1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Dual-Windshield Phaeton, Coachwork by Jack Compton

1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Dual-Windshield Phaeton
Coachwork by Jack Compton
Chassis no. 148 MS
Engine no. T15
7,669cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
160bhp
(est.) 40/50bhp
4-Speed Manual Gearbox
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Mechanical Drum Brakes

*Classic Car Club of America Full Classic® Recognition
*Accompanied by copies of records supplied by the Rolls-Royce Foundation
*Repainted and engine rebuilt by Steve Babinsky, 2008-2102
*Original Limousine Coachwork Replaced by Striking Phaeton Body

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

As the successor to the Phantom I, the "New Phantom," retrospectively named Phantom II, debuted in 1929 and represented a radical redesign by Rolls-Royce standards. The Phantom II is also historic as the last Rolls-Royce series designed and developed under the ever-watchful eye of company co-founder Henry Royce. Having more in common with the company's 20 HP or "Twenty" model than the Phantom I, the Phantom II was essentially an enlarged version of the "junior" Twenty chassis, which had enjoyed remarkable success with Rolls-Royce owner-drivers.

Featuring an underslung rear axle, the Phantom II was much lower than the Phantom I, purpose-designed to suit to the new crop of sportier body styles available from advanced designers and custom coachbuilders at the dawn of the 1930s. Offered in two wheelbase lengths measuring 144 and 150 inches, the Phantom II offered unprecedented scope for daring and luxurious designs penned by the greatest designers of the era. In mechanical terms, the Phantom II chassis marked a careful evolution with its sophisticated chassis, masterfully updated 7.7-liter engine and revised four-speed gearbox – initially with synchromesh third and top gears.

An elite-level offering, the Phantom II was highly exclusive in keeping with its market positioning, with Rolls-Royce marque authorities citing 1,767 examples produced between 1929 and 1935. Endowed with a myriad of body styles, no two Phantom IIs are exactly alike, conferring a unique character on each surviving example. An unqualified icon of the celebrated Classic Era, the Phantom II is rightly recognized as a Full Classic® by the Classic Car Club of America, conferring exceptional eligibility owners to show and enjoy their Phantom IIs in virtually any event they should ever choose.

Accompanied by copies of. factory production records supplied by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, this handsome 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II bears Chassis Number 148 MS. It was ordered new from Rolls-Royce on October 13, 1932 by the Arthur Mulliner coachbuilding firm of Northampton, England in the East Midlands on behalf of Miss May Brookes, listed as resident in the Southsea resort area near Portsmouth in the south of England.

According to the Rolls-Royce factory records, delivery of the chassis to the coachbuilder was required by and promised to Arthur Mulliner for the third week of November 1932 and Chassis 148 MS was recorded "off test" by the factory on November 11, 1932. Interestingly, a 'Continental-type chassis' was originally specified; however, instructions were subsequently updated for a 6/7-passenger Limousine body mounted on the short-wheelbase (144") standard Phantom II chassis. Planned usage of the car was stated as within the British Isles – mainly Touring. Further specifications included stainless radiator shutters and fittings throughout the car, twin side mounted spare tires and carriers, chassis spring rates specifically selected for the projected weight of the standard and additional items to be fitted to the body, polished 'Staybrite' bonnet-hinge moldings, a spare radiator grille and louvered bonnet with locking mechanism.

At some point subsequent to delivery to Miss Brookes, the Arthur Mulliner Limousine body of 148 MS was switched out in favor of a Dual-Windshield Phaeton by Jack Compton. Although there were several body-building operations in England during the 1930s sharing the "Compton" name, Jack Compton did supply a number of bodies for existing Rolls-Royce chassis during the 1930s. Compton, along with fellow small English coachbuilder Ranalah, had a mutual association with Coachcraft, Ltd. and even published jointly in period advertisements promoting their updated replacement bodies for numerous chassis manufacturers, including Rolls-Royce.

According to its corresponding chassis record card with handwritten "Coachcraft, Ltd." entry, 148 MS became known in American Rolls-Royce circles by 1962. Documented American owners of 148 MS included S. Prestley Blake of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Dr. Franklyn D. Berry of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and Mel H. Bredahl of Simsbury, Connecticut. Subsequently, the Phantom II was in the hands of a collector in the Detroit, Michigan area and then in 2006, the current owner acquired it. From 2008-12, 148 MS was entrusted to noted classic-car restorer Steve Babinsky's Automotive Restorations Ltd. of Lebanon, New Jersey, where the body was refinished to its current and very attractive configuration, and two-tone color scheme. The engine, numbered TR15 and matching the engine number printed on the factory production records, was rebuilt. In addition to its exceedingly striking visuals, 148 MS will provide a wonderful open-air touring experience for its next owner as a fascinating and highly enjoyable example of one of the finest Rolls-Royce automotive designs of the entire prewar era.