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Many of the Rolls-Royce cars produced at the Springfield, Massachusetts factory were bodied by Brewster & Company. Rolls-Royce had purchased the New York coachbuilder in 1925. Brewster's catalog consisted of 28 body styles for the Phantom I chassis, a vast and dizzying array of vehicles certain to suit any buyer's need. One of the more upscale styles was the Lonsdale, a 7-passenger limousine with a sliding division window between the chauffeur and passenger compartments.
This vehicle is a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Lonsdale Limousine with coachwork by Brewster. The original owner of this car was Edward Bausch. Mr. Bausch was the son of German-American optician John J. Bausch, who began producing eyeglasses in Rochester NY in 1853. By 1855, the elder Bausch's friend Henry Lomb had become his business partner as well. Bausch & Lomb's first significant success came with a line of eyeglass frames made from a hard rubber-like material called 'Vulcanite.'
When Edward Bausch passed away in 1944, an American Army Captain named Melvin Hooper acquired the Rolls-Royce. His busy travel schedule coupled with wartime gas rationing meant he did not keep it for very long.
The Captain sold 1,900 chances at $1.00 each for a chance to own the Rolls-Royce. The winner was a young sailor stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. The car was delivered to him there, and it would remain at Norfolk until his discharge in 1946. The veteran then drove it cross-country to California, where his wife and baby awaited. Maintaining an aging Rolls-Royce was a challenge for the young family and the car soon changed hands again.
The fourth owner attempted a restoration, but failing health meant the project was put on hold. In 1975, it was purchased by its present (and sixth) owner. Since that time, the car has been treated to a professional restoration bringing it back to its former glory. It retains its original leather-covered trunk on the rear platform. The original clock is present in the division partition and the owner's manual and tool kit are still intact. The odometer reads just 57,000 miles since new.
In 2008, Lonsdale Limousine was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The lot was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000 but would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
This vehicle is a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Lonsdale Limousine with coachwork by Brewster. The original owner of this car was Edward Bausch. Mr. Bausch was the son of German-American optician John J. Bausch, who began producing eyeglasses in Rochester NY in 1853. By 1855, the elder Bausch's friend Henry Lomb had become his business partner as well. Bausch & Lomb's first significant success came with a line of eyeglass frames made from a hard rubber-like material called 'Vulcanite.'
When Edward Bausch passed away in 1944, an American Army Captain named Melvin Hooper acquired the Rolls-Royce. His busy travel schedule coupled with wartime gas rationing meant he did not keep it for very long.
The Captain sold 1,900 chances at $1.00 each for a chance to own the Rolls-Royce. The winner was a young sailor stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. The car was delivered to him there, and it would remain at Norfolk until his discharge in 1946. The veteran then drove it cross-country to California, where his wife and baby awaited. Maintaining an aging Rolls-Royce was a challenge for the young family and the car soon changed hands again.
The fourth owner attempted a restoration, but failing health meant the project was put on hold. In 1975, it was purchased by its present (and sixth) owner. Since that time, the car has been treated to a professional restoration bringing it back to its former glory. It retains its original leather-covered trunk on the rear platform. The original clock is present in the division partition and the owner's manual and tool kit are still intact. The odometer reads just 57,000 miles since new.
