1931 Rolls Royce Phantom II

The Phantom II: Rolls-Royce’s Pre-War Masterpiece

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II, introduced at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show in London, was widely regarded as the pinnacle of pre-war Rolls-Royce engineering. Following the legendary 40/50hp Silver Ghost and the New Phantom (Phantom I), the Phantom II offered cutting-edge mechanical advancements while preserving the brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship.

Key improvements included:

• Unit construction of the engine and gearbox for improved rigidity
• Enhanced ride quality and handling
• Superior braking performance
• A 7.7-litre, six-cylinder pushrod overhead valve engine, running almost silently while delivering ample powerfor even the most extravagant custom coachwork

The Phantom II became the car of choice for royalty, aristocrats, and captains of industry, its client list reading like an international Who’s Who of the era.

Chassis 9GX: A Car for the Connoisseur

Among the many Phantom IIs built, Chassis 9GX stands out as an exceptionally preserved and continuously documented example, maintaining museum-quality integrity while displaying a lifetime of careful maintenance.

Factory records confirm that 9GX’s chassis was laid down in late 1930 and underwent chassis testing on 24 September 1930. In March 1931, Rolls-Royce sold the chassis to Barker & Co. (Coachbuilders) Ltd. of 66 South Audley Street, London, commissioned for Major Robert Carlyle of West Didsbury, Manchester.

A Tailored Saloon Limousine by Barker

On 7 May 1931, the completed chassis 9GX was delivered to Barker & Co. Ltd., where it was fitted with a bespoke saloon limousine body, built to Major Carlyle’s exacting specifications:

• Twin spare wheel carrier at the rear
• A second spare wheel for long-distance touring
• Dropped-sided bonnet
• Dual-measurement speedometer (registering in both miles and kilometres)

After final testing at Barker’s workshop on 16 June 1931, the Rolls-Royce Guarantee for 9GX took effect on 22 June 1931.

A Life of Grand Touring and Prestige

Major Carlyle remained the first and sole owner of 9GX until his passing in 1935, after which the car was sold to Eric Goodbehere of Stockport. Over the following decades, it passed through the hands of several distinguished owners:

• 1953 – Acquired by K.H. Dixon of Skegness

• 1959 – Purchased by W.D.N. (David) Berry of Yorkshire, who embarked on extensive UK and Continental tours, including demanding Alpine drives

• 1969 – Berry described the car’s remarkable performance in the Pyrenees, overtaking a new Mercedes-Benz in top gear on a mountain ascent, much to the disbelief of its German driver. He later remarked:

  “The Phantom II deserves to pass into history. A motor car which was, and still is, ‘adequate for the purpose for which it was designed’—a grand touring car of character, comfort, grace, and elegance.”

The car was also featured in John Oldham’s book, The Rolls-Royce 40/50hp, and Lawrence Dalton’s authoritative work, Those Elegant Rolls-Royce (page 42, Barker section).

A Showcase of 1931 Coachbuilding Excellence

The coachwork on 9GX represents the height of Barker’s craftsmanship, reflecting unparalleled elegance and attention to detail. Designed for both driver and passenger comfort, its features include:

• Barker dipping headlights, operated via a lever at the driver’s right hand
• Wind deflectors integrated into the side windows
• A windscreen visor for improved driver comfort
• A quick-lift window lever on the driver’s door, enhancing safety
• Rear seating luxuries, including:
  • Head cushions
  • A centre seat divide
  • Smoker’s and vanity sets
  • Newspaper nets built into the roof
• Front seats mounted on precision-engineered sliders, ideal for an owner-driver setup
• Door map pockets, perfect for long-distance Continental touring

9GX’s Legacy in the Tattersall Collection

For 27 years, 9GX held pride of place in the collection of connoisseur Jack Tattersall, sharing garage space with some of the world's most iconic marques, including Bentley, Packard, Hispano-Suiza, and Isotta-Fraschini. Despite owning many other exotic classics, Tattersall considered 9GX his personal favorite.

Preservation & Current Condition

Though lightly used in recent years, 9GX remains in excellent running order, maintaining:

• Lucas 'Bullseye' headlamps
• A mirror-backed swivel spotlight
• A centre driving light
• A rear 'STOP' light
• A running board tool locker
• Leather gaitered leaf springs
• Practical wheel discs

The original Rolls-Royce toolkit remains intact in the boot lid, while the two rear-mounted spare wheels—as originally specified—enhance both the touring practicality and visual appeal of the car.

Though repainted many years ago, the coachwork has aged immaculately, and the beige cloth interior remains of museum quality. Notably, early records indicate that seat covers were fitted for much of the car’s life, likely preserving the original upholstery.