Test Drive - 1933 Rolls Royce Phantom II Brewster Newport Town Car!

This is a beautifully preserved example of the iconic 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster Newport Town Car that has been loved and cared for since new by major collectors. 298AJS is one of eight of the gorgeous and desirable Newport Town Cars coachbuilt by Brewster. Being an AJS series Phantom II, this represents one of only 125 left hand drive with center gear shift Rolls-Royces made with all of the most refined improvements. Having accumulated a mere 37,954 miles from new, this has been a part of many top collections including that of Bruce Meyer and the Academy of Arts in San Fransisco. 298AJS has been owned by RROC members since 1951.
Ordered new through Rolls-Royce of America on January 21, 1930 for Mrs. Elizabeth Horne of Sewickley, PA (with further residences at 550 Park Avenue, Manhattan and Southampton, New York), the complete chassis and body were dispatched from the factory on July 31, 1933. By August 5, 1933, 298AJS had arrived in New York aboard the SS Soythia. By 1951, John Hunt had acquired the Town Car where it was listed in the 1953 RROC directory, two years after the establishment of the RROC. In 2004, the noted collector Bruce Meyer from Beverley Hills enjoyed the Rolls until it was part of the famed Richard Stephens collection, the founder of the Academy of Arts in San Fransisco.
298AJS is the ultimate in luxury with its two-toned Gray and Black livery. Over the past year, the present owner has repainted most of the fenders in its original Masons Black with beautiful shine and luster. The Black on the upper portions of the body and hood appear to be original along with the Gray sides of the body. There are many small areas of touched up paint in the higher use areas but overall it looks wonderful and would present beautifully in a preservation concours class.
The body lines of the Newport Town Car are considered one of perfect proportions, with excellent style lines and a wonderful mix of elegance and beauty. The long sweeping fenders, raked windshield, long hood eliminating the cowl, stylized Brewster door handles and even the chrome door caps are all touches unique to Brewster.
The interior is beautifully preserved with restoration performed only as needed. The driver’s compartment is a delight to experience when driving. The open chauffer’s compartment with its raked windscreen makes it very comfortable for driving. All of the instruments work as they should, save for the fuel gauge and the clock. The original black dashboard has superficial cracking from the original lacquer and the black leather seating has been replaced.
The passenger compartment is in spectacular original condition. The wood appears to be a unique black and taupe painted finish in a simple and elegant art deco design. The grey wool broadcloth is in gorgeous original condition with German Silver finished door and window handles. There are twin jump seats allowing for five passengers in the rear compartment with the chauffeurs sliding window providing any needed privacy. Twin vanities and a shade for the rear window complete the formality of the interior. Overall, this is a fantastic original interior that is sure to win awards for preservation.
The engine compartment is home to the massive 7.7 liter inline-six engine that is the ultimate of refinement. This is the original engine (No. R75A) with matching numbered components. The later AJS Series engine delivered smoother power and better performance and is coupled with a four-speed manual transmission, which includes synchromesh on third and fourth gears. The engine compartment is beautifully detailed and includes the Dunlap wheel wrench and hammer. The drivetrain is quiet and powerful and performed well even in the 100-degree Fahrenheit weather in Phoenix.
298AJS comes with a significant file of its history from new. Please review the 161 photos in the photo gallery on the Classic Promenade website or review the three videos showing the detail about 298AJS.
For more information and details, please call or text Harry Clark at +1.602.245.7200 or email us at [e-mail]. The Rolls is available for inspection at our Phoenix showroom. We are pleased to offer FaceTime or WhatsApp live video inspections and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are interested in financing.