Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Brewster Sportster 1929

History and background

The Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Brewster Sportster belongs to the generation of Rolls-Royce models that grew out of the reputation of the 40/50 HP Silver Ghost. That car had gained such prestige at the beginning of the last century that the predicate "the best car in the world" was attached to it, a qualification that permanently influenced the Rolls-Royce name. In 1925, the Silver Ghost was succeeded by the 40/50 HP New Phantom, later known as Phantom I. The model marked the further development of Rolls-Royce as a manufacturer of large, luxurious and technically sophisticated automobiles.

For the American market, the Rolls-Royce Phantom I was also assembled in Springfield, Massachusetts. This included chassis, engine, bulkhead and related components, while the bodies were manufactured by specialized coachbuilders at the time. Brewster was one of the leading American coachbuilders and was absorbed by the Rolls-Royce plant in 1925, after which the company developed its own line of Phantom chassis. The Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Brewster Sportster shows well how chassis construction and coachbuilding still functioned closely but separately in this period.

This example was delivered new in 1929 to A.Y. Goyen of Concord, Massachusetts. Later the car came into the hands of businessman and diplomat George Howard Earle III, who was governor of Pennsylvania from 1934 to 1938 and also President Roosevelt's special envoy to the Balkans. A restoration to original standards followed in 1968, after which the Rolls-Royce Phantom I was sold to Germany in 1989. The car is currently registered in Belgium.

Characteristics and features


Brewster made this Rolls-Royce Phantom I a Sportster body with a spacious layout and a relatively low roofline. As a result, the car combines the spacious impression of a limousine with more stretched, sporty lines. The gray velour interior, the red-with-black color scheme, the black wire wheels with white-wall tires, the Everflex roof, the extra trunk at the rear and the large detached headlights define the character of this body.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom I is equipped with a 7668 cc six-cylinder inline engine. In the configuration described, that engine gives the heavy car a lively character. The engine has been replaced in the past. Several years ago, moreover, serious maintenance was performed by LMB Racing of Belgium. The car is in very original condition, has been carefully maintained and kept roadworthy after the 1968 restoration, and has acquired a visible patina.

Summary


The Rolls-Royce Phantom I Springfield Brewster Sportster combines an American Brewster body with the technical basis of the Phantom I series and a documented history from new delivery in 1929. It features a restored and subsequently meticulously maintained background, a distinctive Sportster body and a striking presentation. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend coming to the viewing day.