1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Regent Convertible Coupe

Rolls-Royce introduced the New Phantom (retrospectively known as the Phantom I) in 1925 as a replacement for the Silver Ghost. It had an entirely new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 7,668cc, and a disc-type clutch and adjustable radiator shutters. The chassis, however, remained essentially unchanged.

The New Phantom, like the Ghost, was also produced by Rolls-Royce of American Incorporated, a subsidiary set up in December 1919 when the parent company purchased the American Wire Wheel Company's plant in Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield began manufacture of the New Phantom in 1926 and by the second half of 1929 production had risen to 12 cars per week.

With the 1929 Wall Street Crash and the introduction of the Phantom II, Rolls-Royce was unable to cover the cost of re-tooling the US Company, signaling the beginning of its decline.

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. The Americans continued until 1931.

This Rolls-Royce Phantom was delivered new to Harley Douglas Hutchins in New York, NY in April of 1927. Originally it wore St Stephens seven-passenger town car coachwork and had a delivery price of $19,365.

S82PM was later updated by the works with a new Regent convertible coupe by Brewster. The fenders, splash aprons, and exterior lighting were also modernized. It has European styled 'bullet' headlamps, and matched side lamps mounted on the front fenders. The front fenders are stretched forwards like blades as on the Derby Speedsters and the front dumb irons and springs and chassis were now discreetly hidden behind valances. There are also front and aft twin flat bars serving as bumpers.

This Rolls-Royce was recently part of a private North East collection.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017