1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Phaeton (Springfield)

S368LRroadUnited States

Engine: 7.7L (468 cu. in.) OHV inline-six, 40/50 bhp, servo-assisted four-wheel brakes
Colour: Maroon and pewter two-tone

A 1930 Springfield-built Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Phaeton, chassis S368LR, one of only 28 genuine examples of the body style produced. Originally delivered to Chicago society figure Russell Phelps Kelley Sr. in February 1930, it passed through several owners before spending nearly three decades with Massachusetts collector Stephen Antine, during which it gained regional prominence in Rolls-Royce Owners Club circles and appeared in the 1978 film adaptation of Harold Robbins's novel 'The Betsy'. The car retains its original chassis and sporting coachwork.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$302,500
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1930-02-15 → 1953Factory delivery
Russell Phelps Kelley Sr.
full documentation
Son of a railroad magnate and printing-press industry executive, Kelley was connected to prominent Chicago society and kept the car at a family estate in Lake Bluff, Illinois.
1953 →Acquisition unknown
Edward S. Hansen
partial documentation
Hansen was based in Madison, Wisconsin; the precise end of his ownership is not stated.
→ 1970-05-01Acquisition unknown
John C. Coval
partial documentation
Coval, from Wyckoff, New Jersey, simultaneously owned at least one other Ascot Phaeton during his tenure with this car.
1970-05-01 →Private sale
Stephen Antine
full documentation
Based in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Antine held the car for nearly three decades, regularly driving and showing it within East Coast Rolls-Royce Owners Club circles; ownership confirmed by Rolls-Royce Foundation records.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Sidney Wells
partial documentation
Wells was based in Glencoe, Illinois; exact tenure dates are not given.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—
Bodywork
Exterior paintwork was refreshed in the existing maroon and pewter colour scheme; the finish remained in sound condition at time of cataloguing.
Work carried out within the ten years prior to the auction listing; exact date not stated.
—Engine rebuild
Steve Littin
Comprehensive mechanical restoration costing approximately $40,000, encompassing a full engine rebuild with newly sourced cylinder blocks imported from England and a replacement cylinder head fitted with new valves and valve guides.
Workshop located in Chardon, Ohio; described as a renowned Rolls-Royce specialist. Work undertaken within the ten years prior to cataloguing; exact date not stated.

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