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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dual-Windshield Torpedo Phaeton

Even the greatest of cars eventually become obsolete, and this was the fate of the Silver Ghost by the early 1920s. A replacement was needed, one that could do justice to the legacy it was replacing and compete with the ambiance, power, and elegance of the rolling-sculptures of the day, such as the Hispano-Suiza's H6 series cars.

Henry Royce oversaw the design and engineering of the New Phantom which was debuted in May of 1925. It had many significant changes such as an overhead-valve engine in place of the Ghost's side-valve unit, servo-assisted 4-wheel brakes and a single dry plate clutch in place of the Ghost's cone arrangement.

A few of the Ghost's features were still relevant such as the cantilever rear springs, worm-and-num steering, and the Autovac fuel delivery system.

Over the production lifespan of the Phantom I models, a total of 3,450 examples would be constructed while its engine simultaneously evolved with few fundamental changes into the Phantom II in 1929.

This 1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dual-Windshield Torpedo Phaeton with coachwork by Vanden Plas of Brussels is a one-off. The first owner, Mr. Van Zeller of Lisbon, Portugal, took ownership in June of 1926. No expense or effort was spared in making this one of the finest and luxurious touring car of its day. The door panels in the rear are crafted from matched walnut that house shelves equipped with perfume flasks, leather glove boxes, accessory cases, and cologne bottles. There is a sterling silver grooming kit that includes brushes, scissors, hand mirror pomade jars, and comb, built into the cabinetry. There is a set of curved doors built into the body's central division which houses a full cocktail service including crystal decanters and glasses.

The leather upholstery in the rear seats two comfortably. There are dual windshields for front and rear passengers with removable windwings to insulate the occupants from the elements, drafts, and breezes. If poor weather arises, a protective cover can be positioned into place over the passenger's legs to provide further protection.

Folding occasional seats provide additional seating for two and conceals neatly into the woodwork of the division when not in use. A secondary cowl behind the chauffeur's compartment can be used to store umbrellas, canes or folding chairs.

There is plenty of luggage space in the exterior trunks. Custom-crafted leather wardrobe cases are fitted to match the curvature of the right-front and left-rear doors. The trunks are well designed and very functional, able to carry hanging garments, plus provides additional drawers for small items such as slippers, hosiery, and ties. Additional storage space is available in the rear-mounted trunk, positioned above the rear bumper.

There are French Lucifer side lamps, Stephen Greber headlamps, and a Grebel spotlight mounted on the right side of the cowl. On the left of the cowl, there is a drum-shaped illuminated turn signal.

The very elegant Vanden Plas coachwork rides on a long-wheelbase Phantom I chassis. It is chassis number 98LC and was brought to the 2007 Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA where it was estimated to sell for $1,250,000 - $1,800,000. Those estimates proved nearly accurate, as the lot was sold for $1,072,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008

2007 Gooding & Company

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,250,000-USD $1,800,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,072,500

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Phantom I

(Data based on Model Year 1926 sales)
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Enclosed Cabriolet
Chassis#: 30TC
Sold for USD$128,800
  2023 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Cabriolet by Barker
Chassis#: 30TC
Sold for USD$137,500
  2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Open-Drive Limousine Sedan by Holbrook
Chassis#: 12DC
Sold for USD$52,250
  2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Drophead Coupe by Mann Egerton & Co. Ltd.
Sold for USD$85,800
  2019 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Newmarket Convertible
Chassis#: S407FL
Sold for USD$156,800
  2019 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
Chassis#: 76TC
Sold for USD$713,947
  2016 Bonhams : Bond Street Auction
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sedanca by Knibbs & Parkyn
Chassis#: 18NC
Sold for USD$79,000
  2014 Silverstone : Salon Prive
 
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I LANDAULET DE VILLE
Chassis#: 51 DC
Sold for USD$86,581
  2014 COLLECTOR'S MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer
Chassis#: 74 SC
Sold for USD$149,526
  2013 H & H - Rockingham Castle
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Experimental Sports Tourer by Barker & Co
Chassis#: 10EX
Sold for USD$633,715
  2011 RM Auctions - Salon Privé
 
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Skiff
Chassis#: 39YC
Sold for USD$84,149
  2011 Bonhams - Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Select Pre-War Motor Cars and Automobilia
 
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Phantom I Limousine
Chassis#: 53TC
Sold for USD$67,022
  2010 RM Auctions - Sporting Classics of Monaco
 
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Tourer
Chassis#: 1TC
Sold for USD$22,245
  2009 Rolls-Royce, Bentley Motor Cars and Automobilia
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer by Merrimack
Chassis#: 73DC
Sold for USD$148,270
  2008 Coys Auction - True Greats
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer
Chassis#: 73DC
Sold for USD$166,580
  2008 Coys Auction - Fine Motor Cars, Blenheim Palace
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
Sold for USD$1,072,500
  2007 Gooding & Company
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Chassis
Chassis#: 29NC
Sold for USD$5,265
  2006 Bonhams - The Frank Cooke Collection
 
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I 40/50hp Fully Convertible Enclosed Drive Cabriolet
Chassis#: 57 YC
Sold for USD$184,447
  2004 Bonhams - Important Collectors Motor Cars
 

Rolls-Royce Phantom Is That Failed To Sell At Auction

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1926 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I SEDANCA DE VILLE104TC2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed $65,000$80,000
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Town Car31MC2015 The Auburn Auction   
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer by Smith & Waddington9YC2011 RM Auctions Salon Privé$75,000$100,000$140,000
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 hp Phantom I Open Tourer6YC2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco$170,000$250,000$300,000

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1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Rolls-Royce Phantom I model years

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Vehicle Profiles

1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I vehicle information
Open-Drive Limousine Sedan
Coachwork: Holbrook
Chassis #: 12DC
Engine #: AD15
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I vehicle information
Shooting Brake
Coachwork: Brewster
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I vehicle information
Salamanca
Coachwork: Barker
Chassis #: 30TC
Engine #: UT65
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I vehicle information
Dual-Windshield Torpedo Phaeton
Coachwork: Vanden Plas
Chassis #: 98LC
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I vehicle information
Newmarket Convertible Sedan
Coachwork: Brewster
Chassis #: S407FL
Engine #: 20076