1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan

This Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 is painted in black paintwork and accented with red striping. There is a polished aluminum hood and covered wheels. It wears a Newmarket Convertible All-weather coachwork courtesy of Brewster & Co. It has a history known from new beginning with its original owner, John B. Ellsworth of Simsbury, Connecticut on May 11th of 1929. A decade later, in November of 1939, it was purchased by Dorothy and Fred Hudson of the Hotel Webster, West 45th St. New York City. In March of 1949, it entered the care of Henry L. Benedetto of Elmont, Long Island. November 21, 1950, it passed to Daniel Dinsmore of Orange, New Jersey. March 22, 1951, there was then a change of ownership to Mortimer Ryon of Ithaca, New York. In 1952 the Newmarket was purchased by its next long-term owner, Hayward C. Carleton of Norwell, Mass. who would keep the car until 1980. Between 1980 and 2011, the car would have three more custodians, one for the bulk of it, 25 years.

The car has been treated to re-commissioning after a long period of storage, including full flushing and cleaning of the fuel, grease and oiling systems, rebuilding the carburetor, and sorting the electrics. Many of the mechanical components were overhauled and adjusted where necessary.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge presented by Bonhams auction. It was estimated to sell for $200,000 - $250,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and it would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011