In the realm of British construction history, few names resonate as profoundly as Sir Robert McAlpine (1847-1934). The visionary Victorian entrepreneur, the original Sir Robert, orchestrated a remarkable rags-to-riches journey through initiative and hard work. His legacy continued through his son William (1871-1950) and grandson Robert Edwin (1906-1993). Robert Edwin, fondly known as Edwin, belonged to a prosperous family and developed a penchant for luxury, which extended to his love for thoroughbred motor-cars. In 1932, at the age of 25, Edwin indulged in a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental with tourer coachwork by James Young, marking the beginning of a captivating chapter.
The Real Car Co | 1932 Rolls-Royce PII Continental Tourer H.J. Mulliner | £250,000.00
This illustrious Rolls-Royce, chassis 28MS, embarked on a fascinating journey even before reaching Edwin. Archibald Henry Pass of Pass & Joyce, a renowned London dealership, took the car on an adventurous exploration through the Alps. The expedition aimed to test the Rolls-Royce's prowess on the challenging Stelvio Pass, affirming its capabilities through 44 hairpin bends. This journey, covered in solid ice conditions, solidified the car's reputation as a resilient and high-performance vehicle.
Over the years, Edwin's Phantom underwent transformations, evolving from a tourer to a saloon and later a rakish shooting brake. In 1947, it entered a new phase in Sierra Leone and Ghana, where Dr. Geoffrey Cuthbert Tooth, a distinguished psychologist, repurposed it into a mobile surgery to aid in his work on juvenile delinquency. The car eventually returned to England, undergoing further changes, including a restoration by Henry Wilkins in 1960, who replaced the brake body with the original H. J. Mulliner drophead coupé body from another Phantom.
With the drophead body featuring a dickey seat for extra passengers, the Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental, now registered as RF 9191, remains an elegant and historically rich automobile. As it transitions to new ownership, the car carries the legacy of numerous remarkable chapters, each contributing to its unique and storied history.
The Phantom is presently for sale with the Real Car Co. in Wales for £250,000, read more about it HERE.
If you are interested in exploring advertising with us, I encourage you to get in touch. Please feel free to contact me directly, and I will be more than happy to provide you with further information, answer any questions you may have, and guide you through the process.
Nick Aylieff | Classic Motors For Sale |
