In the early 1930s, most of the handful of Rolls-Royce Phantom II chassis delivered to the United States were of the AJS and AMS series, purposely built for the American market and regularly fitted with Brewster coachwork. There was a certain élan, however, to ordering a “true” Derby chassis, such as the high-performance Continental or its ilk, and having coachwork built in its home country by one of the fabled artisans to royalty. The car offered here is one of those wonderful rarities.

Chassis 110MY was ordered on 19 October 1932 by A.A. Hutchinson of New York City. The chassis was delivered to the fabled London coachbuilders Hooper on 4 December 1933 and was bodied with this unusual and attractive open tourer, featuring roll-up windows in a nod to the East Coast climate and American tastes. Interestingly, Mr. Hutchinson specified the car with a “Continental-type engine and features such as springing and additional shock absorbers,” both as specified on the original build cards. These features gave the elegant Phantom II most of the performance characteristics of the famous Continental model, but in a more formal package—a true “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The next known owner of the Phantom II was Paul Lutey of New York, who sold it in 1953 to Kraemer Luks of New Jersey. Mr. Luks and his wife, in particular, fell in love with the sleek Rolls, which would remain a treasured family heirloom for nearly 30 years, passing eventually to Mrs. Luks and then to their daughter, Cynthia Luks Martin. Only in 1982 did Mrs. Martin part with the prized Phantom II, selling it to the well-known Rolls-Royce enthusiast and collector Edward Ardis of Media, Pennsylvania.

With the help of his friend, Roy Wilson, Mr. Ardis began restoring the car. While he sold it before completion to Lawrence and Jane MacElree, also of Pennsylvania, he was contracted to continue the work. Restoration was finally completed in the late 1990s by Sam Rawlins Service of Roswell, Georgia, for the present owner. It has been fastidiously and beautifully maintained in his renowned collection ever since, and he notes that during his ownership, he rebuilt the engine and installed a new radiator, keeping the car in tip-top running order.

The car has a beautiful, modern appearance in British Racing Green with a butter-soft tan leather interior, matching soft top, and, in classic Rolls-Royce tradition, warm burled walnut surroundings. No less beautiful is the engine compartment, which has been detailed and features abundant brightwork, giving the impression of gazing into the back of a fine watch.

Documented by copies of its original build records and other information supplied by the Hunt House and Rolls-Royce Foundation, this is among the most interesting and exciting Phantom IIs to recently come to market. It boasts decades of wonderful known history, a fascinating performance specification, gorgeous lines, and a quality restoration by marque specialists—truly the best of all worlds.