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1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster

  • Coachwork by Brewster
  • Chassis Number: S185FR
  • Engine Number: 21858
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
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.

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 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 Phantom I image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
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 image  
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 image  
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 image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
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 image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
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 image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
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 image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall
Chassis#: S103RP
Sold for USD$203,500
  2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I image  
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Shooting Brake
Chassis#: 84FH
Sold for USD$179,671
  2014 LES GRANDES MARQUES DU MONDE AU GRAND PALAIS
 
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Tourer (Project)
Sold for USD$55,146
  2013 Shannons Sydney Custom & Collectable Auction at MotorEx
 

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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Étoile Town Car by Hibbard & DarrinS275FP2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona $250,000$325,000
1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I 40/50HP SKIFF114WR2015 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 SedanS393KP2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla$130,000$150,000$200,000
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Shooting Brake84FH2012 Bonhams Paris, La Halle Freyssinet Motocars $200,000$300,000
1928 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Town Car by Hibbard & DarrinS275FP2011 RM Auctions at Monterey$235,000$250,000$300,000
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Newmarket ConvertibleS 393 KP2011 Bonhams Quail Lodge Sale $200,000$250,000
1928 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom I Sedanca De VilleS113RP2009 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia $60,000$70,000
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Piccadilly RoadsterS391 FM2009 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 Coupe32 CL2006 Bonhams A Sale of RollsRoyce, Bentley and Select PreWar Motor Cars and Automobilia $65,000$85,000
1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Landanlette71AL2005 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia $150,000$180,000

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1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

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