chassis was lower and the outdated cantilever springs were replaced by semi-elliptic leaf springs at all corners. Solid front and rear axles remained.

Unlike the New Phantom, left-hand-drive chassis for the American market were built in England and shipped to Springfield, Massachusetts. Once in the United States, the cars were bodied—usually by Brewster. This particular Phantom II, chassis 240AJS was built in 1931, but did not receive its Brewster Croydon convertible coupe body until 1934. Just 13 of these lovely Croydons were built, at least one of which featured a fixed-head top. Considered one of “Brewster’s most appealing designs,” the large trunk contained the spare wheel and tire. In the Convertible Coupe version, the fabric top folded neatly with no unsightly bulge to block rear vision. When complete, this Croydon was given pride of place at the 1934 New York Auto Show, where it was purchased off the stand by a Dr. C. Bramwell, who was a Chicago dentist.

In 1949, Robert Stormont saw the car in Chicago and acquired it from the original owner. For several years it was used as a family car “Mom drove it to get groceries,” daughter Mary advises us. In 1977 a complete multi-year restoration was commenced. When completed it was resplendent in a beige and ivory livery. Robert was understandably proud of his splendidly elegant PII and he used for weddings and in parades. It was also shown, but according to daughter Mary, “Dad was modest in that respect and kept few records” regarding trophies won.

This truly stunning Rolls-Royce is accompanied by extensive service and restoration records and is an ideal car for touring or show, and if the past ownership record is anything to go by, the car represents a generational opportunity to own 240 AJS.