7,668cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
100bhp at 3,000rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Rear Cantilever Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes (Factory Upgrade)

*Second oldest Springfield Phantom to survive
*Springfield Phantom with rare Factory updated coachwork
*Well-restored and beautifully presented
*Formerly in the Robert Hood Collection

THE PHANTOM 1

Introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 to replace the Silver Ghost, the New Phantom (retrospectively known as the Phantom I) boasted an entirely new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine displacing 7,668cc and, like the contemporary 20hp model, adopted a disc-type clutch and adjustable radiator shutters. Its chassis though, remained essentially the same as that of the later, four-wheel-braked Silver Ghost and would continue fundamentally unchanged until the arrival of the Phantom II in 1929 brought with it an entirely new frame.

Like its 'Ghost predecessor, the New Phantom was also produced by Rolls-Royce of America Incorporated, a subsidiary set up in December 1919 when the parent company purchased the American Wire Wheel Company's plant in Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield commenced manufacture of the New Phantom in 1926 and by the second half of 1929 production had risen to 12 cars per week. This would prove to be the high point of Rolls-Royce of America's fortunes, the October '29 Wall Street Crash and the introduction of the Phantom II - re-tooling for which the US company could not afford - signaling the beginning of its decline. The Phantom I was in production for only five years and the Derby-built models ran parallel with the Springfield cars but ended in 1929, whereas the Americans continued until 1931.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This beautifully presented Phantom 1 comes to sale for the first time since 2003, and has resided in two distinguished Rolls-Royce collections for the last 5 decades. By number, S407FL is actually only the seventh of the series of 'New Phantoms' to leave the Springfield, Massachusetts works and now the second oldest to survive. It was delivered on July 5th, 1927, and its original purchaser is understood to have been a Mr. Brown, who received the car with Lonsdale Sedan coachwork.

By the early 1930s, as the depression set in, Rolls-Royce of America were already starting to wind down operations, but they continued to resell cars and working closely with Brewster, as cars came in they would invariably upgrade them to the latest guise and specifications for their cars to enable the new owner to the current fashion of Rolls-Royce.

It is for this reason, that despite its early delivery, S407FL carries some of the later features offered by Rolls-Royce and Brewster. The car has the improvements of front wheel brakes, and torpedo headlights, while its Brewster Newmarket coachwork is of the more handsome final series with a raked windshield. It is in many ways the best of all worlds!

As recorded on Schoelkopf cards with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, from original owner Brown, the car moved on to J. Jacobs in March 1932, then to Mrs. J.L. Armstrong for whom its Newmarket coachwork was built in October 1933. Before the war, in January 1938, S407FL became the property of one of the most famous pioneering car collectors, Dr. S. 'Sam' Scher, who purchased it for $500 and then spent a further $500 on restoration – oh happy days! By 1956, Scher had sold the car to N.M. Derus of California.

In 1970 it passed to noted collector Robert Hood in California, it was while in his ownership that the car was restored in the 1990s by John Swasiland. The quality of this restoration is fully endorsed by the series of concours awards that the car has received over the course of the ensuing 20 plus years. Those have included: AACA National First Prize at Hershey 2004 and Senior Award in 2007; Best in Show at the Radnor Hunt Concours d'Elegance in 2005; Best Foreign Origin Award at the well renowned Burn Prevention Foundation Concours d'Elegance, at Bethlehem, PA; and an Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance award. Viewed today, the presentation of these prizes is entirely justified! Its condition, particularly in terms of engine detailing remains in hard to fault order.

These, well-proportioned fully convertible touring bodied Phantoms offer true 'all-weather' motoring with eligibility for a variety of events, from those of the US Rolls-Royce Owner's Club, UK Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club, Classic Car Club of America and Antique Automobile Club of America. Most importantly though, they command good road presence with the performance to keep up with modern road speeds and are supported by numerous specialized restorers and parts suppliers, ensuring their enduring usability.