1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sedanca De Ville

Perhaps the best-known luxury carmaker of all time, Rolls-Royce, began making cars in 1906 and they continue in production today. Henry Rolls, an electrician and mechanical engineer who had built a car independently in 1904, an Charles Stewart Rolls, who would sell the cars, founded the original company. The first car, the Silver Ghost, established the company's reputation for making exceptional cars. Rolls-Royce today is part of German automaker BMW. The new Phantom replaced the original Silver Ghost in 1925 and featured a new engine - a straight 6 or 7.7-liter displacement with pushrod-operated overhead valves.

Built in Derby, England and Springfield, Massachusetts, it was called Phantom I only after being replaced by the Phantom II in 1929. The Phantom I remained in production in the U.S. until 1931. Rolls-Royce built the chassis and mechanical parts, and then bodies were produced and fitted by a variety of coachbuilders including Mulliner, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maverly, Hooper and Bewster & Company. The latter was owned by Rolls-Royce. 'Sedanca de Ville' denotes a four-door touring car with open front compartment, usually driven by a chauffeur. The Rolls-Royce 'Spirit of Ecstasy' is the most famous of all hood ornaments and certainly the longest in production.

This car was used as the basis for the Franklin Mint model in 1988.