1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Barker Two-Seater Sports
- Engine
- 7.7L inline-six, 120 bhp, four-speed manual
- Colour
- Brilliant scarlet
A 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II (chassis 179 XJ) bodied by Barker as a two-seat sports tourer for Continental use, its design borrowed from the showstopping 92 GY exhibited at the 1930 London Motor Show. Distinguished by swept pontoon fenders with integral storage, a varnished hardwood rear deck, lighted door handles evoking nautical markers, and a hidden dickey seat, the car was reputedly first owned by the Maharaja of Rewa before passing through several noted American collectors. It retains its original British registration 'GJ 11' and has been restored in scarlet with a tan leather interior.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$2,500,000 – US$3,500,000
- 1930 →Acquisition unknownGulab Singh, Maharaja of Rewapartial documentation
Persistent tradition attributes first actual ownership to this Indian royal, consistent with accounts from multiple subsequent owners, though not formally documented.
- → 1932Private saleH.R. Owen Ltd.partial documentation
London dealership that accepted the car as a trade-in from the first titled owner and subsequently sold it on.
- 1932 → 1958Private saleA. Fillinghamfull documentation
Purchased through H.R. Owen; retained the car for roughly 26 years and published his recollections in a 1958 magazine article, noting excellent mechanical condition and modest mileage.
- 1958 → 1960Private saleDavid 'Bunty' Scott-Moncriefpartial documentation
Prominent British vintage-car dealer who likely acquired the car after reading Fillingham's published account; drove it on a notable rally shortly after purchase.
- 1960 → 1965Private saleVojta F. Mashekpartial documentation
Early American enthusiast known for collecting coachbuilt European cars; brought the Phantom to the US and exhibited it at a major owners club gathering in 1962.
- 1965 → 1969Private saleDr. Samuel Scherpartial documentation
Prominent New York plastic surgeon and well-regarded East Coast automobile collector; purchased directly from Mashek.
- 1969 → 1972Private saleHarry Resnickpartial documentation
Proprietor of a museum in upstate New York specialising in coachbuilt Rolls-Royces, with holdings spanning every Phantom model.
- 1972 → 1981Private saleSamuel Schwartzpartial documentation
Long Island-based owner; sold the car to a California collector in 1981.
- 1981 →Private saleMichael Wilkinsonpartial documentation
Based in Rancho Santa Fe, California; had the car refinished in white and continued to show it at owners club events before passing it on via a dealer intermediary.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryAndre Mertzanoffpartial documentation
Listed as the original customer on the factory build record, but evidence suggests he never actually took delivery of the completed vehicle.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRussell Jacksonnone documentation
Served as an intermediary in the transfer of the car between Wilkinson and the Kughns; likely a dealer or agent.
- Date unknownPrivate saleRichard and Linda Kughnpartial documentation
Michigan collectors who at the time held the world's largest assemblage of vintage Rolls-Royces; selected this particular car to represent their collection at a major marque event in 1988.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent collector ownerpartial documentation
Acquired in the early 1990s; commissioned a full restoration in scarlet with tan leather and authenticated period fittings, retaining original British registration plates.
Competition
- 1958Veteran and Vintage Rally, BeaulieuDriver: David 'Bunty' Scott-Moncrief
Scott-Moncrief drove the car personally at this gathering shortly after acquiring it.
- 1962Rolls-Royce Owners ClubRROC Annual Meet, DearbornNot entered for judging
The car was displayed at the Michigan meet and drew considerable attention from notable figures including designer Alex Tremulis and chief judge Dr. Samuel Scher, though it was not formally judged.
- 1988Rolls-Royce Owners ClubRolls-Royce Experience, Hickory Corners
Selected by the Kughns from their extensive Phantom collection as their representative entry at this marque gathering.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1981Bodywork
Exterior refinished in white during Michael Wilkinson's ownership.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive restoration carried out for the current owner, with the body finished in bright scarlet, the original hardwood rear deck preserved and refurbished, and the interior retrimmed in tan leather. Original British registration plates and period features including the concealed dickey seat and lighted door handles were retained.
Work is associated with the current ownership period beginning in the early 1990s.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.