Celebrating 100 Years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom

13/08/2025

Before the formal introduction of the nameplate, specific client cars had been granted the Phantom moniker—a Green Phantom in 1907, two Silver Phantoms in 1909—but the first official model, known initially as the New Phantom, was revealed for 1925. The name was likely crafted by the marque’s commercial director, Claude Johnson, who, according to Rolls, understood the power of ethereal names to convey its cars’ superlative poise and quietude.Rolls-Royces throughout the so-called classic era (Generations I–VI) were sold as rolling chasses—a client’s chosen coachbuilder crafted custom bodies. The Phantom I was offered in short- or long-wheelbase form, the former for chauffeur-driven sedans or limos, the latter for sportier owner-driven coupes and convertibles. All were powered by a 7.7-liter pushrod overhead-valve straight-six and a four-speed non-synchro transmission. They used semi-elliptic leaf springs up front and cantilever springs out back. To serve the growing American market, a Rolls factory was built in Springfield, Massachusetts, and more than one-third of the overall production of this series occurred there.This featured Phantom is a Springfield-built car, one of just 21 Ascot Phaetons built on the platform, named for an annual British society horse race. It was customized with polished aluminum, 21-inch wheels, and roll-up windows by the famed Murphy Coachworks of Pasadena, CA.
Source: caranddriver.com

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