1930 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Salamanca

Coachwork by Hibberd & Darrin

7,668cc OHV inline six-cylinder engine
Single carburetor
100bhp at 3,000rpm
Three-speed manual transmission
Front semi-elliptical leaf springs and rear cantilever spring suspension
Four-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes

*Restored by Pebble Beach award winner Stu Laidlaw
*Delivered new to Chicagoland
*Stunning custom coachwork
*A rare and special machine


THE PHANTOM I

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 fetching Salamanca is one of the rare Hibbard & Darrin bodied Springfield Phantoms. The coachbuilder for discerning taste makers such as Jack Warner and Marlene Deitrich, this Rolls was ordered new by Louis A. Mitchell of Evanston, Illinois and delivered on May 14, 1931. Remaining in Chicagoland, the Rolls would later travel only a few miles west to join the garage of inventor Walter Goodman of Skokie according to the Schoellkopf card on file. The interim history from there is murkier, but by the late 1990s the Rolls was in Southern California with an esteemed collector and restored around 2000 by Pebble Beach award-winning restorer Stu Laidlaw.

The Salamanca was sparingly used for the next nearly decade before the engine was rebuilt in 2009 by Rolls-Royce specialist Roger Ford. During this service, new valves, exhaust, radiator, and aluminum head were fitted while the drivetrain, clutch, and brakes were checked and lubricated and the generator rebuilt. Acquired by the present owner in January of 2010, the Rolls has been on static display since purchase. A stunning machine with its polished aluminum bodywork offset by is blue paintwork and matching blue top, mechanical recommission is recommended prior to active touring. Once back on the road, it will make an excellent vehicle for shows and events.