1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Henley Roadster
- Colour
- Brewster Green
A Brewster-bodied Phantom II Henley Roadster on chassis 224AJS, one of only nine built on Phantom II underpinnings and among seven surviving examples. First delivered in 1934 to Texas cattleman Svante M. Swenson, the body was subsequently remounted onto chassis 224AJS by MIT chemistry professor Dr. Frederick G. Keyes, who retained the car for over three decades. Believed to retain original Brewster Green paint and black leather interior, the car has passed through a short succession of careful custodians and has never undergone a formal restoration.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,297,500
- 1934-02-01 → 1938Factory deliverySvante Magnus Swensonpartial documentation
Texas ranching and banking family heir who favored British motorcars; took delivery of this Henley Roadster on the original chassis 217AMS, with delivery significantly delayed by the economic downturn of the early 1930s.
- 1938 → 1971Private saleDr. Frederick G. Keyesfull documentation
MIT chemistry professor based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who had the Brewster body transferred to a lower-mileage chassis before taking possession; kept the car for 33 years, using it regularly and maintaining it carefully, including having it shipped to the Rolls-Royce depot in London for mechanical attention. His name appears inscribed in the surviving service book.
- 1971 →Private saleMark Gibbonspartial documentation
A neighbor and fellow enthusiast of the previous owner who held the car for roughly three decades, making minimal alterations — only a replacement hood and some replating work.
- 2003 → 2007Private saleDennis Gibbspartial documentation
California-based buyer who acquired the car after Gibbons's long stewardship ended in the early 2000s.
- 2007 → 2011Private saleErvin 'Bud' Lyonpartial documentation
Noted New Hampshire collector who exhibited the car at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
- 2011 →Private saleAdderley Collectionpartial documentation
Private collection housing multiple significant Brewster-bodied Springfield Rolls-Royces; the consignor for the present auction sale.
Competition
- 1952-06-01Rolls-Royce Owners' ClubRROC National Meet, Springfield2nd in class
This was the inaugural national gathering of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club, held in Springfield, Massachusetts, where the car was shown under Dr. Keyes's ownership.
- 20072007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Displayed by owner Bud Lyon; no award result is specified in the catalogue.
- —Rolls-Royce Owners' ClubRROC National Meet, CobleskillBest of Show
Held in Cobleskill, New York, shortly after the Springfield event; the car had recently returned from mechanical servicing at the Rolls-Royce depot in London.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1938Modification
The Henley body was transferred from its original chassis (217AMS) onto a lower-mileage replacement chassis (224AJS) at Dr. Keyes's instruction prior to his taking delivery.
Chassis swap was carried out before the car was delivered to Dr. Keyes.
- —ServiceRolls-Royce service depot, Hythe Road, London
The car was shipped to the Rolls-Royce service depot in London, where it received thorough mechanical attention, before being returned to Dr. Keyes in the United States.
Carried out sometime in the early-to-mid 1950s, shortly after the 1952 Springfield RROC meet.
- —Repair
During Mark Gibbons's long tenure a new convertible top was fitted and certain brightwork was replated; no other significant work is recorded.
Owner's intention was deliberate minimal intervention to preserve the car's original character.
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