1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Newport Town Car (Springfield)
A Springfield-built Rolls-Royce Phantom I chassis clothed in a Newport town car body, distinguished by an extended hoodline, angled windshield, and notably low roofline — a style more commonly associated with the Phantom II. Delivered new in January 1934, the car passed through a succession of American owners including a Chicago meatpacking heir and diplomat with Guggenheim and Rothschild family connections. A full restoration was carried out under a later owner before the car entered a private collection in 2000.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$126,000
- 1934-01-13 → 1935-04-01Factory deliveryS.J. Gainesfull documentation
First registered owner; delivery date confirmed by Rolls-Royce Foundation records.
- 1935-04-01 → 1936-10-01Acquisition unknownBelle Baconfull documentation
Based in Brookline, Massachusetts; ownership span documented in foundation records.
- 1936-10-01 →Acquisition unknownIra Morris Nelsonfull documentation
Notable Chicago meatpacking heir, philanthropist, and diplomat with family ties to prominent European dynasties; transition date confirmed by foundation records.
- 1946-04-01 →Acquisition unknownYork L. Wilsonpartial documentation
Resident of Washington, D.C.; acquisition date noted but no further detail given.
- 1978 → 1986Acquisition unknownStanley M. Franklinpartial documentation
Based in Vienna, Virginia; retained the car for approximately eight years before selling.
- 1986 → 2000Private saleRobert Pellpartial documentation
Resident of La Habra, California; longest single owner, commissioned the restoration that brought the car to its current condition.
- 2000 →Private saleCurrent collection ownerspartial documentation
Acquired for a distinguished personal collection following the Pell restoration.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
The car was comprehensively restored to a high standard during Robert Pell's ownership, achieving the attractive appearance it presents today.
Work carried out prior to 2000; no workshop named in the source.
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