Adorable Story #51: the cars of the Adorable Times - Special Edition

This week we will cover some of the most special cars featured in the Adorable Stories

“Don’t play my horse today, I don’t feel lucky”

— Prince Aly Khan

The 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupe originally gifted by Barbara Hutton to Prince Alexis Mdivani

Dear Friends,

With this Special Edition we will cover the history surrounding the cars of three characters previously featured in our Adorable Stories.

We will cover:

1. Alexis Mdivani’s Rolls Royce Phantom II;

2. Ricky di Portanova’s Ferrari Superamerica;

3. Aly Khan’s Lancia Flaminia.

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1. Alexis Mdivani’s Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Drophead Coupe (chassis 3MW) (1933)

Background

The Georgian Prince Alexis Mdivani married the heiress Louise Astor Van Alen in May 1931.

According to some, Alexis’ sister, Roussadana Mdivani, deliberately arranged an affair between her brother and Barbara Hutton in order to link Alexis with the even richer Barbara Hutton.

After Louise discovered her husband’s affair, she immediately separated from Alexis who in turn moved to Paris with his new love, Barbara.

An engagement quickly followed, with a custom Rolls-Royce ordered to celebrate the union.

This particular Rolls-Royce (chassis 3MW) was among the most opulent Phantom II Continentals ever constructed by the British automaker.

The Car

This car was the first of just three Phantom II Continentals fitted with drophead “sedanca” coupe bodies by Thrupp & Maberly.