Rolls-Royce Phantom I chassis number 59LC, offered here, was ordered in July 1925 by the Madrid Rolls-Royce distributor, Don Carlos de Salamanca, himself a well-known gentleman sportsman and racing driver, on behalf of a client by the name of Lanser. It was completed by the factory on 12 October 1925, and shipped shortly before Christmas to the coachbuilder, Carrosserie Manessius. Established by Manes Levy six years prior, Manessius was noted for its innovative construction methods, pioneering all-metal bodies as well as integral luggage compartments—both features seen on this unusually advanced body on the Phantom I.

Build records, copies of which are included within the history file, note that the car was originally to be delivered as a cabriolet, soon revised to torpedo—apparently a matter of semantics. The completed motorcar is said to have been pictured in a 1927 publication, La Vie Automobil. Afterward it was sold in March 1928 to its apparent original owner of record, Clement Van der Straaten, a Belgian aristocrat, in a sale apparently arranged by the Parisian Mercedes-Benz dealer and frequent coachbuilding collaborator, Michel Poberejsky.

A history of the car, included within the file, notes that it remained in Belgium with subsequent owners until 1956, then spent two decades in the Netherlands before moving to Great Britain, where it was enjoyed by enthusiasts until 1995. That year it was acquired by the prominent German Rolls-Royce collector, Hans-Günter Zach. Mr Zach shortly undertook a full restoration of the Phantom I, at which point the underpinnings of the Manessius coachwork, long since converted to a fixed head coupé were discovered, allowing it to be faithfully restored to the original design and in these period-correct colours, accessorised with beautiful Phares Besnard headlamps, polished disc wheel covers, and rear-mounted spare. Please note, this 2025 catalogue description has been compiled using older photography. Interested parties should refer to the RM Sotheby's website for newer images.

In more recent ownership, the Phantom I was sorted mechanically and enjoyed by its caretakers in several touring and rally events, including a journey from Monte Carlo to Switzerland over the Alps, while still occasionally making appearances at various European concours. It is still in lovely overall condition, and as a uniquely sporting example of its type would be most desirable for any Rolls-Royce collector’s stable.