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Beginning in 1920, at the Rolls-Royce factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, nearly 3,000 Silver Ghosts and New Phantoms were built in the United States. As with the later Springfield Silver Ghosts, all the Springfield-built New Phantoms, introduced in 1925, needed to be left-hand drive, which necessitated a complete re-design of the engine bay; the engine was turned so the carburetor and exhaust manifold were to its right to accommodate the left-hand-drive steering rack. A new 3-speed transmission instead of the British 4-speed gearbox was also fitted, resulting in a more attractive car for American customers. Most Springfield chassis were fitted with coachwork identified as either Rolls-Royce Custom Coachwork, built by one of three subcontractors, or by its wholly owned subsidiary, Brewster & Company in Long Island.
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 also produced in the U.S. at Rolls-Royce's Springfield, Massachusetts factory. Of 3,340 Phantom I's produced, 1,241 were built stateside. P-I's continued to be built and sold in the United States even though the model had been replaced by the Phantom II in England.
Although this chassis was built in 1928, it remained unsold until 1931. It's one of only five Derby Speedsters ever built and retains its original body, chassis, and engine. After several owners and changes of paint, it lived in the Pettit Collection for about 60 years then was purchased by the current owner and returned to its original colors.
It is further highlighted by its drum headlights, tubular bumpers, and dramatically flared rear fenders.
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 also produced in the U.S. at Rolls-Royce's Springfield, Massachusetts factory. Of 3,340 Phantom I's produced, 1,241 were built stateside. P-I's continued to be built and sold in the United States even though the model had been replaced by the Phantom II in England.
Although this chassis was built in 1928, it remained unsold until 1931. It's one of only five Derby Speedsters ever built and retains its original body, chassis, and engine. After several owners and changes of paint, it lived in the Pettit Collection for about 60 years then was purchased by the current owner and returned to its original colors.
It is further highlighted by its drum headlights, tubular bumpers, and dramatically flared rear fenders.
Rolls-Royce of America offered 20 different body styles on the Phantom I. There were a select number of open styles including the Derby Speedster. Designed by John S. Inskip of Brewster & Co., they had polished aluminum belt molding, folding windscreen, and scalloped doors.
This example was one of the five original Derby Speedsters built by Brewster & Co., of which just four are known to exist. It was completed at the Springfield, Massachusetts Rolls-Royce works sometime between late 1928 and early 1929. It was fitted with engine number 21858 and then sent off to Brewster & Co. to be fitted with the Derby Speedster coachwork. It is believed the car remained unsold until 1932 when, according to records supplied by the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club, the car was sold to Robert D. Lay of Chicago, Illinois.
The Petit family discovered the Rolls-Royce between 1949 and 1950 in Lake Wales, Florida. It has remained in their care for 60 years. It was prominently displayed at the family's Museum of Motoring Memories.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $650,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $687,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.
This one-of-a-kind automobile is purported to be the car that Franklin D. Roosevelt rode in during the assassination attempt on his life in Miami, Florida on February 15th of 1933.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012
This example was one of the five original Derby Speedsters built by Brewster & Co., of which just four are known to exist. It was completed at the Springfield, Massachusetts Rolls-Royce works sometime between late 1928 and early 1929. It was fitted with engine number 21858 and then sent off to Brewster & Co. to be fitted with the Derby Speedster coachwork. It is believed the car remained unsold until 1932 when, according to records supplied by the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club, the car was sold to Robert D. Lay of Chicago, Illinois.
The Petit family discovered the Rolls-Royce between 1949 and 1950 in Lake Wales, Florida. It has remained in their care for 60 years. It was prominently displayed at the family's Museum of Motoring Memories.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $500,000 - $650,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $687,500 inclusive of the buyer's premium.
This one-of-a-kind automobile is purported to be the car that Franklin D. Roosevelt rode in during the assassination attempt on his life in Miami, Florida on February 15th of 1933.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012
2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $650,000
Sale Price :
USD $687,500
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Phantom I
(Data based on Model Year 1928 sales)
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I 'Boattail' Light Allweather Tourer by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: 114WR Sold for USD$72,800 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sedanca Chassis#: 20878s192rp Sold for USD$55,000 2024 Mecum : Indy | |
1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I SHOOTING BRAKE Chassis#: 84FH Sold for USD$60,682 2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tilbury Sedan Sold for USD$93,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton Chassis#: S304KP Sold for USD$967,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I 40/50 HP Chassis#: 94FH Sold for USD$194,755 2020 Artcurial : Andre Lurton Estate | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Etoile Town Car by Hibbard and Darrin Chassis#: S275FP Sold for USD$170,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Limousine Chassis#: GWL22 Sold for USD$27,714 2019 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sold for USD$82,500 2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformal Phaeton Chassis#: S267FP Sold for USD$329,500 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I St. Stephen Town Car Landaulette by Brewster Chassis#: S243FP Sold for USD$78,400 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() |
1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I DUAL COWL TOURER BY BARKER Chassis#: 83EH Sold for USD$159,555 2019 Coy's - London Classic | |
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Limousine Chassis#: GWL22 Sold for USD$33,226 2018 H & H Auctions - Duxford Motor Car Auction | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Étoile Town Car by Hibbard & Darrin Chassis#: S275FP Sold for USD$335,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer by Peter Thomas Chassis#: 70KR Sold for USD$81,400 2017 RM Sothebys : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Open Tourer Chassis#: 27AL Sold for USD$35,151 2016 Historics at Brookland | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan by Brewster Chassis#: S393KP Sold for USD$99,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sold for USD$176,000 2014 Motostalgia Auction - Seabrook K&W Auction 2014 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Special Roadster by Hibbard & Darrin Chassis#: S297FP Sold for USD$275,000 2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Chassis#: S103RP Sold for USD$203,500 2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale | ![]() ![]() |
Rolls-Royce Phantom Is That Failed To Sell At Auction
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sports Tourer in the style of Jarvis | 56WR | 2024 RM Sothebys : Cliveden House | $90,000 | $120,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Étoile Town Car by Hibbard & Darrin | S275FP | 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | $250,000 | $325,000 | |
1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I 40/50HP SKIFF | 114WR | 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | $300,000 | $400,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce PI Brewster T&C | 2012 Auctions America Auburn Fall | $140,000 | |||
1928 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan | S393KP | 2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla | $130,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Shooting Brake | 84FH | 2012 Bonhams Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars | $200,000 | $300,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Town Car by Hibbard & Darrin | S275FP | 2011 RM Auctions at Monterey | $235,000 | $250,000 | $300,000 |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Newmarket Convertible | S 393 KP | 2011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale | $200,000 | $250,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Sedanca De Ville | S113RP | 2009 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $60,000 | $70,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly Roadster | S391 FM | 2009 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia | $250,000 | $280,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sedan | 2009 Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale | $170,000 | |||
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Torpedo | 2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia | ||||
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Hall Lewis Sedanca DeVille Towne Car | 2007 RM Auctions Toronto International Fall Classic Car Auction | ||||
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Regent Convertible Coupe | 32 CL | 2006 Bonhams A Sale of RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia | $65,000 | $85,000 | |
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Landanlette | 71AL | 2005 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia | $150,000 | $180,000 |
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1954 Alfa Romeo 1900L Coupe by Ghia Chassis#:AR1900L 01089 Sold for $184,800 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
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1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
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