Lot 342: 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Close-Coupled Sports Saloon

In the 1930s Rolls-Royce set new standards with its Phantom series. It was achieved not by making great technical breakthroughs, but by using the very best of proven technology. One could argue that various Hispano-Suizas had more advanced specifications, but one has to note that many of them are now fitted with Rolls-Royce gearboxes. There were no weaknesses in the cars which Rolls-Royce made which is why, when the company began to use the slogan, 'The Best Car in the World' it was regarded as measured opinion backed by solid collateral. The Phantom II, introduced in 1929, was said to have been the last model that Royce designed himself, working from his villa in the South of France. Between 1929 and 1935 around 1,770 of these chassis were built, being available in 144in and 150in wheelbase lengths, the former being used for the Continental models. Improvements were made throughout this time, and for 1930 the tyre size was reduced from 21in to 20in after chassis number 169 GN, and back-axle bearings modified after chassis number 120 GH. Power was increased by raising the compression ratio, weight reduced by 200lb and road holding and handling greatly improved by adopting semi-elliptic rear suspension. These chassis were very popular with the major coachbuilders of the day, and some truly glorious cars were made. This very stylish Barker owner-driver close-coupled sports saloon initially came off test in August 1931, and was destined for display at the Brussels Motor Show, which was held between the 9th and the 20th of December 1931. As is true of all Rolls-Royce show cars, this example is very special indeed. Not only does it have remarkable Continental styling, more in line with a Kellner than what one would associate with the work of Barkers, with numerous styling features incorporated, but the car also has a number of other expensive period accessories, including a sunroof with a winding mechanism rather than the typical manual sliding type. After being displayed in Brussels, the car returned to Great Britain and was sold to Clive Nuttall of Hamble, Hampshire as a complete car in February 1932. Subsequently, the car was in the collection of Mr Lewis Zarhendt from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who owned this Rolls-Royce for many years. More recently, the car returned to Britain where it has been beautifully restored back to its original Brussels Show colours or Masons Black with a brown leather interior. As with all of the exclusive Phantom II Continentals, the car is documented in Raymond Gentile's definitive book Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental. The short chassis Phantom II Continental justly carried the mantle 'The Best Car in the World', and this particular model with its exotic coachwork and distinct continental flair, together with its superb condition, is a particularly excellent example.Dieser sehr elegante Rolls-Royce, eine Sportlimousine die eher fr den sportlichen Selbstfahrer als fr den Chauffeurbetrieb entworfen wurde, kam im August 1931 aus der Produktion und wurde anschlie?end auf dem Brsseler Autosalon im Dezember des gleichen Jahres der ffentlichkeit vorgestellt. Neben zahlreichen anderen Sonderausstattungen wurde dieser Phantom II mit einem Schiebedach versehen, das durch eine Drehmechanik anstatt der blichen und einfacheren Schiebemechanik zu ffnen ist. Nach der Ausstellung in Brssel kam der Wagen zurck nach England und wurde im Februar 1932 an einen gewissenMr Clive Nuttall in Hampshire verkauft. Spter wurde der Rolls dann an die Sammlung von Lewis Zarhendt in Minneapolis verkauft, woe r auch viele Jahre blieb. Erst vor kurzem kam dieser imposante Rolls-Royce zurck nach England, wo er sehr schn restauriert wurde und in die Originalfarbgebung Schwarz mit brauner Lederinnenausstung zurckversetzt wurde. Wie alle Phantom II Continental wird auch dieser Wagen im definitiven Buch von Raymond Gentile "Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental" erwhnt. Den Titel "Bestes Auto in der Welt" trugen die Phantom II Continental zu Recht, und dieses Exemplar mit seiner eleganten Linienfhrung und seinem hervorragenden Zustand ist wohl mit Sicherheit eine der schnsten Limousinen der Zeit.