Chassis No – 182GY
Registration number – MSJ225
The Phantom II was the third and last of Rolls-Royce’s 40/50 models and replaced the ‘New Phantom’ (retrospectively dubbed the Phantom I) in 1929. It employed an improved version of its predecessor’s 7668cc straight-six powerplant (the updates included a new crossflow cylinder head) mounted in an all-new chassis that featured semi-elliptic springs all round for the first time. Along with other changes to the drivetrain, this allowed the frame to ride lower than before, improving the handling. The all-wheel servo-assisted brakes were carried over from the Phantom I, while the Bijur centralised lubrication system used on the US-specification Phantom Is was adopted for Phantom II chassis from both sides of the Atlantic. The four-speed manual transmission was now bolted directly to the engine, with power being transmitted to the rear wheels via an open driveshaft and hypoid bevel axle. Some 1,680 Phantom II chassis are understood to have been laid down between 1929 and 1936 when the model was superseded by the Phantom III.
Charles Amherst Robertson took delivery of 182GY at the family home of Castle Bar House in Ealing. This very grand house has also been known as Castle Bear, Castle Beare & Castle Hill House – By 1871 Castle Bar House was home to Charles Thomas Amherst (Jeweller) & his family – his daughter Lucy Ann Amherst was Charles’s mother. Scions of the Amherst family include the Franciscan Friar known as Father Algy & Charles Amherst Villiers the automotive engineer who developed the supercharger & designed the land speed car “Bluebird” for Malcolm Campbell. Charles Villiers who lived in Ealing was a close friend of Ian Fleming & in ‘Casino Royale’, Bond drives a 4 ½ litre Bentley with the Amherst-Villiers supercharger. Passing through the hands of eight subsequent custodians between 1935 and 2014, ‘182GY’ was purchased by the current owner from the Real Car Co. of Bethesda in early 2016. The subject of much expenditure by its penultimate keeper (a Saudia Arabia-based British Aerospace employee); the engine was fully overhauled by Ristes of Nottingham in late 2003 using a new cylinder head and blocks. Other work included a radiator re-core, Autovac overhaul, new clutch and much more. The work totalled in the region of £40,000 and the majority was undertaken in the workshops of E. Hustwayte & Son.
Fitted with stylish and practical Limousine De Ville coachwork by Barker & Co; ‘192HY’ features an enviable specification including a full set of original stainless steel lamps with Barker dipping mechanism, riveted bonnet and rear-mounted spare wheel. Invoices on file show a further £27,000 has been lavished on this handsome and well-proportioned PII during the current six year ownership. This included a full rebuild of the braking system by McPheat Automotive, Fitment of a replacement LED fuel telegauge, reupholstery and full retrim to the passenger compartment, remanufacture of the two rear wings, a full respray by Scott Wilson Ltd, together with attention to much of the electrical components and nickel-plating.
Offered with a comprehensive history file comprising a copy of the original build sheet, period folding log book, correspondence dating back to 1957, the car’s original factory-issued instruction book, together with a May 1969-dated copy of the RREC bulletin which features a four-page article on the car.
Please note – A selection of tools and a small spares package are available by separate negotiation.
