1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall Tourer

This Rolls-Royce Phantom I Pall Mall wears coachwork by the Merrimac Body Company. The car was delivered new on April 11th of 1928 to C.C. Walker of Manchester, Massachusetts. It originally wore a more formal enclosed body by Brewster 'Lonsdale.' It was acquired in the 1950s by Rolls-Royce restorer Ned Hermann. At the time, the Lonsdale body showed evidence of prior damage. At that time, the body was replaced by a more sporting open body, the five-passenger touring 'Pall Mall,' body number M1861, which was originally fitted to Phantom I chassis S161PM.

Mr. Hermann treated the car to a complete mechanical restoration. It was used infrequently until April 1979 when it was purchased by an Ohio collector, John McAnlis. During his ownership, Mr. McAnlis disassembled the Phantom I and completed a thorough cosmetic restoration. The car was finished in a silver and maroon paint scheme and matching vat-dyed crimson leather. The work was completed in 1987. The car was then shown at Hershey, earning a Senior AACA Award, then a First in Class prize at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

In the early 1990s, the car was accepted as a Full Classic by the CCCA. In the late 1990s, it was acquired by Bob Merrifield.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2014