This is a beautifully restored, award winning 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II, chassis 3XJ, that is one of the famed Maharaja examples. Being royally commissioned, this bespoke Thrupp & Maberly all-weather tourer is one of the most beautiful designs having been sent back to its coachbuilder to be “updated” from the Hooper original body in 1935. This is an ideal example that would be welcomed at any concours event worldwide as well as a delight to drive.

Finished in Ultra Black with red dual pinstripes and retaining its original British registration plate, DS8794, this Phantom II remains in beautiful fully-restored condition with exceptional provenance and concours history. This Phantom has benefitted by being restored and maintained by several of the very best, most capable engineers in the Pre-War Rolls-Royce industry.  During its restoration, 3XJ benefitted from the installation of an excellent power steering system.  The power from its massive original 7.7-liter engine (ZH 25) and its precise and easy power steering makes it a pleasure to drive. As an all-weather tourer, the Phantom can be configured an open tourer or enclosed saloon with division. 3XJ is ideally suited for concours exhibition, RROC touring, or inclusion in a serious prewar collection focused on Indian Royal provenance.

Built in 1929, chassis 3XJ was originally ordered by His Highness Maharaja Rameshwar Singh Bahadur of Darbhanga, one of India’s most influential princely rulers and a devoted Phantom II patron. Delivered new to Calcutta aboard the S.S. Mulberra, the Rolls-Royce was first bodied by Hooper before returning to England in 1935 to receive the current Thrupp & Maberly all-weather tourer coachwork, a transformation documented by The Autocar in January 1936. This Phantom remained in the Darbhanga collection for 38 years before returning to England in 1967, at which time mileage was recorded at approximately 8,000 original miles. Chassis 3XJ later passed through notable collectors in the United States and Europe and underwent a comprehensive restoration between 1997 and 2009.  This Phantom has a significant history at many of the most important RROC and concours events, including earning Best in Class at the 2009 Meadow Brook Concours, and exhibited at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the “Motor Cars of the Raj” class.

The exterior of chassis 3XJ is finished in deep Ultra Black with dual red coachlines and presents with beautiful depth consistent with an older, high-quality restoration. The gorgeous Thrupp & Maberly body features a distinctive swept cowl molding, skirted fenders, polished brightwork, and an all-weather folding roof that allows conversion from open tourer to fully enclosed saloon. The original and rare Grebel headlamps, parking lights and cowl-mounted searchlights as well as its dual horns remain in excellent cosmetic condition. Side-mounted dual spares, painted wire wheels with polished ACE wheel covers, and blackwall tires all remain in excellent condition.

The interior is trimmed in soft and supple brown leather and shows light creasing consistent with careful use. The Maharaja ordered 3XJ with special ivory steering wheel and controls.  The ivory four-spoke steering wheel frames an engine turned metal dashboard with a full complement of gauges and ivory-colored controls. The driver and passenger clocks are present but not currently running. Seatbelts have been installed for four occupants, and the divider window glass separates the front and rear passenger compartments. The spectacular rear vanity cabinets feature book matched burled wood cabinetry with inlaid marquetry and four Rolls-Royce logo wine glasses, adding both visual elegance and period character.

The engine and engine compartment have been beautifully detailed during its restoration.  3XJ retains its original, numbers matching 7.7 liter dual-ignition inline six with dual ignition and magneto.  The four-speed manual transmission has its special ordered ivory-handled floor shifter with its matching emergency brake lever. Semi-elliptical front springs and the rear cantilever system provide the refined ride quality for which the Phantom II is known. Extensive mechanical and cosmetic work was carried out between 1997 and 2009 by leading specialists in England and the United States including Fiennes Motor Engineers, The Vintage Garage, Sports Classics, D&D Classics, E.F. Murphy, Classic Concours Restoration and Doug Seibert Automotive. The most notable restoration work was completed by Sports Classics who rebuilt the engine with new cylinder head, pistons, bearings, seals and completed engine detailing and rebuilt the transmission with new seals. Flagstaffs, electric fuel pump and power steering were installed. All electric was rewired to the original wire specifications. The generator electric starter and water pump were rebuilt. The lamp fixtures were rebuilt, rechromed, resilvered & rewired by Appleyard Vintage Headlamp Restoration Co. Fiennes Engineering in England rebuilt the fuel vac system, replaced kingpins and rebuilt shock absorbers. Regular maintenance was completed by Siebert Rolls-Royce in Rochester, NY. This Phantom II is known for light steering, smooth operation, and reliable tour performance. Chassis 3XJ is accompanied by original factory build sheets and extensive documentation.

For more information and details, please call or text Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com. This Phantom II is available for inspection at our showroom in Phoenix.  We are pleased to coordinate inspections, and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are interested in financing