1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer

Rolls-Royce first began building automobiles for the American market in 1921 in Springfield, Massachusetts. After the acquisition of the Brewster Body Company in 1926 Rolls-Royce offered a selection of standard Brewster-built coachwork on its New Phantom (later called the Phantom I), which had been introduced that same year as the replacement for the Silver Ghost and offered a larger 7.7-liter engine.

1,241 examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom I were built at the Springfield, Massachusetts, works. Many were bodied by Brewster and given distinct names such as the Ascot, a 4-passenger sport phaeton. This particular Brewster Ascot is one of 28 examples built. It was delivered to its first owner, R.E. Field of Milford, Ohio, on December 26th of 1929. It was the fourth-from-the-last Phantom and incorporated many of the changes developed through the production lifespan, including the 20-inch wheels, an aluminum cylinder head, and thermostatically controlled grille shutters. Visual differences from its earlier siblings include the conical headlamps with matching side lamps mounted on the front fenders, and twin flat bumper bars, rather than the previous tubular bumper.

This car's next two owners, T.A. Norton and Stephen E. Ryan Jr., were both in New York. In 1952, it was acquired by James H. Fowler of Fremont, Nebraska. In 1956, James R. Matthews of Newark, New Jersey purchased the car and had it brought to the East Coast. In 1970, John C. Coval of Wyckoff, New Jersey, acquired the car and initiated its first restoration. Upon completion, it received First Place in the Phantom I class at the 1974 Rolls-Royce Owners' Club annual meeting in Indianapolis. By 1980, Mr. Coval had become a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona and the car made the move with him. In August it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

After two decades of ownership, Mr. Coval sold the car to the Hans Lüscher Collection in Switzerland. The current caretaker acquired the car in 2013 and immediately commissioned a thorough restoration. The car was returned to its original paint colors of a green gray tone known as Submarine Gray. The leather upholstery was finished in a matching tone, as originally configured.

The car has a tan canvas top, polished aluminum beltline moldings, stainless-steel wire wheels, and blackwall tires.

The restoration took 2 1/2-years to complete and cost in excess of $400,000. Upon completion, it was shown at the 2017 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and took part in the 70-mile Tour d'Elegance. At the concours it earned a Second in Class award as well as the Lucius Beebe Trophy.

In all, some 350 Phantoms were built at the Springfield factory in 1929. This car's current owner purchased it in 2013 and has restored it to its original configuration, complete with Buffalo Wire Wheels.