The Rolls-Royce New Phantom—known retroactively as the Phantom I—succeeded the legendary 40/50 HP Silver Ghost with a massive 7.7-liter six-cylinder engine with pushrod overhead valves, making its smooth and quiet operation the envy of its contemporaries. It was produced for the United States market in the famous Rolls-Royce of America facility at Springfield, Massachusetts, with a striking catalogue of custom bodies offered under the Rolls-Royce Custom Coach Work label. Few of these were more beautiful than the sporting Ascot Tourer, of which only 28 examples were made by the shops of Brewster and Merrimac.

Chassis number S178FR, offered here, was delivered in August 1929 to Robert Griffin, a successful Jersey City, New Jersey, shoe polish manufacturer. Mr. Griffin subsequently traded the car back on a Phantom II, and it passed to Bernard Heaton, who kept it until 1946. Its history since includes several well-known enthusiasts, including the prominent early collector Henry Wing and longtime Veteran Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA) member, William O’Connor, who used it in many VMCCA activities. O’Connor eventually sold the Ascot to Paul Stern of Manheim, Pennsylvania, who exhibited it in his well-known collection and saw it featured in John Webb de Campi’s Rolls-Royce in America. It later passed from Stern to the noted Wisconsin collector Wally Rank, and it remained with him for many years before spending time in Mark Smith’s Virginia stable.

In 2010 the Phantom I, at that point still very original aside from its Wing finishes, underwent an extensive concours restoration by the respected UK-based specialists A.J. Glew and Haslams. Afterward it presented superbly, with exceptional finishes throughout, and a stunning interior finished in beige leather with polished woodwork. It drew much attention from Ray and Bonnie Kinney, longtime Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, who were thrilled to acquire it from its Connecticut-based caretaker in 2018. The Kinneys subsequently had the car fully serviced later that year by the noted Rolls-Royce specialist Rick Hamlin, including an engine rebuild and new wiring throughout, with additional work by Steve Littin of Ohio; detailed invoices for both are included in the file.

In beautiful condition throughout and impressively kept, this is among the finest Ascots to have been offered in recent memory, and with its outstanding history and presentation is deserving of the finest collection.