Vehicle Description
Established in Springfield, Massachusetts as the American
subsidiary of Rolls-Royce in December 1919, Rolls-Royce of America
Incorporated began automobile production with the mighty Silver
Ghost chassis, progressing to the improved 'New Phantom'
(retrospectively named 'Phantom I') in 1926. Catering to the
fabulously wealthy carriage trade in America's northeastern
corridor, Springfield-built Rolls-Royce motorcars enjoyed the same
high esteem as the Derby-built cars from Rolls-Royce's home works
in England. Of particular importance to American buyers, the
Springfield operation avoided stiff duties on imported motorcars
and brought Rolls-Royce to prominence in the burgeoning American
automobile market. Despite early success, the operation ultimately
fell victim by 1929 to the high retooling costs for the Phantom II
and the near-collapse of the elite, custom-coach built automobile
market during the early 1930s. During Springfield's glory years, an
American-built Rolls-Royce could be ordered with 'factory'
coachwork, unlike their British-built counterparts, produced as
bare chassis. Numerous body builders, mainly located to the
northeastern United States, produced a stunning array of bodies
listed in the Rolls-Royce of America Custom Coach Work catalogue.
Uniquely, Rolls-Royce of America named each of its Brewster body
styles after towns in the United Kingdom. The Tilbury Sedan,
attributed to the renowned Brewster coachworks, was a prime example
of the concept. Consistent with Rolls-Royce, the Tilbury sedan was
a very attractive, well-proportioned and equipped body style aimed
at the growing numbers of well-heeled owner/drivers during the era.
Numbered S123RP, this Springfield-built 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I
is one of just 20 examples fitted with Tilbury sedan coachwork,
according to marque authorities. Provenance is outstanding and
exhaustively documented from new and confirmed by the wealth of
chassis records and RROC rosters on file, plus the chassis listing
published in the definitive book Rolls-Royce in America by John
Webb De Campi. Following delivery on May 19, 1928 to the first
recorded owner, Edith Archibald of New York City, S123RP passed to
Roland G. Archibald, presumably a family member, on January 23,
1929, and then the Rolls-Royce was sold privately on October 7,
1929 to A.M. Baxter of San Francisco, California, under whose
ownership the vehicle remained until July 23, 1947, when it was
acquired by Leonard E. Barges, also resident in San Francisco. The
vehicle remained continuously in California in the care of several
successive owners until May 21, 1970, when S123RP was acquired by
RROC member Ronald Henges of St. Louis, Missouri, who advertised it
in the Flying Lady with the engine professionally rebuilt and other
mechanical attention, and then sold it in November 1984 to
Californian RROC member Avedis Kalaydjian, who passed S123PR to
RROC member Michael Wilkinson of Rancho Santa Fe, California in
March 1986. The next owners of S123PR were none other than noted
classic-car collector/enthusiast and RROC member William B. Ruger
of Newport, New Hampshire, and then William Ruger, Jr. in 2003. The
Rugers were well known for having particularly keen eyes for
quality, and for keeping every vehicle in their collection in
absolute top form. After many years in the Ruger collection, Ed
Schoenthaler of Oak Brook, Illinois, acquired S123RP in October
2012. As offered, S123PR sports appealing livery and clearly
continues to benefit most handsomely from a well-detailed and
finely maintained older restoration, nicely complemented by Buffalo
wire-spoke wheels finished in black to complement the wings and
body trim. Paired with blackwall tires, the combination gives a
deeply appealing and purposeful appearance. Desirable and
period-correct accessories include Springfield's signature tubular
front and rear bumpers, plus drum-type headlamps, an iconic "Spirit
of Ecstasy" radiator mascot, dual side-mounted spare wheels and
tires, dual cowl lights, and a period-correct trunk complete with
matching fitted suitcases. The legendary and startlingly quiet
Rolls-Royce 7.7-liter inline six-cylinder engine, numbered 21237,
is paired with a centrally-shifted three-speed manual transmission
characteristic of Springfield-built examples, in contrast to the
four-speed gearboxes of their English counterparts. It runs and
drives very well, with a refined and civilized character. As
expected, the beautifully restored passenger cabin is both spacious
and comfortably appointed for all occupants, trimmed in pleated
gray cloth up front and sporting a striking brocade and broadcloth
combination to the rear. Characteristic of the Tilbury body style,
there is no divider window separating driver and passengers,
providing an airy, inviting feel for classic touring pleasure. With
space for friends and family, S123RP is ready for sharing the
wonderful experience and irreplaceable integrity of the mighty
Phantom I, which make it an ideal choice for the wide array of RROC
or CCCA touring events and shows. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7477-1928-rolls-royce-phantom-i-tilbury-saloon/