Vehicle Description
1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring Sedan with Coachwork by
Brewster: From the 1978 motion picture The BetsyAs most Phantom I
Avon sedans were built for owner-operation, this example is one of
few constructed as a Touring Sedan with a rollup division window.
In addition it is outfitted with a luggage trunk and dual
side-mounted spares with mirrors. Even better, this Phantom I Avon
has movie history. In its case it was in the 1978 film version of
Harold Robbins' novel "The Betsy" the story of an ill-fated
automobile entrepreneur and his family. Dressed up for the film in
peach paint with cream fenders and body beltline accent, its roof
is padded in cream leatherette. The interior is beige leather. The
six wire wheels are painted in body color and all carry wide
whitewall tires. Rolls-Royce records reveal that it was sold new to
Parker Corning of Kenwood, New York (between Syracuse and Utica) on
November 14, 1930. It remained with him until August 1946 when it
was sold to pioneer collector and historian Keith Marvin of New
Canaan, Connecticut. Marvin sold it on New Year's Eve 1950 to
Albert O. White of Schenectady, New York. It was later acquired by
Ted Leonard. Following Mr. Leonard's passing the car was acquired
by its previous owner. The Rolls-Royce appears to have been
sympathetically preserved by a succession of owners with the
chassis and engine compartment particularly impressive and highly
original. The repaint is to movie standards (good enough for the
camera) but the car is sound and well preserved. On static display
for the past decade, the overall appearance and presentation
encourage confidence in its preservation and condition which makes
it an excellent candidate for driving, following mechanical
recommissioning. It's easy to see the Avon sedan's attraction. Its
low roofline and slightly raked windshield with body-colored frame
blended attractively with the longer Phantom hood and looked
particularly good with a padded roof. The wide center posts gave
the visual effect of a convertible sedan, but with the snug,
secure, protected passenger compartment of a full sedan. As one of
the few touring sedans with division window versions of the popular
Brewster Avon coachwork it will be a valued participant at concours
and Rolls-Royce events. 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Avon Touring
SedanCoachwork by Brewster & Co.Chassis no. S320LREngine no. 21209
Featured in the 1978 motion picture The Betsy Rarely seen Avon with
division Well known history Accompanied by Rolls-Royce Foundation
documentationPrice: $49,500
