Phantom II

Neal and Lillian Kirkhams', 1931 PII Barker sedanca de ville 9JS PU65 "The Yellow Rolls-Royce"

(Shown at the 2004 100th Anniversary Meet)

For the article about this car, GoTo: The Yellow Rolls-Royce

Peter Stylianos' 34 PII Continental Park Ward Saloon 8SK LC85

Click on any picture to Enlarge

Lisa and Leon Garoyans' 1930 PII Hooper allweather tourer 143GN "Victoria"

143 GN, ONCE A FRIVOULOUS LADY 

143 GN entered my life in 1970 and has never left my hearth.  Victoria, as we dubbed her, had an interesting, and varied life prior to coming to our household.  Mated by Roll-Royce Ltd. and Hooper on 18 October 1929, she was christened by Jack Barclay Ltd of George St, Hanover square, W1 on 25 October, 1929.  She was finally tested at Hoopers on 29 July, 1930 before delivery. 

143 GN is a long wheelbase all-weather tourer designed and built by Hooper for Count P. Bon de Sousa of Paris.  Originally, she was conceived as a saloon, but never commissioned except as the all-weather that the Count received.  The late R-R authority,  Kenneth Karger, of Pennsylvania,  knew of Count Bon de Sousa, and told me Hooper had built many coaches for him following 143 GN.  His London address was at the Claridges Hotel but his Paris address was 1, rue des italians.  

The car was built on a long wheelbase with  40/50 HP engine number KX 35, to "European" specifications.  She was fitted to "extra second plates to its Firths rear springs" and covered with Jevons gaiters. But little else is indicated for European specifications except that its speedometer and clock positions were transposed. 

Her specifications called for Chromium plated fittings, including radiator shutters, Lucas  P 100 headlamps, RR mascot, and Lucas windscreen wipers. Before delivery, some matte nickel was used.  Side lamps were fitted on the scuttle, and a sun screen was fitted across the top of the windscreen. 

During its 100 mile test, the engine used one pint of oil, and its petrol consumption was reported to be 55 pints per hour.  It developed 195 pounds torque at 500 r.p.m., and 625 pounds in first gear at 3000 r.p.m.  It was fitted with an axle ratio of 11/41. 

Despite its inherent beauty and charm, 143 GN proved to be fickle. After remaining with the Count a short time, we believe she moved with E. Frith of 12, Boulevard de la Madeleine in Paris in September, 1930.  She then took up with A.F.R. Wiggins, Esq. of Sandhills, Christchurch, Kents in April, 1932.  Two years later, she moved in with L.L.B. Anges of 55 Onslow Gardens, London.  Sometime in her young life she took up with W.L. Milligarr, an M.D. at St. James Hospital in Milton, Portsmouth.  We think that occurred in September, 1946  Then , she took up with K. Hutchison, Headley Grove Estates, Near Epsom, Surrey in about June, 1951.  We believe her last know English address was in 1952 with Eric Michlethwait, of 31 High Holborn, London. 

Sometime in the early 1950's she moved with a G I to California.  I found her  in 1970 in the northern California hamlet  of Loleta, about 150 miles north of San Francisco, when she and a 1930 Pierce-Arrow dual cowl phaeton were offered for sale. Ironically, the Pierce-Arrow was shipped to London in 1939 and spent the war years in England before returning with 143 GN to California.  

After test driving both cars, I found the Rolls to be a solid, matronly vehicle.  By contrast, the Pierce was a spritely colt.  Unable to make a decision between them I bought both cars.   After 32 years of marriage, their owners were divorcing.  I agreed to keep the cars together as a family, and I did for 24 years, when I sold the Pierce-Arrow after I had restored her to perfection. She had won awards such a "most elegant open car" at Pebble Beach, and best restored Pierce-Arrow from the National Pierce-Arrow Society. 

During its early years with me, 143 GN was a "driver" for club activities.  It was completely original-- from its black nitrocellulose lacquer paint, grey canvas top, and mechanical condition.  We noticed its wiring looked dangerous, so when in London we picked up a supply of color coded wiring and fittings, with the intention of a complete rewiring.  We found doing that work with the body in place is a formidable task, but we did it and correctly.  While still in the shop, we noticed a large pool of water under the engine.  A brief examination showed it to be seepage from the aluminium head. What was  originally to be a complete replacement of wiring loomed much more serious. 

Talks with the late Herb Wuestoff and partner Roger Slagle led to a decision to restore 143 GN to its original luster and appearance.  The engine was removed and rebuilt.  A Wuestoff-Slagle cam arrangement was installed.  A new head was obtained from Frank Cooke, and new pistons  were forged by Vanolia.  The bottom end was cleaned, scoped, and found to have less than one-half thousands wear, so we relied on Rolls-Royce quality to see us through-- with 90,000 miles on the engine. 

The body was removed, the chassis restored along with all of the running gear, and the restoration process began to proceed from tearing down and repairing to building up and replacing.  Sometime during the mid-1930's an owner had added skirts to the front wings, which we removed, and found the original skirts to be in place and repairable.  We found torn engine mounts, in fact, anything that moved that showed wear was purchased when possible, rebuilt when necessary, and replaced. 

Since its restoration, 143 GN has won the RROC prestigious Hooper Award, honorary judges awards, and first in class at about every show where she has been judged. 

Those who would see her from a factory photo can do so in Daltons' "Those Elegant Rolls-Royce" on page 112.  I am enclosing several photos that show how she presently looks.  I have removed the wheel discs, and never did get the sun screen across the top of the windscreen.  Otherwise, she is considered to be as good as factory fresh.  When Ken Karger first saw her after restoration, he remarked, "Hooper would be very pleased".  I know I am. 

It would be nice to hear from anyone who knows about this car and its history.  After 33 years with me, I'd like to know more about the Lady.  I do think I have stabilized her wanderlust, and allowed her to regain her beauty once again. 

Leon Garoyan, Ph. D. 

Member:  RREC; RROC; Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation, RREC Derby Phantom Register; RROC Phantom II Society.