Rolls-Royce Phantom II – Four-door convertible owned by Alexis Kellner, Berlin
Chassis No. 226AJS · Engine No. B55M · Delivered in April 1931 · Left-hand drive ex works

The Rolls-Royce Phantom II is considered by many connoisseurs to be the brand’s most desirable pre-war model: It was the last model to be developed entirely under the direction of Sir Henry Royce. A total of 1,675 units were produced between 1929 and 1936. The car offered here holds a special place among them. It is one of only 125 left-hand-drive Phantom IIs built ex-factory, the only one of which was delivered to Germany, and the only Phantom II ever to feature a body by Alexis Kellner of Berlin.

One of six
The left-hand-drive models of the AJS and AMS chassis series were built in Derby specifically for the American market; the leading “A” stands for “America.” 119 of the 125 vehicles went to North America, with only six going to customers in the rest of the world. Chassis 226AJS is one of those six vehicles.

Car body
Starting in 1910/11, Alexis Kellner was among the leading names in German coachbuilding. His Berlin-based company advertised with slogans such as “The Princes’ Coachworks” and protected its designs with numerous patents, particularly for its spring-assisted convertible tops, which could be operated by a single person. Records show that only three Rolls-Royces were fitted with bodies by Alexis Kellner, Berlin: a 20 H.P. (1925), a Phantom I (1928), and this Phantom II.

According to factory records, the body was built on a subframe (Sub Frame No. L1755) and mounted as a complete unit on rubber mounts onto the long chassis. This ensures high torsional rigidity and noticeably smoother ride quality. The car still retains its original body to this day, without any later modifications or body replacements. The bodybuilder’s plaque “Alexis Kellner Berlin,” along with a note regarding protection under a German Reich patent, is still present.

Among the details are a tilting windshield with two large, adjustable sun visors, a steering wheel with a horn ring (still a novelty in 1931), adjustable individual front seats, burl wood and leather in the interior, two spare tires, and the finely molded crease on the front fenders.

History
The vehicle was ordered through the Rolls-Royce dealership in Geneva, delivered to Germany as a chassis in April 1931, bodied in Berlin, and handed over to its first owner in Switzerland. In 1935, it passed to a second Swiss owner, with whom it remained until the 1960s. During World War II, it was taken out of service for several years due to gasoline rationing. The car subsequently found its way to Belgium, where it was owned by a technically knowledgeable enthusiast; most of his correspondence with the factory has been preserved. In the early 1980s, it was imported to Germany and has been in the possession of a German collector ever since. There has never been a period of neglect in this car’s history.

Restoration and Documentation
As early as 2004–2005, the engine underwent a complete overhaul at specialized shops (crankshaft bearings, cylinders, pistons, camshaft; cost over 20,000 euros). In subsequent years, the cylinder head and engine block were also replaced, at a significantly higher cost.

Since 2017, the vehicle has been fully restored. The work also included the engine and transmission, so that the car is now in a fully restored condition throughout.

Factory Specifications and Technical Details
The chassis cards confirm that Rolls-Royce delivered a vehicle brought up to the latest standards: at the customer’s request, it featured wider brake drums on the rear axle and a correspondingly wider rear track, along with an engine with improved lubrication. The speedometer in kilometers, the fuel gauge in liters, and the French-language model plaque on the dashboard are all consistent with the vehicle’s delivery to continental Europe.

• Inline six-cylinder engine, 7,668 ccm (bore × stroke 108 × 139.7 mm), overhead valves
• 92 HP at 2,500 rpm according to factory test bench report
• Dual ignition (battery and magneto)
• Four-speed transmission, single-plate dry clutch, cardan drive
• Semi-elliptical springs and hydraulic shock absorbers all around
• Four-wheel drum brakes with brake booster
• Long chassis (wheelbase 3,810 mm)

Price: on request

If you have any further questions or are interested in this vehicle, please contact us.