Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental By H.J. Mulliner

GP55 is a short-wheelbase Phantom II Continental, chassis 66GX, finished at Derby in April 1931 and bodied by H.J. Mulliner at Chiswick as a metal Weymann saloon. Factory records show it was ordered through The Car Mart for a Mrs D Allen, with the steering rake changed from 'F' to 'E' in 1935. Its unusual vacuum-powered wipers sweep from side to side while staying upright.

The ownership trail is well documented. A Scottish representative peer, Baron Reay, was the second recorded owner, and the Lillywhite family of West Sussex then kept the car for 60 years until 2007. The current owner bought it in 2022 and plans to use it for fast continental touring.

The car is described as fully restored. It has new Prussian blue paint over black wings, a raw polished aluminium bonnet top, a fabric-covered roof and a new dark blue hide interior. The engine has been rebuilt with a higher-lift cam and higher-compression pistons, and the car has a longer rear axle from Maggs Vintage and a Tim Payne overdrive. The dealer reports a 100 mph reading on a hand-held satellite navigation device and relaxed cruising at 80 mph at about 2,000 rpm. It says the car cost £270,000 when sold to the current owner, and that a further £200,000 has been spent since. The page marks the price as accepted.