Offered from single ownership since 1977

1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Newport Town Car

Coachwork by Brewster

7,668cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
120bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Leaf Spring Suspension with Single-Shot Chassis Lubrication
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes

*Handsome and distinguished design
*One of only 18 PII variants produced
*Offered from long-term ownership
*Retained primarily in East-Coast collections in New York, Virginia and Florida
*Well maintained by marque experts and perfect for the tour circuit

THE AMERICAN-DELIVERY PHANTOM II

With the conclusion of Phantom I production in 1931, Rolls-Royce discontinued its decade-long stint of building cars for the American market at Springfield, Massachusetts. Instead, US-market chassis were built at Derby in two series, AJS and AMS, with left-hand-drive, adjustments to the suspension, and 20-inch wheels. Upon arrival Stateside, they were fitted with coachwork, most frequently built by Brewster & Company, which remained under the control of Rolls-Royce importer and dealer J.S. Inskip.

Brewster continued to provide an impressive slate of attractively designed, well-proportioned and charmingly named styles for selection by buyers. Among their offerings was the Newport, a particularly handsome formal town car, distinguished by its angled cowl molding and crisp tailored lines. Records indicate that 18 Phantom II chassis were outfitted with Newport coachwork. The survivors continue to reflect the same elegant bearing they had when new.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Despite having likely been built in 1931, chassis 264AJS was, like many of its ilk, delayed in sale due to the Great Depression. On May 24, 1933, the Rolls-Royce was finally delivered to Mrs. M.L. Woodhouse. According to the late owner's family, the car was only gently and infrequently used over the years, due in part to Mrs. Woodhouse owning other automobiles as well as the gas rationing of World War II. It would go on to change hands several times over the next four decades, as noted in the Rolls-Royce Foundation's archives, copies of which are available on file.The car remained in collections on the East Coast, in New York, Virginia, and Florida. At some point early in its history the chauffeur's roof was fixed in place, but the coachwork remained otherwise unmodified.

In 1977, chassis 264AJS was advertised in the Rolls-Royce Owners Club publication, The Flying Lady, by David Domidion of New Jersey, a well-known collector in Rolls-Royce circles. According to the current owner's son, Mr. Domidion acquired the Newport as part of a deal to purchase a Phantom I Playboy. The late owner, an avid Rolls-Royce connoisseur, took note of the advertisement and purchased the Phantom II for his collection. It remained largely tucked away until his retirement in 1997, after which he began restoring it at Jim Killian Historic Auto Restorations. So sympathetic was the work that while the car was returned to its original "open-drive" configuration, the paint on the body is reportedly almost completely original.

The restoration later underwent extensive work by the respected Jeff McDonald of Canby, Oregon. Mr. McDonald is one of the country's foremost specialists in prewar Rolls-Royces. Under his care, he and his team worked to ensure that all elements of the restoration would meet Rolls-Royce factory specifications. The interior was restored and correctly retrimmed in both front and rear, using as a basis an original 1931 promotional photograph found by a friend of the owner in a Paris bookshop. The exhaust was also reinstalled and the chassis properly rewired.

While the restoration work was completed many years ago, it has held up well, with the expected signs of patina from age and use largely visible on the chassis and under the hood. The rear compartment interior remains splendid, with rich cloth upholstery, thick wool overrugs, and fine woodwork, while the driver's compartment shows minor age. Accompanying the car are copies of its build and ownership documentation from the Rolls-Royce Foundation, including, charmingly, a copy of the very 1977 advertisement answered by the late owner!

The Newport is a lovely example of formal coachwork on the Phantom II, and this example, benefitting from many years of loving conservation and good care in a single family, is a superb opportunity to experience its charm first-hand.