Offered from the esteemed Robert M. and Anne Brockinton Lee Collection 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Dual Cowl TourerCoachwork by BrewsterChassis no. S402MREngine no. 22029 7,668cc OHV inline six-cylinder engineSingle carburetor100bhp at 3,000rpmThree-speed manual transmissionFront semi-elliptical leaf springs and rear cantilever spring suspensionFour-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes *Iconic collaboration of Rolls-Royce and Brewster*One of only 14 built and 11 to survive today*Ex-James Leake Collection, *Featured in de Campi's Rolls-Royce in America*Unseen publicly for decades THE PHANTOM I DERBYIntroduced by Rolls-Royce in 1925 to replace the 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. Its chassis though, remained essentially the same as that of the later, four-wheel-braked Silver Ghost and would continue fundamentally unchanged until the arrival of the Phantom II in 1929 brought with it an entirely new frame. 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. Springfield commenced manufacture of the New Phantom in 1926 and by the second half of 1929 production had risen to 12 cars per week. This would prove to be the high point of Rolls-Royce of America's fortunes, the October '29 Wall Street Crash and the introduction of the Phantom II - re-tooling for which the US company could not afford – signaling the beginning of its decline. The Phantom I was in production for only five years and the UK-built models ran parallel with the Springfield cars but ended in 1929, whereas the Americans continued until 1931.Unlike its British-built counterpart, the American product could be ordered with 'factory' bodywork, usually by Brewster, the latter company having been taken over by Rolls-Royce in December 1925. As well as manufacturing coachwork of the highest quality, Brewster had built its own automobiles from 1915 up to the time of its acquisition by Rolls-Royce, re-emerging as an auto-maker in its own right, using Ford chassis, when US Phantom production finally ceased in 1934 and the company became part of the reconstituted Springfield Manufacturing Corporation. Of all the bodies that Brewster built on Springfield chassis it is the Derby that has become the most hallowed. They are without doubt one of the best-looking cars of the period of any coachbuilder and, represent the pinnacle of Brewster design, with the dished aluminum molding stretching from stem to stern, cutaway doors and compact tail. The fact that they quite literally appear to be moving when standing still alludes to their sporting pretensions and eschews much of the preconceptions of the brand. Only 14 Derby Tourers were ever built and it is thought that of those a mere 11 survive to this day, a further 4 Speedster versions which are identical save for kick up rear fenders complete this neat batch of automobiles. All are universally coveted and rarely change hands the last such examples being offered publicly more than 6 years ago. THE MOTORCAR OFFEREDThis example comes with a pedigree that could hardly be bettered, being offered directly from the collection of one of the foremost collectors of the marque Robert M. Lee. It was acquired by him in the heyday of his acquisitions of Rolls-Royce, when a number of mythical examples of the brand joined his collection including icons such as London-Edinburgh Silver Ghosts and several unique coachbuilt Silver Clouds. S402MR could chart an equally important history preceding this, it had been built as one of the last Phantom Ones, and as such benefits from details such as its late series C. M. Hall torpedo head and sidelights, which are more befitting of the rakish bodywork than the earlier 'drum' design. Of course, for Rolls-Royce, a wonderful aspect of the quality of the marque is that they were vociferous record keepers and information on build and ownership is known from day one. The original owner was one Mrs. Margaret Dunlop of Amsterdam, New York, whose husband David had heralded from the British Isles in Scotland and she from Ireland, perhaps accounting for a leaning towards the iconic British car builder, and a wish to own a blend of the best of these two nations either side of the Atlantic. S402MR was the last Phantom One to have worn Derby Tourer bodywork from new, something that is not common since body switches even in those days were frequent, as Brewster and Rolls frequently updated cars to resell them. Mrs. Dunlop received the Rolls two days before Valentine's Day 1930 and would retain it for seven years. Ownership after this remained in New York state, first with another lady, Mrs. Dorothy Tuckerman then in March 1939 it moved out onto Long Island and into the possession of Francis DeBeixedon of Easthampton. From this point the car transferred across the country, leaving East Coast ownership to pass to F. Ryden Skinner of Alta Lodge, Utah in 1945. The following year it migrated right across the country and to San Diego, becoming the property of Lester P. Wegeforth.According to the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club, the Derby was already in the ownership of famed Rolls-Royce collector, James 'Jimmy' Leake of Muskogee, Oklahoma by 1966. In his ownership it is featured in John Webb de Campi's definitive reference book, Rolls-Royce in America and it remained in that same stable by 1990 when offered at auction where it was purchased by Mr. Lee. It would later be joined by a Derby Speedster, effectively duplicating its purpose within the group, leading to the rationalized decision to offer the car for sale. Today the car's older restoration shows some age but none too much to overshadow its exquisite form, which is the essence of the 'Roaring Twenties'. Its guise is a tasteful rich chestnut hue, with matched fenders coach-lined in cream and further accented externally by whitewall tires, an off-white top and covered trunk. These are contrasted by the simple chrome features of radiator, dual windshields and the aluminum trim swage molding. The interior is trimmed in deep burgundy hides. With the depth of choice among the collection the Derby has seen only limited display in this three decades of custody, it provides its next keeper the opportunity to show a much-fabled model which will, as it did in its day, surely draw considerable interest.
