1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer (Springfield)

S178FRroadUnited States

Engine: 7.7L inline-six with pushrod overhead valves

Chassis S178FR is a Springfield-built Rolls-Royce Phantom I bodied as an Ascot Tourer, one of only 28 constructed by Merrimac and Brewster. Delivered in August 1929 to a New Jersey industrialist, the car passed through several notable American collectors before undergoing an extensive concours-level restoration by British specialists in 2010. It retains its original chassis, engine, and coachwork and has never been shown at a judged concours event.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$274,400
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1929-08-01 →Factory delivery
Robert Griffin
partial documentation
Successful industrialist from Jersey City, New Jersey; original delivery recipient of the car.
→ 1946Private sale
Bernard Heaton
partial documentation
Acquired the car after Griffin traded it in for a Phantom II; retained ownership until 1946.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Henry Wing
partial documentation
Undertook a full restoration of the car between 1953 and 1956.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
William O'Connor
partial documentation
Notable VMCCA member who authored several published pieces about this car in The Bulb Horn.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Paul Stern
partial documentation
During his ownership the car was featured in John de Campi's reference work on Rolls-Royce in America.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Wallace Rank
partial documentation
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Consignor (identity not stated)
partial documentation
Commissioned a comprehensive concours restoration around 2010, carried out by UK specialists A.J. Glew and Haslams.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2010Restoration
A.J. Glew and Haslams
Comprehensive concours-standard restoration commissioned while the car remained in largely original condition, executed by UK-based marque specialists.
Resulted in exceptional bodywork finish, beige leather interior, and refined woodwork; original chassis, engine, and coachwork retained throughout.
—
Restoration
Partial restoration carried out by Henry Wing over a period spanning 1953 to 1956.
Undertaken during Wing's ownership as part of early collector stewardship.

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