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1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Navigation
In 1921, Rolls-Royce chose Springfield, Massachusetts to begin building their US-built Rolls-Royce automobiles. It was chosen for its proximity to major northeastern markets and important suppliers as well as the supply of skilled craftsmen trained in the armories of the Connecticut River valley and the New England machine tool industry. The 40/50 horsepower Silver Ghosts were shipped from England and assembled in Springfield, under the watchful eye of around fifty experienced Rolls-Royce hands who emigrated from Derby.
Rolls-Royce offered standard coachwork with the bodies ordered from several independent coachbuilders and built-in quantities of up to twenty at a time. These were badged as 'Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work' and were built by Brewster, as well as Smith Springfield, New Haven, Merrimack, Willoughby, and Biddle and Smart. Soon, the business was very strong and Rolls-Royce established its own coachworks in Springfield. The Custom Coach Work bodies and later Rolls-Royce cataloged coachwork from Brewster - which it acquired in 1926 - were among the most elite bodies produced in the world.
In 1926, Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom I and the addition of several new bodies including the open Ascot, Derby, and Speedster. Further changes continued throughout the years, including the use of aluminum cylinder heads, chrome-plated exterior brightwork, flat bar bumpers, servo-assisted four-wheel brakes, thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters and conical headlamp housings in 1929. These changes were well-liked by the American public, resulting in sales reaching 350 automobiles for 1929.
This Ascot Sport Phaeton was delivered to Alphonzo E. Bell, a California entrepreneur, and developer. This car has a raked single-piece windscreen and graceful flowing fenders. Its appearance is very similar to the rear fender Speedster and the rare York Roadster.
After leaving Bell's care, the history of the car is not fully known. By 1946, it was owned by radio announcer Dave Garroway and would later be given a complete restoration. It was purchased by Detroit collector Richard Kughn where it would reside for many years. It was sold in the early 1990s to Canadian collector Grant Burton, who enjoyed it for many years, selling it to the present owner in 2000 via Ohio collector Richard Scott. The car was given a refresher by RM Auction Restorations in the mid-2000s which included the fitting of a new top, comprehensive detailing, tune-up, and repainting the fenders.
The car is painted in black and has tan leather upholstery and black cloth top. It rides on chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires. There are dual side mounts with black metal enclosures with chrome bands and mirrors. Above the flat chrome front ribbon bumpers are a pair of small Pilot-Ray driving lights. Other features to this car are matching wind wings, a black cloth-covered luggage trunk, and varnished wood molding caps.
In 2009, this Phantom I Ascot Sport Phaeton was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $350,000 - $450,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $330,000 including buyer's premium.
In 2010, it was brought to Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction where it was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $350,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $385,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010
Rolls-Royce offered standard coachwork with the bodies ordered from several independent coachbuilders and built-in quantities of up to twenty at a time. These were badged as 'Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work' and were built by Brewster, as well as Smith Springfield, New Haven, Merrimack, Willoughby, and Biddle and Smart. Soon, the business was very strong and Rolls-Royce established its own coachworks in Springfield. The Custom Coach Work bodies and later Rolls-Royce cataloged coachwork from Brewster - which it acquired in 1926 - were among the most elite bodies produced in the world.
In 1926, Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom I and the addition of several new bodies including the open Ascot, Derby, and Speedster. Further changes continued throughout the years, including the use of aluminum cylinder heads, chrome-plated exterior brightwork, flat bar bumpers, servo-assisted four-wheel brakes, thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters and conical headlamp housings in 1929. These changes were well-liked by the American public, resulting in sales reaching 350 automobiles for 1929.
This Ascot Sport Phaeton was delivered to Alphonzo E. Bell, a California entrepreneur, and developer. This car has a raked single-piece windscreen and graceful flowing fenders. Its appearance is very similar to the rear fender Speedster and the rare York Roadster.
After leaving Bell's care, the history of the car is not fully known. By 1946, it was owned by radio announcer Dave Garroway and would later be given a complete restoration. It was purchased by Detroit collector Richard Kughn where it would reside for many years. It was sold in the early 1990s to Canadian collector Grant Burton, who enjoyed it for many years, selling it to the present owner in 2000 via Ohio collector Richard Scott. The car was given a refresher by RM Auction Restorations in the mid-2000s which included the fitting of a new top, comprehensive detailing, tune-up, and repainting the fenders.
The car is painted in black and has tan leather upholstery and black cloth top. It rides on chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires. There are dual side mounts with black metal enclosures with chrome bands and mirrors. Above the flat chrome front ribbon bumpers are a pair of small Pilot-Ray driving lights. Other features to this car are matching wind wings, a black cloth-covered luggage trunk, and varnished wood molding caps.
In 2009, this Phantom I Ascot Sport Phaeton was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Arizona auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $350,000 - $450,000. The lot was sold for a high bid of $330,000 including buyer's premium.
In 2010, it was brought to Gooding & Company's Scottsdale Auction where it was estimated to sell for $300,000 - $350,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $385,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010
2013 RM Auctions - Monterey
Sale Price :
USD $385,000
2011 RM Auctions at Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000
Sale Price :
USD $363,000
2010 Gooding and Company - Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $300,000-USD $350,000
Sale Price :
USD $385,000
2009 Automobiles of Arizona
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $350,000-USD $450,000
Sale Price :
USD $330,000
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 40/50 HP Phantom I Roadster Chassis#: 118KR Sold for USD$52,158 2024 RM Sothebys : London | |
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Dual Cowl Phaeton Chassis#: S205KR Sold for USD$196,000 2024 Worldwide Auctioneers : Auburn Auction | |
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 | ![]() ![]() |
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 Phantom I York Roadster | S111FR | 2025 Worldwide Auctioneers : Enthusiast Auction | |||
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 |
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1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
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• Other Rolls-Royce Phantom I model years