Lot details
Registration No: SV 4712
Chassis No: 104 TC
Mot Expiry: Aug 2006

An evolutionary design, the Rolls-Royce New Phantom made its public debut at the company's 14/15 Conduit St London showrooms in May 1925. Based around a leaf-sprung (semi-elliptic front, cantilever rear), ladder-frame chassis that was nigh-on interchangeable with that of its illustrious Silver Ghost predecessor, it benefited from an all-new pushrod-operated, overhead-valve 7668cc engine. Famed for its flexibility and silence, this six-cylinder unit was reputedly capable of propelling the Phantom I (as it was retrospectively known) from walking pace to 80mph in top gear. Less technologically advanced than rivals such as the Hispano-Suiza H6, the big Rolls-Royce was revered the world over for its refinement and build quality.
According to its accompanying RREC copy chassis cards, 104 TC was ordered new by Mrs J Kearsley-Mitchell of the Hotel Crillon, Paris in late April 1926. Shying away from various British and French alternatives, she chose to have it fitted with coachwork by the famous Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania (whose other clients included Joseph Stalin, Pope Pius XII, King Farouk, President Eisenhower, Gary Cooper and Raymond Loewy). To this end, it left London docks on 27th August 1926 aboard the 'N.W. Miller'. Arriving Stateside the following month, it is unknown whether Derham clad 104 TC as a Cabriolet (the bodystyle listed in the chassis cards) or as a Sedanca de Ville. Resident in Paris during 1927, the Phantom was treated to a new tappet, Autovac restriction elbow and Servo damper that summer. Supplied with a new eighteen gallon fuel tank and distributor brush by Rolls-Royce America in October 1928 and December 1930, it was acquired by Mr Walter Spickard of Tuckerton, New Jersey sometime thereafter. A hydraulic dredging engineer by profession, he had 104 TC extensively restored by Henry's Antique Car Shop of Oceanville, New Jersey between 1974 and 1976. Imported to the UK in the early 1990s, it was bought by Mr Brotherton from Ivor Bleaney of the New Forest for £59,950 on 20th July 1995. Described at the time as a "rare Sedanca de Ville Town Car" with "Coachwork by Derham", it has been regularly maintained since then. Finished in grey over black, its external appearance is heightened by twin side-mounted spare wheels, rear luggage trunk and a fabric roof. Trimmed in a mixture of black leather (front) and grey velvet (rear), the sumptuous interior boasts such niceties as a wind-up glass division, inter-compartmental telecom system, window blinds and occasional seats. Said to be in very good overall condition, this continent-hopping New Phantom is offered for sale with RREC copy chassis cards, copious Henry's Antique Car Shop progress reports / invoices, V5C registration document, sundry Coldwell Engineering receipts and MOT certificate valid until August 4th 2006.

PLEASE NOTE: THE EXACT ORIGINS OF THIS LOT'S BODYWORK REMAIN A MYSTERY. IT IS POSSIBLE / PROBABLE THAT IT BEGAN LIFE AS A DERHAM BODIED CABRIOLET (AS ITS CHASSIS CARDS AND VARIOUS MARQUE BOOKS SUGGEST) BEFORE BEING REBODIED IN THE CURRENT STYLE SOMETIME LATER - THOUGH BY WHOM WE DO NOT KNOW.