Summary

This Rolls-Royce Springfield Phantom I is a recently restored Ascot Tourer featuring its original Brewster coachwork, engine and drivetrain. Notable American ownership history. Titled as 1928.

Details

The Rolls-Royce New Phantom, later styled Phantom I after the introduction of the Phantom II, was the successor to the marque's highly successful Silver Ghost. Featuring a larger 7.7 Liter cylinder engine and pushrod overhead valves, the Phantom I was equally well-received. According to factory Build Sheets, Chassis S178 FR was sold new to Mr. R. Griffen of Jersey City, NJ, in August 1929. It featured a very sporting and desirable Ascot Tourer body from Brewster and Company, of which only 28 were made and it still wears to this day. Griffin traded in S1748 FR for a Phantom II and the second owner was Bernard Heaton, who kept the car until 1946. Over the next decades, this car was in the hands of very prominent Rolls-Royce collectors, Henry Wing, who restored the car between 1953-1956; William O'Connor, a prominent Veteran MCAA member who wrote articles on the car for the club magazine; and Paul Stern, who ran the Manheim Auto Auction and featured the car in the well-known book 'Rolls-Royce in America.' After two subsequent owners, the Ascot Tourer was held in dry storage for a quarter-century. When removed for a full restoration in 2010, its remarkably preserved and original condition was testament to the knowledgeable series of owners. The restoration was handled by the specialist shops in the UK, A.J. Glew of Gloucestershire and Haslams Body of Bolton. Over $50,000 was spent on its recommissioning. Today, S178 FR presents itself excellently. Presented in a dark red exterior with a beige top and interior, its condition is top-notch and has been used very lightly since its restoration. Particularly notable is the originality of the car, including the engine, drivetrain, and Brewster coachwork. The value of the S178 FR is further enhanced by the notable series of American Roll-Royce collectors that has cared for the vehicle. Chassis was built in 1928, bodied in 1929, titled as a 1928. **TITLED AS A 1928** ** TITLE IN TRANSIT**