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Details
THE HENLEY COUPE
1934 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II HENLEY COUPE
COACHWORK BY BREWSTER
Chassis No. 221 AMS
Engine No. U75J
Black with black leather interior and tan canvas covered fixed head
Engine: six cylinder, 7,668cc, 130bhp at 3,000rpm, Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers all around; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive.
In 1929 the Rolls-Royce Derby works introduced their Phantom II. The most notable changes were in the chassis and suspension which now included front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs in addition to hydraulic shock absorbers on all wheels. The innovative 'one-shot' Springfield chassis lubrication system that supplied oil to every moving part on the chassis was also included on the new Phantom II model. The engine, clutch housing and gearbox were now assembled in unit and the previous open propeller shaft and spiral bevel final drive were replaced by the Hotchkiss drive with hypoid bevel rear axle . The engine had been reworked internally with a new aluminum cylinder head. This total package provided far greater performance, with better handling and braking that put many sports cars to shame. When first introduced, the Phantom II was touted as the fastest luxury car in the world, providing never before accomplished speed with comfort, speed with safety, speed with quietness and speed with durability.
Rolls-Royce produced 125 left hand drive chassis, of which 90 were shipped to New York to be adorned with elegant coachwork by the esteemed craftsmen of Brewster & Co., who adopted names from English towns such as Huntingdon, Newport and Henley for their models. Of the 90 cars built, it is believed that a mere 10 Henley models were made, nine of which were roadsters with the remaining single car being this one-off and spectacular Coupe. The Henley Coupe is considered by many to be one of the most attractive Phantom IIs ever built.
Chassis number 221 AMS was originally sold to a Mrs. M. E. Williams of Cincinnati, Ohio and very little is known about the car's history until it was discovered by Donald Weesner in the early 1950s. Mr. Weesner came to hear of the Henley Coupe's whereabouts and he and his wife immediately embarked on a journey to Ohio via railcar, invigorated by the prospect of seeing and hopefully purchasing the car. When he saw 221 AMS for the first time, he could not believe his eyes. He knew of the beautiful Henley bodied Phantom IIs, but was enchanted by the Coupe which had a much lower and raked-back windshield and tan canvas fixed head - he bought the Phantom II Henley on the spot.
Mr. and Mrs. Weesner then left Cincinnati behind the wheel of 221 AMS, driving their new pride and joy, the Henley Coupe, all the way back to Minnesota. There Mr. Weesner proudly displayed his new aquisition and was often seen driving it on local tours and events. Though the Henley Coupe naturally became Mr. Weesner's favorite car, the frequency with which he toured the car seems to have been limited. The car has hardly been seen except for during brief excursions to keep the engine running in proper mechanical order.
Today the Henley Coupe is still largely in very original condition and has the patina and feel of a car that has never been exposed to any major restoration work. The exterior may have been repainted at some time. The motor and engine bay are in remarkably presentable and clean condition, which is indicative of the special attention that was paid to maintaining the overall interior and exterior appearance of 221 AMS while in Mr. Weesner's garage. The gauges appear to be correct and the odometer reads 31,487 miles, believed to be original from new. The panel fit is quite excellent and the rumble seat hatch, with its side entry door, and the Brewster style suicide doors close extremely well. We are told that a new gas tank was fitted to the car within the last several years. The original window glass, though presentable, appears to have yellowed slightly with age. The Rolls-Royce Henley Coupe comes complete with its own custom headlamp and running light covers and is fitted with aftermarket dual side spots. The brightwork is very presentable, as is the underbody, which appears to be clean and in good overall condition. The radiator shell and shutter louvers are made of 'Staybright' stainless steel, quite an innovation for its day.
The Henley Coupe is further distinguished by its low raked windshield. This highlights a far sleeker and more sporting look when compared to the taller and more upright V-shaped windshield used on the Roadsters. Featured in John Webb de Campi's book, Rolls-Royce in America, the Henley Coupe is pictured on page 129 with four of the Henley Roadsters; this picture is one of the few published photos of Donald Weesner's Henley Coupe. It is interesting to note that many of the Roadsters are frequently pictured with their tops up, rather than folded, and the Coupe immediately stands out with its attractive and purposeful lines. The unquestionable appeal of the Coupe was proven by one Henley Roadster owner who converted his Roadster to a Coupe.
The Weesner Henley Coupe is believed to have been offered for sale only three times in its long history: the first time was in 1934 when it was brand new with a price of nearly $18,000 in the depths of the Depression, the second time was in the early 1950s when it was purchased by Donald Weesner, and the third time is today. We are delighted to be offering this important and unique motor car for sale.
