c.1928 'EX' Series Phantom Recreation

27-Liter Rolls-Royce Meteor V12 Engine
6 48IDF Weber carburetors
850bhp at 2,800rpm
Automatic Transmission
Independent front – Live rear Axle
Front Disc – Rear Drum Brakes

*Mighty V-12 Rolls-Royce Meteor Engine
*EX17 Phantom recreation
*Fresh, fully documented build
*Immense Power and fun

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Following Bentley's domination of motorsports in the mid-twenties, Rolls-Royce developed their 'EX' series of Phantoms. Three cars were built, EX15, EX16, and EX17. The aim was to build a car capable of sustained 100mph speeds that could out-perform the Bentleys. One of the cars was destroyed during testing on the Continent, but the other two have survived and are in private collections. This car is an homage to EX17.

This stunning EX17 recreation comes to us from a private collector complete with a fascinating and well-documented build. Beginning with an engine and a dream, the consignor began the four yearlong build, which took approximately 4,000 hours to complete. The main attraction is certainty the gargantuan 12 cylinder Meteor engine which is an ex-Australian Army unit. Meteor engines are the naturally-aspirated version of the famous Merlin and were used in tanks throughout WWII and after. This unit was intended to be a spare for a 'Churchill' tank. A billet aluminum intake manifold was custom-machined to allow the fitment of six 48IDF Weber carburetors fed by the original engine-mounted dual mechanical fuel pumps. Exhaust manifolds are hand-built tubular steel with 4" exhausts mufflers plus electric side cut-outs. When all is said and done, the estimated horsepower is 850 with an insane 1650 ft-lbs of torque. The engine is mated to a heavily-modified Ford C-6 transmission, complete with low-stall speed converter sending power through a purpose-built aluminum driveshaft.

Adjustable Andre Hartford friction shocks are used front and rear. The front brakes are 11" discs hidden within vented cast aluminum drum covers. Rear brakes are 12" drum brakes with matching drum covers. 21" x 4" wire wheels, the same as the original 1928 Phantom, were custom-built in the UK by Richards Brothers. The body and fenders' design echoes that of EX-17. It was all hand-built on an English Wheel using all-steel construction (except for the hood panels that are aluminum with custom-stamped 15" louvers). The Headlights and spotlight are period-correct Lucas P100-style units, built to order by Headlight Restorations Ltd in the UK and are mounted on a custom-made headlight crossbar. The grille shell was handmade using 16ga brass sheet and is fitted with an original set of early Rolls slats, badge, and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Inside, all switches are period-correct English auto units from the twenties. The classic instrument gauges are all solid-state and are mounted in a beautiful engine-turned stainless steel panel. The panel sits in a burled-walnut veneered dashboard. The upholstery is blue leather with matching blue carpet, a salute to EX17's interior.

The car is complete with a photographic record of the entire build process, a summary book of its construction, plus an electrical manual, parts manual, and receipt book. With such tremendous power, presence, and style, this Rolls-Royce Meteor-powered EX series Phantom recreation is a superbly built machine that represents a tremendous value.