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1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable

It was 1925 and the fabled Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, which had been launched in 1906, was being retired. After seven years of testing, the six-cylinder Phantom chassis was introduced. The New Phantom, as it was called, received the Phantom I designation retrospectively when the Phantom II appeared on the scene in 1930. From 1926 until as late as 1931, Phantom I's were built in Springfield, Massachusetts, in addition to those in England. Of the total 3,340 Phantom I's produced, 1,241 were built stateside.

This Hibbard and Darrin Rolls-Royce is unique because it is a 'one of a kind' body. The windshield is not only split, but it is also 'vee' shaped. It is believed Hibbard and Darrin built this car to be unique under the instruction of Joseph Von Sternberg, Marlene Dietrich's director, who was responsible for bringing her to Hollywood. He purchased the car under instructions from Paramount Studios, who paid for it. The car was presented to Miss Dietrich along with a dozen roses and $10,000 in a checking account when she arrived in Hollywood. The car was used in several of her movies, including 'Morocco.' The green gold-flaked paint is the original color, which was duplicated by PPG and applied to the car. With a powerful 7.7 liter, 113 horsepower, six-cylinder engine and luxuriously appointed interior, it is no wonder this car remained her favorite car for many years.

This is one of 35 Phantom I's to wear coachwork to varying styles by Hibbard & Darrin. Howard 'Dutch' Darrin designed and held a patent for the Torpedo Transformable Phaeton of this model, which features distinctive trapezoidal-shaped side windows.
This Rolls-Royce Phantom I was presented as a gift by a director of Paramount Studios to a Hollywood actress named Marlene Dietrich as she exited a train at Pasadena Station on April 14, 1930. It is one of five Springfield-built Phantom Is with the dual-cowl Transformable Phaeton body from Parisian coachbuilders Hibbard & Darrin. The Rolls was featured alongside Dietrich in her debut Paramount film, Morocco. The Rolls-Royce was transferred from Paramount Studios to Dietrich on November 26, 1930. She rarely, if ever drove the car, instead preferring chauffeured travel with her studio-appointed driver, Harry Wright.

The car's next owner was J.R. 'Bob' Creighton whose family would retain it until 1995 when it was sold then exhibiting a partially disassembled, highly original 'barn find' state.

In 2007, the car entered the care of John O'Quinn who sent it to Rick Hamlin of Wellington, Kansas for an exacting, multi-year, six-figure restoration back to its original specifications. During the restoration process, fascinating details of Hibbard & Darrin's patented Sylentlyte cast-Alpax construction method were revealed, along with remnants of its original gold-flaked Medium Green Metallic paint.

Hibbard & Darrin's design cues include tightly nested trapezoidal windows, heavy beltline moldings, and scrolled door handles. The interior contains fine hardware, book-matched wood inlays throughout, an unusual rearview mirror, and a sporty two-piece Vee-windshield design.

When the car left the O'Quinn Collection, it moved to the Mitchell Collection of Montgomery, Texas until 2015. Under their care, it was shown at many concours events throughout the United States, including Hilton Head, Amelia Island, and Pebble Beach.

The car is currently part of the Terence E. Adderley Collection.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2023

2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $375,000-USD $475,000 
Sale Price :
USD $390,000

2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $700,000-USD $1,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $742,500

2012 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Sale, Az

Sale Price :
USD $524,000

1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Phantom I

(Data based on Model Year 1930 sales)
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable Phaeton by Hibbard & Darrin
Chassis#: S317KP
Sold for USD$390,000
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Imperial Faux Cabriolet
Chassis#: 79OR
Sold for USD$127,500
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1930 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Salamanca
Chassis#: S476MR
Sold for USD$128,800
  2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Tourer by Brewster
Chassis#: S402MR
Sold for USD$340,000
  2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan by Brewster
Chassis#: S282KR
Sold for USD$74,800
  2020 RM Sothebys : The Mitosinka Collection
 
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan by Brewster
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$209,000
  2018 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I NEWMARKET ALL WEATHER PHAETON
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$178,750
  2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I YORK ROADSTER
Chassis#: S111FR
Sold for USD$352,000
  2016 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton
Chassis#: S317KP
Sold for USD$742,500
  2015 Bonhams Amelia Island Auction
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$198,000
  2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Newmarket All Weather Phaeton
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$187,000
  2013 Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton
Chassis#: S317KP
Sold for USD$524,000
  2012 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Sale, Az
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket
Chassis#: S484MR
Sold for USD$99,000
  2011 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auctions
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Sport Phaeton
Chassis#: S368LR
Sold for USD$403,000
  2010 Bonhams - Quail Lodge
 
1930 Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$170,000
  2010 Gooding and Company : The Amelia Island Auction
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Salamanca
Chassis#: S476MR
Sold for USD$275,000
  2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dover Limousine
Chassis#: S469MR
Sold for USD$68,425
  2005 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
 
1930 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Newmarket Convertible Sedan
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$170,000
  2004 Bonhams - MOTOR CARS
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 Rolls-Royce PI Newmarket Conv Sedan
Chassis#: S126PR
Sold for USD$140,250
  2004 Vintage Motor Cars and Boats at the Houston Classic
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I REGENCY
Sold for USD$28,050
  2001 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2001
 

Rolls-Royce Phantom Is That Failed To Sell At Auction

1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot TourerS401MR2023 Bonhams : Quail $240,000$340,000
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Imperial False Cabriolet79OR2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction   
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Dual Cowl TourerS402MR2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction   
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I NEWMARKETS126PR2015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale   
1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dover LimousineS153PR2005 Bonhams RollsRoyce, Bentley & Selected PreWar Motor Cars & Automobilia $55,000$75,000
1930 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I TOURING 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN$150,000  

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1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

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