1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster

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 P-I's continued to be built and sold in the United States even though the model had been replaced by the Phantom II in England.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.

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