To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Arizona event, 17 - 18
January 2019.
Estimate:
$225,000 - $275,000
- Offered from a prominent private collection
- Formerly owned by John McMullen; known history since new
- A highly desirable, original U.S.-delivery "AJS" chassis
- The most handsome formal body style, immaculately restored
- Numerous awards, including Best of Show at the Lake Mirror
Classic
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
Records of the Rolls-Royce Foundation indicate that this original
American-delivery Phantom II was initially ordered as a St. Martin
town car. However, the body style was changed to the more modern
and attractive Newport, with its distinctive angled windshield and
"swept cowl," prior to delivery, as John Webb de Campi's
Rolls-Royce in America notes the current coachwork to be the
original body for this chassis.
The Foundation's records note the earliest known owner of chassis
no. 253AJS as Mrs. John M. Sturgeon III, ex-wife of New York
financier and railroad heir, Edwin Gould II. While no documentation
exists to prove the fact, it is believed that Mrs. Gould or her
former husband had indeed been the Phantom II's original owner.
In 1946 the Phantom II was sold by Mrs. Gould to Elmo L. Joseph.
After settling in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Mr. Joseph had the
restoration of the car begun, but passed away in 1994 before much
work had been completed. Longtime Classic Car Club of America
member Richard Sahlin then purchased the car from the estate and
sent it to Brian Joseph's Classic & Exotic Service of Troy,
Michigan, for a complete restoration.
In a recent conversation with RM Sotheby's Research & Editorial
staff, Brian Joseph noted that the car remained in very solid
condition, and required no major mechanical work during the
restoration, as it ran and shifted well with only minor sorting.
The body was stripped and properly refinished in a beautiful,
subtle two-tone grey, with complementary broadcloth upholstery.
Such wonderful, charming correct original features as a "hidey
hole" for an umbrella, under the chauffeur's seat, were
preserved.
The freshly completed car was sold by Mr. Sahlin's estate in 1999
to the renowned collector John McMullen, and spent the next eight
years in his wonderful Michigan stable. Subsequent owners followed
in Ontario and Florida. The restoration has been beautifully
maintained and is still show-worthy, as evidenced by the class
awards it received in 2016 at the Amelia Island, Hilton Head, and
Ault Park Concours d'Elegance, as well as Best of Show at the Lake
Mirror Classic. It was also driven on an extended, nearly
1,000-mile tour last year, nearly trouble-free.
A superb Phantom II with an excellent restoration and outstanding
known history, this car will undoubtedly continue to have a
starring role at concours d'elegance for its next proud owners.To
view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/az19.
