1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, Gurney Nutting Owen drophead sedanca coupé
- Engine
- 7.7L OHV inline-six, single-jet semi-expanding carburetor, 120 bhp
Chassis 201RY is a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental bodied by J. Gurney Nutting as a drophead sedanca coupé in the so-called 'Owen' style, one of just 18 examples so constructed. Delivered in October 1934 to a buyer in North Wales, it passed through several British owners before reaching the United States in 1958. Owner Raymond Gentile completed a celebrated six-year personal restoration by 1975, subsequently authoring the definitive reference book on the model with this car as its centrepiece. It is widely regarded as the most prominent surviving Phantom II Continental.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$434,000
- —Auction saleSold US$632,500
- → 1934Factory deliveryOwen dealershippartial documentation
Car was originally allocated for dealer stock but ultimately not retained.
- 1934-10-01 → 1937-10-01Private saleG.H. Barrpartial documentation
Resident of Penmaenmawr, North Wales; took delivery of the completed car in October 1934 after purchase in April of that year.
- 1937-10-01 → 1940Acquisition unknownGeorge Kingpartial documentation
Based in Middlesex; ownership documented by historian André Blaize.
- 1940 →Acquisition unknownJohn Holroyd-Reecepartial documentation
Noted in Blaize's historical research as owner from 1940.
- 1955 → 1956-06-01Acquisition unknownDavid Crawford Collinspartial documentation
Recorded by historian Blaize as owner from 1955; sold the car the following year.
- 1956-06-01 → 1958Private saleJohn M. Floydpartial documentation
Royal Air Force Sergeant posted in Suffolk; became acquainted with an American pilot who subsequently purchased the car.
- 1958 → 1969Private saleSeymour Johnsonpartial documentation
US Air Force pilot who bought the car from Floyd while stationed in Suffolk and transported it to the United States, where it remained in storage for a number of years.
- 1969 → 1986Private saleRaymond Gentilefull documentation
Conducted a thorough personal restoration over six years, finishing around 1975; subsequently authored a reference book on the model using knowledge gained during the project.
- 1986 →Private saleDuncan Bullpartial documentation
Held the car for over a decade and accumulated additional concours honours during his ownership.
- 2011 → 2017Private saleOrin Smithpartial documentation
Well-known Rolls-Royce collector who added the car to his collection before selling it to the current consignor.
- 2017 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired directly from Orin Smith's collection.
Competition
- 1975Rolls-Royce Owners' ClubRROC Annual Meeting 1975Ladies Choice award and Guerrero Trophy for top owner restoration
First major showing following Gentile's six-year personal restoration; the car's debut in this restored condition.
- —Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA Senior judgingSenior First Prize
Award earned during Duncan Bull's ownership period, which spanned from 1986 for over a decade.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1969Restoration
Raymond Gentile undertook a thorough six-year personal restoration aimed at returning the car to its original specification, completed in 1975. Work extended to correct engine-bay finishes, proper wood-trim polish, and period-correct hand tools in the boot.
The restoration was conducted over approximately six years and was sufficiently well-regarded to win the Guerrero Trophy for Best Owner Restoration at the 1975 RROC Annual Meeting.
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