1934 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II HENLEY COUPE
COACHWORK BY BREWSTER
Chassis No. 221 AMS
Engine No. U75J
Black with black leather interior and tan canvas covered fixed head
Engine: six cylinder, 7,668cc, 130bhp at 3,000rpm, Gearbox: four speed manual; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs with hydraulic shock absorbers all around; Brakes: four wheel drum. Left hand drive.
In 1929 the Rolls-Royce Derby works introduced their Phantom II. The most notable changes were in the chassis and suspension which now included front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs in addition to hydraulic shock absorbers on all wheels. The innovative 'one-shot' Springfield chassis lubrication system that supplied oil to every moving part on the chassis was also included on the new Phantom II model. The engine, clutch housing and gearbox were now assembled in unit and the previous open propeller shaft and spiral bevel final drive were replaced by the Hotchkiss drive with hypoid bevel rear axle . The engine had been reworked internally with a new aluminum cylinder head. This total package provided far greater performance, with better handling and braking that put many sports cars to shame. When first introduced, the Phantom II was touted as the fastest luxury car in the world, providing never before accomplished speed with comfort, speed with safety, speed with quietness and speed with durability.
Rolls-Royce produced 125 left hand drive chassis, of which 90 were shipped to New York to be adorned with elegant coachwork by the esteemed craftsmen of Brewster & Co., who adopted names from English towns such as Huntingdon, Newport and Henley for their models. Of the 90 cars built, it is believed that a mere 10 Henley models were made, nine of which were roadsters with the remaining single car being this one-off and spectacular Coupe. The Henley Coupe is considered by many to be one of the most attractive Phantom IIs ever built.
Chassis number 221 AMS was originally sold to a Mrs. M. E. Williams of Cincinnati, Ohio and very little is known about the car's history until it was discovered by Donald Weesner in the early 1950s. Mr. Weesner came to hear of the Henley Coupe's whereabouts and he and his wife immediately embarked on a journey to Ohio via railcar, invigorated by the prospect of seeing and hopefully purchasing the car. When he saw 221 AMS for the first time, he could not believe his eyes. He knew of the beautiful Henley bodied Phantom IIs, but was enchanted by the Coupe which had a much lower and raked-back windshield and tan canvas fixed head - he bought the Phantom II Henley on the spot.
Mr. and Mrs. Weesner then left Cincinnati behind the wheel of 221 AMS, driving their new pride and joy, the Henley Coupe, all the way back to Minnesota. There Mr. Weesner proudly displayed his new aquisition and was often seen driving it on local tours and events. Though the Henley Coupe naturally became Mr. Weesner's favorite car, the frequency with which he toured the car seems to have been limited. The car has hardly been seen except for during brief excursions to keep the engine running in proper mechanical order.
Today the Henley Coupe is still largely in very original condition and has the patina and feel of a car that has never been exposed to any major restoration work. The exterior may have been repainted at some time. The motor and engine bay are in remarkably presentable and clean condition, which is indicative of the special attention that was paid to maintaining the overall interior and exterior appearance of 221 AMS while in Mr. Weesner's garage. The gauges appear to be correct and the odometer reads 31,487 miles, believed to be original from new. The panel fit is quite excellent and the rumble seat hatch, with its side entry door, and the Brewster style suicide doors close extremely well. We are told that a new gas tank was fitted to the car within the last several years. The original window glass, though presentable, appears to have yellowed slightly with age. The Rolls-Royce Henley Coupe comes complete with its own custom headlamp and running light covers and is fitted with aftermarket dual side spots. The brightwork is very presentable, as is the underbody, which appears to be clean and in good overall condition. The radiator shell and shutter louvers are made of 'Staybright' stainless steel, quite an innovation for its day.
The Henley Coupe is further distinguished by its low raked windshield. This highlights a far sleeker and more sporting look when compared to the taller and more upright V-shaped windshield used on the Roadsters. Featured in John Webb de Campi's book, Rolls-Royce in America, the Henley Coupe is pictured on page 129 with four of the Henley Roadsters; this picture is one of the few published photos of Donald Weesner's Henley Coupe. It is interesting to note that many of the Roadsters are frequently pictured with their tops up, rather than folded, and the Coupe immediately stands out with its attractive and purposeful lines. The unquestionable appeal of the Coupe was proven by one Henley Roadster owner who converted his Roadster to a Coupe.
The Weesner Henley Coupe is believed to have been offered for sale only three times in its long history: the first time was in 1934 when it was brand new with a price of nearly $18,000 in the depths of the Depression, the second time was in the early 1950s when it was purchased by Donald Weesner, and the third time is today. We are delighted to be offering this important and unique motor car for sale.