Rolls Royce Phantom I 1928, Inglaterra
Fotografia
Replacing its
elegant but aging Silver Ghost chassis was no easy task for Rolls-Royce, but
the New Phantom, which debuted in 1925, was a more-than-worthy successor.
Taking Rolls-Royce into the modern “Roaring Twenties” era of motoring, the
Phantom rode on an improved version of the Silver Ghost’s basic chassis and
reflected the marque’s characteristic design philosophy of careful evolution
rather than revolution.
Nonetheless, the revisions were sufficient to
warrant a new model name. Initially known as the New Phantom but later
retrospectively referred to as the Phantom I, the new model featured a new
inline six-cylinder engine based on an aluminum crankcase with the cylinders
cast in three pairs. A one-piece detachable cylinder head featured a thoroughly
modern pushrod-actuated overhead-valve arrangement.
Production commenced at Derby, England, in
1925 and in 1926 at Rolls-Royce’s Springfield, Massachusetts, production
facility, where the Phantom I was built with left-hand drive for the North
American market. Two wheelbase lengths, 143.5 and 146.5 inches, were offered
for the Springfield cars, providing the ability to accommodate a multitude of
custom-built bodies from the American coachbuilding industry. Prior to the
October 1929 stock-market crash, Springfield production was as high as 12
Phantom I chassis per week. Phantom I construction continued through 1932 at
Springfield, while the model had already been supplanted by the Phantom II at
Derby in 1929. In all, about 1,240 Phantom Is were built at Springfield.
This elegant example, Springfield-built
Phantom I chassis number S391KP, was delivered to a C.E. Chase of West
Hartford, Connecticut, on 29 May 1929 carrying a Lonsdale body. Prior to the
1934 transfer of the car to a Mrs. William C. Kaesche, the car was rebodied
with the current New Newport Town Car coachwork, bearing body number 7434. In
1936, the car was acquired by J.B. Forrestal and subsequently purchased by P.W.
Houston. At some point in the 1940s, the Rolls-Royce was purchased by David
Glenn Collins, who served at the American Consulate in Bilbao, Spain. Its
subsequent history isn’t fully known, but the car has been part of a
well-respected American collection for the last number of years.
Today the car presents in wonderful condition
in a resplendent deep red over black fenders. The car rides on painted wire
wheels wrapped in blackwall tires; a covered spare is mounted at the back. The
driver’s space is completed in black leather and features a wood dashboard
housing Warner Precision instrumentation and a Seth Thomas clock. The car is
equipped with dual wipers and a fold-out windshield. Aftermarket turn signals
have been installed for added safety. Passengers are separated by a sliding divider
window. Their space is elegantly finished in cloth upholstery with luxurious
deep-pile carpeting accented by beautiful wood inlay. A clock is prominently
housed just below the divider window. Additional rear passenger occupancy is
made available by a pair of folding jump seats.
Springfield-built Phantoms are among the most
desirable Full Classics for enjoyment on the open road. This is a wonderful
example with iconic Brewster coachwork and is sure to attract significant
interest wherever the road may take you.
Fonte: https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AF19/Auburn-Fall/lots/r0467-1928-Rolls-Royce-Phantom-I/807666?&utm_source=rmsothebys.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=AF19&utm_term=AF19_recentlyConsigned&utm_content=lot_image&_cldee=am9hb2FsYmVydG9mZXJuYW5kZXNAdW9sLmNvbS5icg%3d%3d&recipientid=contact-7c728a50ab8fe9118229000c2971a03a-429360abe78b44fab79a3e1124d325d6&esid=34a164d5-37c8-e911-822e-000c2971a03a
