The Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental inspired England’s finest coachbuilders, says Mick Walsh, who’s utterly enchanted by the fabulous coupé that Freestone and Webb built for Sir John Leigh
Every automotive enthusiast has had one of those moments when you suddenly see a car that totally captivates you. Be it in a city or on the open road, you find yourself chasing it just to get a better look or, if lucky, even chat to the owner.
The seductive razor-edge form of the unique Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental ‘42PY’ had that effect on two motorists who were so smitten by its style that they chased and flagged down the driver in an attempt to purchase the car.
The first occasion came in 1952. Anthony Gibbs, author of A Passion for Cars, was having a tough day. Due to a lengthy printer’s strike, his firm had gone bankrupt and, as he motored home across London, his mind was elsewhere trying to resolve his business problems.
In an instant, Gibbs was distracted by the car ahead. Registered AXA 60, this sleek coupé featured sporty details including separate helmet-style wings with no running boards, and a low roofline. Mesmerised by the coach built vision, Gibbs gave chase. “I realised that, without seeing it, I had been travelling behind the most beautiful car I had ever seen,” he later recalled. “It was a big black Rolls, shaped very much as my old Delage, but more beautiful still, because, instead of being a drophead, it had a marvellously square-cut top like a brougham.”
After following the Royce for a few miles, Gibbs eventually attracted the attention of the driver and finally, at a crossroads, after jumping out of his car, he managed to convince the alarmed stranger to pull over. Such was Gibbs’ seduction by the Phantom II that he struck a deal on the spot to buy the remarkable conveyance.
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin December 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
