Lot 412: 1930 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Sedanca de Ville

Rolls-Royce’s Phantom II, announced in 1929, brought Rolls-Royce right up to date, their finely engineered pre-war masterpiece vying with the likes of Napier, Lanchester, Daimler and Bentley for a share of the lucrative luxury car market. The new car featured unit construction of engine and gearbox, better handling characteristics and an improved ride, the 7.7 litre engine providing all that was needed for the long distance trans-Alpine continental tour and yet being sufficiently docile for use in the metropolis. 26 XJ was ordered new by The Hon. Mrs E. Harmsworth of St. James Street, London, who commissioned Barker & Co. Ltd. to build the elegant Sedanca de Ville coachwork. It was almost certainly chauffeur driven in its early years. Its second owner was a Lady Bowden of Kelburn Castle in Ayrshire, whose London address was Rubens Hotel, the car passing in 1936 to J Hagen of Mayfair Hotel, London, and then to Mascot Motors in November 1937. The old buff log book records wartime use in the Leeds area and the car was acquired by the present owner over 30 years ago, forming part of a small private collection and seeing occasional wedding service during that ownership. Its owner’s retirement brings the car to the market for the first time since the 1970’s. 26 XJ is presented in coffee and cream livery and special features include wind-down division, two occasional seats, Barker dipping headlights and twin side mounts, as ordered by Mrs Harmsworth. The interior has been reupholstered in beige West of England cloth to the rear and brown leather to the front and re-carpeted both front and rear. Recent mechanical work has included the fitting of a new head gasket, at which time the valves were reground and the cylinder head decarbonised. The owner recalls fitting new pistons in the 1970’s since when the car has not covered a great mileage. 26 XJ comes with wheel spanner and jack, Orderlee luggage trunk, old buff log book, old MoT certificates, Swansea V5C registration document, copy Factory Order and Build Sheets, current licence and MoT and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.