1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Long Wheelbase Torpedo
- Engine
- 7.7L inline-six, 120 bhp
- Colour
- Nile Blue
A 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II long-wheelbase chassis (50XJ) bodied by Barker & Company in a torpedo style for Mahant Sarveshwar Das, the Ruling Chief of Nandgaon State, to his exacting personal specification — including Nile Blue coachwork, polished nickel radiator shells, cobra horn, and a fitted silver tea service. Shipped to Calcutta in March 1930 and featured in The Autocar that August, the car later passed to an American enthusiast who discovered it in India and eventually brought it to the United States, where it underwent a thorough restoration to factory-specification standards.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$434,500
- 1930-03-01 →Factory deliveryMahant Sarveshwar Das, Ruling Chief of Nandgaon Statefull documentation
Car was custom-ordered to his detailed specifications and shipped from London to Calcutta in March 1930; featured in a major British motoring publication shortly after delivery.
- → 1966Acquisition unknownMaharaja of Orissapartial documentation
Car was discovered among a collection of fine automobiles held by this owner when encountered by an American enthusiast in 1966.
- 1966 →Private saleRay Howardpartial documentation
Purchased the car in India, had it shipped to Italy, drove it across Europe to England, then transported it to the family residence in Oregon in late 1967; later relocated with the car to Hawaii where a restoration was begun but left incomplete.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRichard Hooperpartial documentation
Acquired the partially dismantled car from Howard and completed a thorough restoration guided by factory build records and specialist expertise.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownUnidentified subsequent ownerpartial documentation
Had the body refinished, interior retrimmed, and cabinetry improved while retaining many original factory-supplied accessories.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent gentleman vendorpartial documentation
Had general mechanical servicing carried out to bring the car to good running condition prior to offering it at auction.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1930MaintenanceBarker & Company
Nile Blue interior finish judged unsatisfactory after factory chassis inspection; rectification carried out at Barker & Company prior to final completion.
Noted in factory records as a pre-delivery correction.
- 1930InspectionBarker & Company
Final test of completed car conducted at Barker & Company before dispatch.
Factory records note the test date as 7 March 1930.
- 1966Service
The car was serviced in Italy following export from India before being driven across Europe.
- —Restoration
Partial disassembly undertaken by Ray Howard in Hawaii; the project was left incomplete for approximately 25 years.
Restoration stalled after dismantling; the car remained in this state until acquired by Richard Hooper.
- —Restoration
Full completion of the restoration by Richard Hooper, carried out in accordance with original factory build specifications and guidance from Rolls-Royce authority John Fasal.
Aimed at returning the car to its as-delivered condition.
- —Bodywork
Exterior finish refinished, interior reupholstered, and cabinetry improved by a subsequent owner; original accessories retained.
- —Mechanical
General mechanical work carried out to bring the car to sound running condition ahead of the current sale.
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