This exceptional 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II is the sole example to originally wear Drophead Coupe bodywork by Allweather of London, easily setting itself apart from its already distinguished peers. Ordered new for Alexander Simpson, who developed a revolutionary line of “self-supporting” (not requiring belt or suspenders) trousers sold under the DAKS line, factory build records note, evocatively, that this car’s intended use was “Mainly touring at high speeds” in the UK and across the Continent.

Although this Phantom II chassis was of the 150-inch-long-wheelbase variety, rather than the short-wheelbase Continental specification, it was uniquely ordered with features more commonly found on Continentals, including low-rake “F” steering and stiffer springs. Six Dunlop 7-by-19-inch wire wheels with disc covers were specified, with two to be sportily mounted as spares on the rear. The marque’s legendary 7,668-cubic centimeter inline-six provided more than adequate power; notably, the numbers-matching engine, DL85 is present today.

But perhaps the most important feature was the hood, or lack thereof: The build order requested that no bonnet be supplied with the chassis (contrary to the normal procedure), but that Rolls-Royce provide a top and side hinges nine inches longer than standard. Around these hinges, Allweather built a dramatically elongated hood that smoothly flowed into a specially widened firewall, contributing to a low, uninterrupted profile accentuated by a prominent chrome molding running from the radiator to the rear bumper. As Phantom II production ceased in 1935, the same year Allweather had been established, the coachbuilder only had the opportunity to build one such new body for the model (although they did later re-body other examples). As seen here, they made it count!

Following Simpson’s ownership, the Phantom II passed to Sir Francis Towle, noted hotelier who helped establish London’s swanky Dorchester Hotel. It was next acquired by Lieutenant General Noel Mason-MacFarlane, a fierce and extensively decorated British Army officer who served as Governor of Gibraltar during WWII—and even proposed a bold, though unrealized, plan to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

Following two additional recorded UK owners, the Phantom II had by the 1950s arrived in the United States and passed through a documented chain of caretakers. In the late 1980s, it was fully restored while in the noted Robert Pass collection in its striking present combination of black over a red interior. It has since been carefully maintained and shown selectively, earning recognition at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with further honors achieved at the Meadowbrook, Mar-a-Lago, Boca Raton, and Greenwich Concours d’Elegance.

With its unique specification and bodywork, as well a well-documented and fascinating history, this Phantom II Allweather Drophead Coupe has a presence all its own. It has long been appreciated by the Rolls-Royce community, appearing in Those Elegant Rolls-Royces by Lawrence Dalton as well as The Rolls-Royce Phantom II and Phantom III by Steve Stuckey and Nick Whitaker; its accompanying history file contains build sheet copies, ownership records, and images of the car over the years.

This is a Rolls-Royce well-suited to exhibition, club events, and touring at high speeds—in the UK, across the Continent, or indeed, anywhere else its fortunate new owner wishes to go.