This is a beautiful example of the iconic 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom
II HJ Mulliner Sports Limousine that wears an older restoration and
is a proven tour car. While this Phantom has been made a formidable
touring car, it remains cosmetically nice enough for most concours.
This Phantom (43TA) is well documented and has been upgraded with
power steering and overdrive, which improves its drivability and
makes it a joy to drive. This Rolls-Royce is featured in Lawrence
Daltons Those Elegant Rolls Royce published in 1997. 43TA was
delivered new to 24-year-old American Robert Sweeny at his
residence at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London on
March 23, 1935. Robert Sweeny was a businessman and Oxford
graduate. He went on to win the 1937 British Amateur Golf
Championship. His career stalled when he was beaten by Arnold
Palmer on the last hole of the US Amateur Golf Championship in
1954, the match that launched Palmers golfing stardom. It was
specially ordered when new with its kneeling lady mascot, which had
been first introduced in January of 1934. After Sweenys ownership,
this Phantom enjoyed a documented series of owners in the UK and by
the 1960s was on the East Coast of the USA. It eventually came into
the ownership of Dr. Mirkhani of Connecticut. Following a thorough
restoration under his ownership in the early 1980s it was returned
to the UK in the ownership of classic car enthusiast and avid rally
participant, John Sangster. In 1991 it was sought out and acquired
by Sir James Cayzer, flamboyant scion of a shipping empire, friend
of the Queen Mother and collector of early Rolls Royce cars. Sir
James had known this Rolls-Royce during the Sweeny ownership and
returned the car to its original paint and interior specifications.
During Sir James ownership, in 2005 the car had a complete and
documented engine rebuild by Milford Engineering. In addition, the
power steering and overdrive were installed, making for a wonderful
driving experience. When Sir James died in early 2012 his
collection was sold off, at which time the current owner bought the
car. The car still bears Sir James family crest on the rear doors.
The current owner, Mr. John Tulloch, purchased the car for touring
in the USA, including the successful completion of the 26 th Annual
Arizona Copperstate Rally in 2016, a grueling trip of 1,000 miles
in four days. The livery is beautiful in its elegant Steel Dusk
(Gray) and Black two-tone paint, Black Ace Wheel covers and black
walled Firestone tires. The paint has beautiful shine and luster
and has many areas of small touched up chips from normal use. The
chrome and stainless steel are in overall very nice condition, with
wear evident in the high use areas such as the wheel hubs. This
close-coupled Phantom has some appealing styling touches and nicely
finished throughout. It has Marchal headlamps, louvered bonnet and
scuttle, and twin side-mounted spare wheels with fitted covers. We
love the sleek design and its nicely raked and low-cut windscreen
and its bustle back trunk. The interior features a beautiful light
blue leather in very nice condition. There are no rips or tears and
the soft leather is not worn. The carpeting is a wonderful lighter
blue Wilton wool in very nice condition. The rear passenger
compartment has two cigar vanities and the picnic tables have two
vanities built in, one for cosmetics (beveled mirror included) and
the other appropriate for a humidor. In addition, there are two
additional vanity compartments in both of the rear C-pillar posts.
These include doors, mirrors and small compartments for notepads,
pencils and the like. The beautiful curved lines on the interior
wood door cap panels and matching leather lines of the piping give
this a great art deco appeal. Mechanically, the Phantom II has been
thoroughly restored by some of the top engineers specializing in
Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Overall, it is in very nice mechanical
condition, having benefitted from its earlier thorough restoration.
The power steering and overdrive were well engineered and installed
in the UK and make an incredible difference in the driving
experience. Sharp cornering is very easy, as is turning the wheel
while stationary (normally very difficult to do). These
enhancements make this Phantom much more agile to drive and makes
it even pleasurable around town. 43TA is freshly serviced and ready
for use. We did find that the clock and fuel gauge were not
functioning, and that the speedometer wobbles. Otherwise, she is in
great condition for tours and driving. The engine compartment is in
nice show condition and chassis looks as an older restoration with
several thousand enjoyable miles added since. This car comes with a
very extensive history, receipts, documentation, and two versions
of the owners manual, one for shop use and one for show. It has its
wheel wrench and a full compliment of tools, but is without its
original tool tray. For more information and details, please call,
text or email Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or
[email protected] . This Phantom II is available for
viewing in our Phoenix showroom.