In 2008, Lonsdale Limousine was offered for sale at the 'Quail Lodge, A Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' presented by Bonhams Auction. The lot was estimated to sell for $100,000 - $140,000 but would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $100,000-USD $140,000
Lot was not sold
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Phantom I
(Data based on Model Year 1929 sales)
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Barker & Co. Tourer Chassis#: 61OR Sold for USD$106,400 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer by Brewster Chassis#: S346KP Sold for USD$246,400 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1933 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I RIVIERA TOWN CAR Chassis#: S268KR Sold for USD$201,600 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster by Brewster Chassis#: S158FR Sold for USD$885,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Newmarket All-Weather Tourer Chassis#: S339LR Sold for USD$90,622 2022 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring Sedan Chassis#: S320LR Sold for USD$26,880 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Transformable Phaeton by Hibbard and Darrin Chassis#: S302LR Sold for USD$170,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer Chassis#: S368LR Sold for USD$302,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Convertible Sedan Sold for USD$154,000 2020 Mecum : Las Vegas | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Huntington Sedanca de Ville Chassis#: S324LR Sold for USD$63,955 2019 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Tourer Chassis#: S253KR Sold for USD$191,865 2019 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer by Brewster Chassis#: S398KP Sold for USD$280,000 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer Chassis#: S203KR Sold for USD$660,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Tourer by Barker Chassis#: 82OR Sold for USD$247,172 2018 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer by Brewster Chassis#: S178FR Sold for USD$274,400 2018 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale, Az. | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Riviera Town Car by Brewster Chassis#: S390LR Sold for USD$825,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Stratford Coupé Coachwork by Brewster Chassis#: S285FP Sold for USD$130,433 2017 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Henley Roadster by Brewster Chassis#: S303LR Sold for USD$682,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | ![]() ![]() |
1929 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I ASCOT SPORT PHAETON Chassis#: S368LR Sold for USD$275,000 2017 Bonhams : Scottsdale, AZ | ![]() ![]() |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Berwick Sedan Coachwork by Brewster Chassis#: S199FR Sold for USD$19,800 2016 Bonhams : Preserving the Automobile |
Rolls-Royce Phantom Is That Failed To Sell At Auction
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1929 ROLLS-ROYCE 40/50HP PHANTOM I LIMOUSINE | 42KR | 2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Festival of Speed | $65,000 | $75,000 | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Sports Phaeton | 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | $220,000 | $280,000 | ||
1929 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I ASCOT TOURER | S178FR | 2015 BarrettJackson Scottsdale | |||
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer by Merrimac | S368LR | 2014 Motor City Auction by RM Auctions | $400,000 | $500,000 | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer | S203KR | 2013 Coys Athena, Greece | |||
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer | S178FR | 2013 Gooding and Company The Scottsdale Auction | $350,000 | $450,000 | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Phaeton | S346 KP | 2011 Coys Auction Blenheim Palace | $150,000 | $170,000 | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I | 2008 Bonhams & Butterfields Sale of Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia | $100,000 | $140,000 | ||
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Regent Convertible Coupe | 2008 Leake Auctions Tulsa 36th Annual QuikTrip Center | $300,000 | |||
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I | 2007 Gooding & Company | $225,000 | $275,000 | ||
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan | S216KR | 2005 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia | $130,000 | $150,000 | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newmarket Convertible Sedan | 2004 Bonhams MOTOR CARS | $140,000 | $160,000 | ||
1929 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I PHAETON | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $20,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $305,082 range.
1971 FORD BRONCO CUSTOM SUV Chassis#:U15GLK10380 Sold for $308,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1966 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE Chassis#:194676S123944 Sold for $302,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1961 Chevrolet Impala Convertible Chassis#:11867l200172 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1967 Lamborghini 400 GT Spyder conversion par Jerry Fandytis Chassis#:01267 Sold for $302,121 2024 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1933 PACKARD 1001 STANDARD EIGHT COUPE ROADSTER Chassis#:60928 Sold for $302,500 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | ![]() ![]() |
1963 CHEVROLET CORVETTE CUSTOM SPLIT-WINDOW COUPE Chassis#:30837S110305 Sold for $308,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split Window Coupe Chassis#:30837s114827 Sold for $308,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1965 Buick Riviera GS Chassis#:494475h909883 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
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1996 Lamborghini Diablo Chassis#:za9du07pxtla12421 Sold for $302,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1926 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Piccadilly Roadster in the style of Merrimac Chassis#:S272PL Sold for $308,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey | ![]() ![]() |
1936 Pierce-Arrow Model 1245 Convertible Coupe and Curtiss Aerocar Trailer Chassis#:3120036 Sold for $307,500 2023 Bonhams : Quail | ![]() ![]() |
1961 Balchowsky Ol' Yaller Mk VII Chassis#:Mk VII Sold for $307,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | ![]() ![]() |
2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Cabriolet Chassis#:WP0CD2A99KS144759 Sold for $307,500 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
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1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ99ZTS390628 Sold for $303,033 2023 RM Sothebys : The Carrera Collection | |
1966 Shelby GT350 Fastback Sold for $308,000 2023 Mecum : Indy | |
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle Convertible Chassis#:136679b400523 Sold for $302,500 2023 Mecum : Indy |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
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