1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Tourer

Rolls-Royce's new vehicle, known as the New Phantom, but later referred to as the Phantom I, was a new model that featured a new inline six-cylinder engine based on an aluminum crankcase with the cylinders cast in three pairs. A one-piece, detachable cylinder head featured a thoroughly modern, pushrod-actuated overhead-valve arrangement. Production began in 1925 in Derby, England and at Rolls-Royce's Springfield, Massachusetts production facility in 1926, where the Phantom I was built with left-hand drive for the North American market. Two wheelbase lengths, 143.5 and 146.5 inches, were offered for the Springfield cars. Prior to the October 1929 stock-market crash, Springfield production was as high as 12 Phantom I chassis per week. Phantom I construction continued through 1932 at Springfield, while the model had already been supplanted by the Phantom II at Derby in 1929. In all, about 1,240 Phantom Is were built at Springfield.

This seven-passenger tourer was supplied new to original owner J.B. Arthur, of New York City, on April 10th of 1933. Arthur kept the car for two decades before trading it in. It was then owned by Vrest Orton, of Vermont, and by a Mr. Donatoni. It was later acquired by a prominent longtime member of the Classic Car Club of America, in whose care it spent 38 years.

The car has been recently refinished in 'Sea Blue.' Inside is a red leather upholstery, a beige cloth top, and rides on pale blue wire wheels shielded by full-wheel covers.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale in Scottsdale, Arizona by RM Auctions. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $286,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2013