LOT 418

1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Newmarket All-Weather Tourer Coachwork by Brewster Registration no. SV 9167 Chassis no. S339LR

Sold for £103,500 inc. premium

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Lot 418

1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Newmarket All-Weather Tourer

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|17 September 2022, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1929 Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I Newmarket All-Weather Tourer
Coachwork by Brewster
Registration no. SV 9167
Chassis no. S339LR

• One of only circa 60 'Newmarket' bodied tourers
• In excess of £70,000 spent over last 7 years
• American built
• Formerly HR Owen London Display Piece

Footnotes

Rolls-Royce's 'single model' policy had proved an outstanding success for the company, but immediately after the end of The Great War the recession in the motor trade prompted the introduction of a smaller, cheaper 20hp car to be built alongside the existing 40/50hp Silver Ghost. Henry Royce's new design incorporated a number of modern features such as overhead valve-gear for its six-cylinder engine, a centre-change gearbox and 'Hotchkiss drive' rear axle, and the advanced newcomer's arrival only served to emphasise the Silver Ghost's Edwardian origins. However, the 45/50hp model would soon benefit from developments pioneered on its smaller sibling.
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 - signalling 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.

Unlike its British-built counterpart, the American product could be ordered with 'factory' bodywork, usually by Brewster, the latter company having been taken over by Rolls-Royce in December 1925. As well as manufacturing coachwork of the highest quality, Brewster had built its own automobiles from 1915 up to the time of its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, re-emerging as an auto-maker in its own right, using Ford chassis, when US Phantom production finally ceased in 1934 and the company became part of the reconstituted Springfield Manufacturing Corporation.

This example of the American-built left-hand drive Rolls-Royce Phantom I is fitted with the most handsome and practical Newmarket all-weather tourer coachwork by Brewster, an $18,800 option at the time. S339LR was delivered new to John F.Dillon in Beverly Hills, via W.C Darling on Boxing Day 1929. According to build records, circa only 60 Phantom 1's were delivered with 'Newmarket' Coachwork. In the early 1950's, the car moved to Texas and was still in Houston by the late 1970's. During 1991, S339LR joined the collection of renowned Swiss enthusiast, Hans Luscher. After restoration by the Real Car Company in 2002, the car passed into the hands of a British collector. During their ownership, the car was used sparingly but subjected to meticulous maintenance including significant work to the engine. The car once again changed hands in 2010 and between 2010 and 2014 was repainted in the resplendent Royal Blue that it presents in today. In 2014, S339LR was acquired by HR Owen where it was used as their main display piece in their central London. S339LR found its way to its most recent and final home in 2015. During the last seven years, over £70,000 has been spent on maintaining and caring for the car (all invoices on file) and this is testament to the condition in which is presents today. A fantastic opportunity with an extensive history file, S339LR presents in lovely condition and would be a tremendous addition to any pre-war collection.

Additional information

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Buyers Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge what is known as a Buyer's Premium. Buyer's Premium on all Automobilia lots will adhere to Bonhams group policy:
27.5% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price;
26% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £20,000 up to and including £700,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £700,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
For Motor Cars and Motorcycles a 15% Buyer's Premium is payable on the first £500,000 of the final Hammer Price of each Lot, and 12% on any amount by which the Hammer Price exceeds £500,000. VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Some lots may be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price. These lots will be clearly marked with the relevant symbol printed beside the lot number in the catalogue.
Collection Notices
As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Goodwood will be closed on Monday 19 September, a Bank Holiday, for the State Funeral.
Collection of Motor Cars will be postponed to Tuesday 20 September from 0900 until 1200, after which any uncollected Lots will be removed to store at Buyer / Vendor expense, as the case may be.
Automobilia Lots will be removed on the evening of Sunday 18 September.
It will not be possible to collect Motor Car Lots until Tuesday 20 September.
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Please Note the Automobilia department do not ship out purchased lots, please contact them to be advised of recommended shippers.
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EXEMPT FROM VAT
Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.
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AR
ARTISTS RESALE RIGHT
Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.
N
NOVA DECLARATION
MOTORCYCLES If purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (SHIPPIO) to undertake the NOVA and C88 (customs) application if applicable on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £125 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.CARSIf purchased by a UK resident, this machine is subject to a NOVA declaration, whilst the responsibility of submitting the NOVA rests with the Buyer to do so, Bonhams will facilitate the process by engaging an agent (CARS) to undertake the NOVA on the Buyer's behalf. A fee of £250 + VAT to do so will be added to the Buyer's invoice.
Ω
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AUTOMOBILIA
All lots will be charged £10 + VAT Uplift and storage at £1 + VAT per day per lot.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£25 + VAT uplift and storage at £5 + VAT per lot per day.
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UPLIFT AND STORAGE CHARGES
£50 + VAT uplift and storage at £10 + VAT per lot per day
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SPECIALIST SHIPPING AND STORAGE
All lots marked with 3 diamonds will require specific shipping and storage arrangements, as they are either extremely heavy or large items, they will be removed by Autofreight Ltd, who provide independent uplift and storage services for larger lots. There are charges for this service and for storage in their warehouse in Guildford, Surrey, at the buyers expense.
Please contact John Wood, Autofreight Ltd, by phone 01483 222256, or email [email protected] for further information, details of costs and charges or to arrange collection from GU3 3HD.
Shippers or Agents wishing to collect on behalf of the purchaser must provide written instruction from the client before Bonhams will release the lot(s). All purchases are at Buyers risk from the fall of the hammer.
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