Vehicle Description
Early Phantom I Sedanca De Ville by Barker & Co. Classic Rolls
Royce engineering in a coach built Town Car designed to be
chauffeur driven with seating for 4 rear passengers. Survives with
an excellent body and solid wood construction. Showcasing an older,
well preserved cosmetic restoration today and just 59,000 miles on
the odometer! CCCA eligible and candidate for Rolls Royce Owners
Club events. Rolls Royce Phantom I Sedanca de Ville Background:
Rolls Royces Silver Ghost became the most famous vehicle ever built
due to its silent operation, rugged construction, durability and
ease of operation. From 1906 until 1925, it was sold to the most
discriminating buyers worldwide and earned the Rolls Royce Company
its slogan of The Worlds Best Automobile. By the mid-1920s, the
technology used to build the Silver Ghost was becoming antiquated
and a new model was designed. First called The New Phantom and
later referred to as the Phantom I, the new model used a modified
chassis design based on that of the Silver Ghost but with an
addition of four-wheel, servo-operated mechanical brakes. The
engine of the new Phantom I was totally re-engineered to use
overhead valves instead of en-bloc valves and its displacement was
increased by nearly 20 percent. Other features of the new engine
included a redesigned carburetor that was fed fuel by a dash
mounted vacuum tank and a front mounted vibration dampener, which
helped to further quiet the already near silent engine. The new
engine proved to be more powerful than that of the Silver Ghost and
initial tests found the vehicle to have a top speed of near 100
miles per hour. The chassis of the New Phantom carried a base price
of about $12,000.00. Rolls Royce never produced its own coachwork,
but supplied the new owner with a chassis that was equipped with a
radiator, hood, dashboard and fenders if desired. The new owner
would then have a custom body built to his or her specifications
and fitted to the Rolls Royce chassis. This 1926 Rolls Royce
Phantom I, chassis number 57DC was sent to the well-known British
coachbuilder, Barker & Company who fitted it with a popular body
style known as the Sedanca de Ville. Barkers Sedanca de Ville was a
town car with seating for four in the rear and an exposed front
chauffers seat that had a retractable top covering. Unlike most
formal cars of this period, which were large and bulky looking,
this model was narrow, sporty and well-balanced in design. Rolls
Royce Phantom I Sedanca de Ville Info: The history of this 1926
Phantom I is well known and documented. Based on the build cards
and service history records retained from the Rolls Royce
Enthusiasts club, chassis number 57DC was completed on July of 1926
and sold to a Mrs. Birkin of Hyde Park Gardens in London. Prior to
being sold to Mrs. Birkin, this car was used as a trials car both
by Rolls Royce and by Barker. The term Trials Car, as used by Rolls
Royce, indicates that this vehicle was used fordemonstration
purposes for a short period of time before being sold. Records of
the car kept by Rolls Royce indicate that the car went through a
series of different owners prior to being sold to a L.J. Thompson
in 1946. During this twenty-year period, 57DC was maintained by
Rolls Royce dealers. The records documenting its ownership and
service history during this period are included with the sale.
After the Second World War, 57DC spent most of its life in the UK
with an exception of a period during the 1970s and 1980s when it
resided in Greece and owned by a prominent shipping heir and banker
named Alexander Andreadis, who, at one time was married to
Christine Onassis. Based on decals on the front windshield, the
Rolls Royce actively participated in touring events and rallies in
Greece. 57DC was once again returned to London by the mid-1980s
when it was again resold. The next owner was a Mr. Richard J.
Goeken of Houston, Texas. The car remained in Goekens collection
until his death when it was purchased by a noted Midwestern
collector of prewar automobiles. Today, 57DC remains in very
original and well-preserved condition. The mileage indicated is
approximately 59,000. Interestingly, the original service records
indicate of mileage of nearly 48,000 while it was still being
maintained by Rolls Royce prior to WWII, meaning it has been driven
just 11,000 in the last 70 years. The original Barker Sedanca de
Ville body remains in extremely solid condition. The door open and
close with the authority and precision expected from a high
quality, coach-built motorcar. The body shows no signs of damage or
neglect. The wood inner structures appear tight and solid
throughout. All of the sheet metal and aluminum body panels and
fenders are original, straight and solid. The ivory and black paint
appear to have been applied several decades ago. While showing
overall signs of wear and aging, the painted surfaces still show
extremely well with a warm and pleasant glow. The black fabric top
covering shows well and was likely replaced when the body was
refinished The front drivers compartment is finished with a red
leather seat that is in good condition and was likely recovered
many years ago. The dashboard has its complete collection of Rolls
Royce script gauges and controls that have been well preserved and
are in very good original condition. There is a folding cloth
covering that can be used to cover the driver during inclement
weather. The rear passengers compartment is extremely well
presented. It is finished in a tan, cloth fabric, which is
complemented by polished wood trim panels and nickel plated
accents. The interior remains in very nice condition and shows only
minimal signs of wear and aging. The divider window assembly has
been in the up position for many years and will likely require some
servicing in order to perform properly again. With the exception of
a missing privacy curtain and a damaged rear door assist rope, the
interior is complete with two folding jump seats, folding armrests
and vanities. This 1926 Phantom I is well equipped with several
period and factory options such as King of the Road headlamps with
matching, oversized fender lights, CAV dual spot lights and tail
lights, a rear mounted, contoured trunk, and dual side-mounted
spare tires. Of course, the famous Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy
mascot adorns the radiator. Under the hood, the original engine
#0I45 appears to be very original and correct. Since this is one of
the earlier Phantom Is built, it retains the desirable cast iron
cylinder head, which is more reliable than the later aluminum
heads. The engine retains its dual distributor and magneto ignition
systems, the correct carburetor, vacuum tank, generator and starter
assemblies. The engine starts easily and idles well. The original
four-speed, right hand shift transmission assembly shifts smoothly
and accurately. The car retains its original 23 Dunlop wire wheels
with older, replacement tires. Unlike most vehicles of this period,
this 1926 Rolls Royce Sedanca De Ville has never been disassembled.
57DC has only been cosmetically restored as needed and today,
remains in very good, mostly original condition. It will be a
welcomed candidate for Classic Car Club of America and Rolls Royce
Owners Club events and will certainly be a focal point of any
collection.