1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Most automobile manufacturers offered several models to their clients, but Rolls-Royce stuck to a 'single model' policy. When The Great War came to an end, the recession prompted Rolls-Royce to offer a smaller and less expensive 20hp car, built alongside the existing 40/50 Silver Ghost. The Henry Royce design introduced a number of modern features such as a center-change gearbox, 'Hotchkiss drive' rear axle, and an overhead valve-gear for the six-cylinder engine.

The New Phantom (retrospectively known as the Phantom I) was introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 and served as a replacement to the Silver Ghost. It came powered by an entirely new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine with a displacement size of 7,668cc. In a similar fashion to the contemporary 20hp model, the New Phantom had adjustable radiator shutters and a disc-type clutch replacing the old single dry plate clutch. Several changes were suggested by Sir Henry to improve the inefficient radiator, but they were opposed by several engineers at Rolls-Royce. The grille lacked aerodynamics, yet it was instantly recognizable as a Rolls-Royce trademark.

The chassis, however, was the same as the Silver Ghost and would continue basically unchanged until the introduction of the Phantom II in 1929. Just like the Silver Ghost, the New Phantom was also produced by Rolls-Royce of America Incorporated, a subsidiary set up in December of 1919 when the parent company acquired the American Wire Wheel Company's plant in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Production of the New Phantom at Springfield began in 1926 and by the second half of 1929 production had increased to 12 cars per week. The October 1929 Wall Street Crash would reverse the fortunes of the Springfield plant, and they were unable to finance the re-tooling needed for the Phantom II. Production of the Springfield-built Phantom I models continued until 1931. The UK-built models ran parallel with the Springfield cars but ended in 1929.

The American-built Phantom I's could be ordered with 'factory' bodywork, unlike its British-built counterpart. Most of the factory Springfield bodies were built by Brewster, which had been taken over by Rolls-Royce in December of 1925.

The New Phantom was available in two different wheelbase lengths including a 143.5-inch or 150.5-inch platform.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2019