1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Salamanca

After seven years of experiment and testing, the 40/50hp 6-cylinder 'New Phantom' chassis was introduced in 1925, and the fabled Silver Ghost, launched in 1906 was retired the following year. A total of 1,240 of the 3,340 New Phantom chassis were built in Springfield, Massachusetts during the years Rolls-Royce thought it prudent to have a factory in the United States. The venture began shortly after World War I and ended in 1931 when the effects of the Great Depression caused the company to conclude it was no longer a good idea. Even though the Phantom II was introduced in England in 1930, production of the original Phantom chassis continued in the United States through 1931.

The Salamanca nomenclature was used almost exclusively by Rolls-Royce referring to the cabriolet de ville body style. This indicated a folding roof over the rear passenger compartment of vehicle aft of the glass division between passenger and chauffeur making the vehicle completely open. The design as a rule also allows a folding roof to be rolled up over the chauffeur's compartment. This car features two fold-away jump seats in the passenger compartment as well as a sherry bar with cut glass tumblers and decanter. Most unusual is an exhaust 'cut-out' control for the 6.6-liter six-cylinder engine 'for touring abroad,' with a factory-imprinted warning, 'Not to be used in Great Britain.'