The quintessential Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental is the so-called ‘Owen’ drophead sedanca coupe body, drawn and built by Chelsea coachbuilder J.

Gurney Nutting under the name of the London dealer reportedly involved in its creation.

The lines of this body were beyond compare, including an extremely long hoodline, a sweeping curved beltline molding, flowing open fenders, and a relatively short stern.

While 18 examples of the Owen drophead sedanca coupe were produced, the fixed head coupe version is considerably rarer, and the particular car offered here, chassis no.

170MY, is fully unique in its rakishly proportioned “blind quarter” roofline; a single rear-mounted spare; polished aluminum wheel covers; and a smoothly integrated, sloping trunk, giving it even more sporting pretensions.

It was drawn for Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen, no relation to the dealer; he was president of the British American Tobacco Company and founder of the Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft Company of Eastleigh, as wel...