1928 ROLLS-ROYCE SPRINGFIELD ASCOT TOURING | Odometer showing 36272 miles. Introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 to replace the revolutionary 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. 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. This vehicle is one of approximately 28 built on the Phantom I chassis. There should be copies of the factory build sheets, however they were not available for inspection. These records should confirm that the car was sold new through the well-known New York based Rolls-Royce agency, J.S. Inskip, to R. Griffin of Jersey City, New Jersey in August, 1929. The factory records appear to note that Griffin later traded S178FR for a Phantom II Henley Roadster, at which point the Ascot was sold to Bernard Heaton of Boston, Massachusetts. Heaton kept the car until 1946 when it was offered on consignment with Elliot Hawley, and in February the following year it was sold to Peter Franz of Brooklyn, New York. The car's subsequent ownership history included a number of important pioneering collectors, who clearly understood how important a car this was. The first of these was Henry Wing, who the Rolls-Royce Owners Club notes restored the car between 1953 and 1956. The next was William O'Connor, a prominent Veteran Motor Car Club of America member, who used S178FR regularly on early RROC and BDC events. He penned a couple of articles in the club gazette charting enjoyable tours made in his Ascot. From O'Connor the car went to Paul Stern, another early connoisseur of collector cars, whose business was the original Manheim Auto Auction, based in his hometown of Manheim, Pennsylvania. While in Mr. Stern's ownership, S178FR was illustrated in the well-known book Rolls-Royce in America by John Webb de Campi. Stern sold the car to a fourth serious car collector, Wally Rank of Wisconsin and he in turn sold the car to Mark Smith of Skippack, Pennsylvania in the mid-1980s. S178FR remained in dry storage throughout the next quarter century, until it was purchased by an individual in 2010. At that time, the aging Ascot was in remarkably original and preserved condition, still retaining its original chassis, driveline, and Brewster coachwork. It was apparent that a combination of its lengthy period of rest and a history of ownership in the care of knowledgeable collectors left the car in a highly original state, apart from the sympathetic restoration performed during the 1950s. Many specific details remained in place, including the windshield mounted mirrors, arm rests for the rear seat passengers, and the particularly desirable and far more sporting 'Derby Speedster' style top. After being purchased, S178FR was treated to a thoughtful re-commissioning, bringing the highly original Rolls-Royce back to its former glory. Rolls-Royce specialist shop A.J. Glew of Gloucestershire was entrusted with the mechanical work, and Haslams Body, Ltd. of Bolton with the paint and bodywork. Approximately £50,000 was spent on restoration. Finished in Rouge Carmine over Amaranto, with beige leather trim, this older restoration is powered by a 7,668cc OHV inline 6-cylinder engine, with single Rolls-Royce carburetor, 113bhp at 2,300rpm, 3-speed manual transmission, drum brakes. Chassis No. S178FR; Engine 21788 , VIN#S189FR. This Bank Seized vehicle will sell at public auction on Saturday, June 25th. Location: Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. www.hendersonmotorseries.com for all the details. Offered without reserve.
