Rolls-Royce’s Phantom II was a culmination of development going back to 1906 when the first 40/50hp model, the immortal Silver Ghost, was born. The Silver Ghost is still regarded as one of the greatest cars ever made, and equally the Phantom name has lasted through most of the company’s history as the marque’s headlining model. The Phantom II was the final iteration of the 40/50hp line, with the six-cylinder engine, displacing 7,668cc, mounted on a new chassis—this design noticeable lowered the car, allowing for a more elegant appearance. This low-slung configuration, married to coachbuilders producing more flowing designs, prompted an epoch of extraordinary cars carrying the famous Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Ultimately, the success of the Phantom II would lead to companies such as Bentley going out of business from trying to remain competitive.

All Phantom IIs were built with coachwork to the specific requirements of the first owner. This car, chassis number 188 MY, was delivered new to Mr. P.M. Stewart Esq. of Park Lane on 3 July 1933, who commissioned Barker to fit an enclosed Limousine body. According to the build sheet, special features included bonnet louvres sloped at 11 degrees, and a covered spare wheel fitted to the offside wing. Finished in black with white lining, over a fawn cloth, chassis 188 MY must have been quite a sight as it cruised the streets of London during the 1930s.

In 1964 it was exported to Canada and by the mid-1960s, it was in the ownership of Mr. Leon Brassard of Jonquiere, Quebec. By April 1979, chassis 188 MY was in a sorry state after several years of storage due to frost damage to the engine. It was purchased that month by Lieutenant Colonel David Dudley, a British Army officer who was ending a tour in Canada, and had this Phantom II shipped back to England. A restoration commenced which was regularly reported in the RREC Bulletin, and it concluded in the summer 1984 when it was flown by an RAF 30 Squadron Hercules to Germany to pick up a prize at the Concours d’Elegance of the Rhine Army Summer Show.

A year later, this Phantom II was noted as being owned by Mr. D.C. Gregory of Transvaal, South Africa. Apparently, he owned this car until 1991, and by 1994 it was owned by Mr. Lockwood in the UK. This Rolls-Royce’s more recent history is not recorded and its mechanical condition is unknown, so a recommissioning will be required to bring this magnificent car back to life. Any Phantom II is worthy of consideration, and this example deserves a sympathetic return to the road.