LOT 259 •
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly Roadster Chassis no. S391 FM
Estimate: US$250,000 - US$280,000
Lot 259•
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly Roadster Chassis no. S391 FM
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly Roadster
Chassis no. S391 FM
Chassis no. S391 FM
Introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 to replace the Silver Ghost, the New Phantom (retrospectively known as the Phantom I) boasted an entirely new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 7,668cc, and like the contemporary 20hp model adopted a disc-type clutch and adjustable radiator shutters. Its chassis though, remained essentially the same as that of the later, four-wheel-braked Silver Ghost and would continue fundamentally unchanged until the arrival of the Phantom II in 1929 which brought with it an entirely new frame.
Like its ’Ghost predecessor, the New Phantom was also produced by Rolls-Royce of America Incorporated, a subsidiary set up in December 1919 when the parent company purchased the American Wire Wheel Company’s plant in Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield commenced manufacture of the New Phantom in 1926, and by the second half of 1929 production had risen to 12 cars per week. This would prove to be the high point of Rolls-Royce of America’s fortunes, the October ’29 Wall Street Crash and the introduction of the Phantom II - re-tooling for which the US company could not afford - signaling the beginning of its decline. Unlike its British-built counterpart, the American product could be ordered with ‘factory’ bodywork, usually by Brewster, the latter company having been taken over by Rolls-Royce in December 1925. The Phantom I was in production for only five years and the Derby-built models ran parallel with the Springfield cars but ended in 1929, whereas the Americans continued until 1931.
Springfield offered a line of factory bodies designed by Ray Dietrich, then of LeBaron coachworks in New York City, and they were distinguished by their British geographic names -- the roadster being dubbed the Piccadilly after the London traffic circle that surrounds the statue of Eros. Rolls-Royce had its own coachworks on Waltham Avenue in Springfield, but most of the bodies were subcontracted to other builders who delivered the bodies to Waltham Avenue ‘in the white’ -- meaning that they were primed but unpainted, un-upholstered and without the top canvas. Waltham Avenue would finish them to suit the customer’s order.
A quick glance at the records reproduced in the late John Webb de Campi’s authoritative work ‘Rolls-Royce’ in America, denotes that S391FM was the only Springfield built chassis ever to wear a design called the ‘Dovedale’ a variant of better known Lonsdale body, only to owner/driver specification having no division.
When new, it was supplied to G.L. Gugle whose location is not listed, though a delivery date is recorded as April 2nd, 1928. As was commonplace for these dependable chassis, at some point the formal coachwork’s desirability waned and it was switched for the original Piccadilly body it wears to this day.
Fresh out of restoration, the already handsome lines of the Piccadilly Roadster design have been enhanced by a carefully chosen two tone livery, which is distinctly ‘Roaring Twenties’ and suits the car well. Recent work carried out on the car has included some entrusted to renowned marque expert Steve Littin of Ohio. The new interior, top and new gaiters complete an extremely attractive overall presentation.
Coveted for their looks, the Piccadilly body underpinned by Rolls’s reliable drivetrain makes for a popular and dependable car for tours and events, this particular example can add the dimension of concours potential to its repartee.
Like its ’Ghost predecessor, the New Phantom was also produced by Rolls-Royce of America Incorporated, a subsidiary set up in December 1919 when the parent company purchased the American Wire Wheel Company’s plant in Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield commenced manufacture of the New Phantom in 1926, and by the second half of 1929 production had risen to 12 cars per week. This would prove to be the high point of Rolls-Royce of America’s fortunes, the October ’29 Wall Street Crash and the introduction of the Phantom II - re-tooling for which the US company could not afford - signaling the beginning of its decline. Unlike its British-built counterpart, the American product could be ordered with ‘factory’ bodywork, usually by Brewster, the latter company having been taken over by Rolls-Royce in December 1925. The Phantom I was in production for only five years and the Derby-built models ran parallel with the Springfield cars but ended in 1929, whereas the Americans continued until 1931.
Springfield offered a line of factory bodies designed by Ray Dietrich, then of LeBaron coachworks in New York City, and they were distinguished by their British geographic names -- the roadster being dubbed the Piccadilly after the London traffic circle that surrounds the statue of Eros. Rolls-Royce had its own coachworks on Waltham Avenue in Springfield, but most of the bodies were subcontracted to other builders who delivered the bodies to Waltham Avenue ‘in the white’ -- meaning that they were primed but unpainted, un-upholstered and without the top canvas. Waltham Avenue would finish them to suit the customer’s order.
A quick glance at the records reproduced in the late John Webb de Campi’s authoritative work ‘Rolls-Royce’ in America, denotes that S391FM was the only Springfield built chassis ever to wear a design called the ‘Dovedale’ a variant of better known Lonsdale body, only to owner/driver specification having no division.
When new, it was supplied to G.L. Gugle whose location is not listed, though a delivery date is recorded as April 2nd, 1928. As was commonplace for these dependable chassis, at some point the formal coachwork’s desirability waned and it was switched for the original Piccadilly body it wears to this day.
Fresh out of restoration, the already handsome lines of the Piccadilly Roadster design have been enhanced by a carefully chosen two tone livery, which is distinctly ‘Roaring Twenties’ and suits the car well. Recent work carried out on the car has included some entrusted to renowned marque expert Steve Littin of Ohio. The new interior, top and new gaiters complete an extremely attractive overall presentation.
Coveted for their looks, the Piccadilly body underpinned by Rolls’s reliable drivetrain makes for a popular and dependable car for tours and events, this particular example can add the dimension of concours potential to its repartee.
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| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |