Description
-Participated in the 1933 RAC Rally, winning first in its Concours Elegance Class
-Highly attractive and desirable 3-position DHC coachwork by James Young
-Phantom II Continentals offer the epitome of high-speed and effortless touring
Like all Phantoms, the Continental was built for high-speed touring, offering a breath-taking ability to cover long distances in sublime comfort at high speed.
Of the 1400 Phantom IIs produced, only 280 Continental chassis were made. Royce wanted the Continental to be as small as possible, yet large enough to accommodate a driver, passengers, and their luggage comfortably while touring Europe. Continental chassis were upgraded in several ways with stiffer five-leaf springs, a shorter 12/ 41 (3. 416) rear axle and Hartford remote-control shock absorbers. Furthermore, the cabin floor was designed to be much lower than the standard model. The engine was upgraded with a higher compression ratio powering the car up to 100 mph top speed. Developed from the standard Phantom II short 144 inch wheelbase chassis, with an especially low steering column, the Continental allowed coachbuilders to create lower and sleeker bodies. The radiator shell was a bit higher than the standard Phantom II, resulting in the illusion that the car appears to be traveling at high speed, even when parked.
The company touted the car's power in a mid-1930s advertisement, stating, 'The Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental is specially produced for fast touring abroad, where better facilities exist than in Great Britain for high speeds over long distances.'
This hugely impressive car carries stunning 3-position DHC coachwork by James Young. Offering the delights of open-air motoring, the elegance of Sedanca touring, plus the comfort of an enclosed car; all wrapped within a stylish design. The tail of the car is particularly attractive, its clean flowing line has a well-proportioned boot section with a tool kit contained within the lid and a luggage rack above. It has a cleaner rear than the alternative Gurney Nutting equivalent. Built within the front wings are humped side lights, a rather stylish feature and the door cappings are elaborate, making a nice addition.
Chassis number 8MY was originally purchased by Mr Harris of 80 Wardown St. WI. The chassis cards state a 15% discount on advertising in cinema, presumably as Mr Harris was director of Cinema Press Ltd. The car was specified with a short wheelbase Continental type chassis, Telecontrol Hartford shock dampers, built in jacks, special extended pedals and 'special attention to finish of parts below bonnet'.
In the hands of Mr Harris, 8MY participated in the 1933 RAC rally, a rally which concluded with a concours in Hastings. 8MY won its concours class, also beating Major Stuart F. Dawson in anther PII Continental, 74MY. His car was only the second Gurney Nutting Owen Sedanca Coupe produced, a style widely regarded as the most attractive coachwork fitted to a pre-war Rolls-Royce.
Mr Harris was clearly a hard driver as in June 1934 a new engine was fitted numbered KC45. Photographs were taken of 8MY in Switzerland in 1937 besides Lake Zug with Harris sat on the front bumper. Pictures of the car at at Vierwaldstätersee were published by the RREC in 1937 also.
The second owner was Cartwright of Aynho Hall, Aynho Park, near Banbury. He purchased the car in 1937. This was followed by D. J. Attenborough of Ronedge House, 41 Royston Park Road, Hatch End in Middlesex in 1955.
Following a period of ownership in America, 8MY retuned to UK soil in 1982. Around this time both 8MY and 47RY (also a PII Continental, but with Freestone & Webb coachwork) were undergoing restoration work at Coys of Kensington where their engines were swapped. On 30th November 1987 at Sothebys auction, 8MY was purchased by J. Wooley.
The current owner purchased 8MY in 1989, and commissioned P&A Wood to carry out a thorough mechanical review of the car and improvements as necessary, including the fitting of an overdrive. In later years, Arthur Archer and ourselves have continued to work on the car as needed.
In 2000, 8MY participated in the first leg of the 'Round the World Rally' by the Classic Rally Association. This trip ran from London to Istanbul covering 5435 miles. In 2002, a tour of Finland, Sweden and Norway totalling 3000 miles was completed, and in 2006 the car participated in the 20-Ghost Club's 'Mozart Tour' of Austria, covering 4100 miles.
In all, the current owner believes he has covered approx. 35, 000 miles during his 33-year tenure of the car. The car is a pleasure to drive having light steering coupled with super brakes. 8MY is included in both Raymond Gentile and Andre Blaise's books on the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental.
Rarely do Phantom II Continentals come to market carrying such attractive and versatile coachwork. This car has a proven record for long distance touring with a fascinating and well-documented history.
