1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster (Brewster coachwork)
- Colour
- Black
Chassis S158FR is a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I fitted with a Derby Speedster body by Brewster, one of only five built and four surviving. Delivered new to Herbert Ferrell of Nashville, son-in-law of the Maxwell House coffee magnate J.O. Cheek, the car spent decades in the Nashville region before passing through a series of notable collectors. An extensive concours-level restoration brought it to prize-winning condition, earning top honours from both the Classic Car Club of America and the Antique Automobile Club of America, and a class placing at the 1999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$885,000
- 1929-07-01 →Factory deliveryHerbert Ferrellpartial documentation
Nashville, Tennessee resident and son-in-law of Maxwell House coffee magnate J.O. Cheek; initially dissatisfied with top speed, two factory mechanics were sent to retune the car to his satisfaction.
- 1953 →Acquisition unknownNeil McDadepartial documentation
Commissioned a restoration through Schaler & Wade, a Rolls-Royce specialist dealer in Indianapolis; a period photograph of the family with the refinished black car is on file.
- 1958 →Acquisition unknownBill Davispartial documentation
Noted Rolls-Royce and Bentley collector who retained the car for roughly 25 years before selling it on.
- → 1999Acquisition unknownWilliam Lassiter Jr.partial documentation
Oversaw completion of the restoration; car was sold publicly as part of the dispersal of his collection in 1999.
- 2013 →AuctionTerence E. Adderleypartial documentation
Acquired the car approximately 14 years after the 1999 Lassiter collection sale; retained in the Terence E. Adderley Collection.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRick Carrollpartial documentation
Commissioned restorer Clay Cook to carry out a comprehensive, cost-unrestricted restoration targeting concours standard; Carroll died before the work was completed.
Competition
- 1993Classic Car Club of AmericaCCCA National First Prize1st Prize
Awarded following completion of the restoration overseen by William Lassiter Jr.
- 1993Antique Automobile Club of AmericaAACA National First Prize1st Prize
Earned in the same year as the CCCA award, reflecting the high standard of the completed restoration.
- 19991999 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Believed to have placed second within its class; exact class category not specified in the source.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1953RestorationSchaler & Wade
The car was sent to Schaler & Wade, a Rolls-Royce dealer in Indianapolis, for a restoration. Post-work photographs show the car in a freshly completed black exterior finish.
Commissioned by owner Neil McDade.
- —RestorationClay Cook
A comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration was undertaken by Clay Cook, bringing the car to full concours standard. The project was initiated under Rick Carroll but completed under subsequent owner William Lassiter Jr.
Described as an open-ended budget restoration; Carroll's death meant Lassiter oversaw its conclusion. The car's current show-quality presentation is attributed to this work.
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