The majority of Rolls-Royce Phantom IIs were distinguished formal cars of regal bearing—elegant, but not sporty. Not so for chassis number 31TA, offered here, which was bodied by the renowned coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly as an open tourer of unusually dramatic mien. It was given concealed door hinges, still unusual in England in the mid-1930s; a rather low-folding top “stack;” a low, split vee’d windshield; and cut-down front doors, altogether touches that resembled more a “W.O.” Bentley than a Rolls-Royce. The result was a splendid machine and one of the most beautiful examples of coachwork on this chassis.

Per the build sheet, a copy of which is on file, the car was ordered by London dealers Rootes Ltd. on behalf of Mrs. W.F. Coaker of Queen’s Ride, London, and following its delivery by Thrupp & Maberly was originally assigned registration number BGX2. It is pictured as-completed in Lawrence Dalton’s standard reference work, Coachwork on Rolls-Royce 1906–1939, showing that it appeared upon arrival very much as it does today.

Subsequent British owners are recorded by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club through the 1950s, after which the car moved to the United States by 1962. It spent many years in the care of W.R. Cammack of St. Paul, Minnesota, then in 1982 was purchased by Russell Head of Burlingame, California. Mr. Head was a highly noted collector who possessed numerous significant Classics and was for years an annual exhibitor at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as well as a co-founder of the famous Candy Store. Following its time in the Head collection, chassis number 31TA joined the Blackhawk Collection in northern California, and was then acquired for the present collection in 2005.

In current ownership the car enjoyed rebuilds of the original engine, number KE35, and front suspension, as well as improvements to its chromework and paint, all by Four Car Garage of Burlingame, California. It also had much of its interior reupholstered, as well as a new top, side curtains, and boot, all fitted by Cook’s Upholstery, documentation of which is on file. Also included in the file are the aforementioned build sheet copy and history documents from the RREC, and the car is complete with its road tools in their compartment below the front seat.

In a 1983 issue of The Flying Lady, a photograph of chassis number 31TA was included, with editor Ken Karger’s comment that “it’s hard to beat a Phantom II for touring—witness Russ Head’s splendid example.” The statement is still perfectly true, and the example is still splendid.