Footnotes

• Rolls-Royce’s ‘single model’ policy had proved to be an outstanding success for the company, but immediately after the end of the Great War the recession in the motor trade prompted the introduction of a smaller, cheaper, 20hp car to be built alongside the existing 40/50hp Silver Ghost. Henry Royce’s new design incorporated a number of modern features such as overhead valve-gear for its six-cylinder engine, a centre-change gearbox and ‘Hotchkiss drive’ rear axle, the advanced newcomer’s arrival only serving to emphasise the Silver Ghost’s Edwardian origins. However, the 45/50hp model would soon benefit from developments pioneered on its smaller sibling.
  Long-awaited successor to the ’Ghost, the New Phantom arrived in 1925. ‘After seven years of experiment and test, in the course of which no promising device had remained untried, the 45/50hp Phantom chassis emerged, and is offered to the public as the most suitable type possible for a mechanically propelled carriage under present-day conditions,’ announced Rolls-Royce.
  Retrospectively known as the ‘Phantom I’, the newcomer boasted an entirely new push-rod overhead-valve, 7,688cc, six-cylinder engine with detachable cylinder head, a unit considerably more powerful than that of its Edwardian predecessor. The New Phantom, like the 20hp, adopted a disc-type clutch and adjustable radiator shutters; its chassis though, remained essentially the same as that of the later four-wheel-braked ‘Ghost and would continue fundamentally unchanged until the arrival of the Phantom II in 1929 brought with it an entirely new frame. Some 2,212 Phantom I chassis had left Rolls-Royce’s UK factory by the time production ceased.
  Displayed at the 1928 Scottish Motor Show, Phantom I chassis number ’63RF’ was delivered new via Clyde Autos fitted with limousine coachwork by Barker & Co to first owner, Sir Arthur Young, a Dumbartonshire baronet who was also Member of Parliament for Glasgow, Scotstoun. Copy chassis cards on file confirm that ‘63RF’ is a long-chassis car, delivered with ‘extras’ that included a luggage rack, side-lamp wiring, two spare wheels, up-rated springs and nickel-plated fittings.
  In the early 1980s the Phantom was extensively restored and a new Hooper Brougham de Ville replica body constructed by Wilkinson’s of Derby (see ‘Those Elegant Rolls-Royce’ by Lawrence Dalton, page 35). The car was refinished in two-tone green with black wings, with black leather upholstery to the front compartment and green fabric to the rear.
  ‘63RF’ was purchased by the current owner in March 1990. In 1997 a mechanical rebuild was undertaken by marque specialist, Michael Hibberd, which included an engine overhaul and the installation of new brakes, road springs, brake cables, etc. A new front hood was fitted at this time. Further work carried out by Mr Hibberd (totalling £19,517) in June 2007 included an engine ‘de-coke’, bonnet repair, new springs, dampers and suspension bushes, plus a service (receipts available). The dynamo too was overhauled at around this time.
  Benefiting from long-term careful ownership and considerable expenditure on its upkeep, this elegant and imposing Phantom I is reported as running exceptionally well and ready to be enjoyed. The car is offered with the aforementioned documentation, copy Hooper build sheet, copy DVLA logbooks, current MoT/road fund licence and Swansea V5C registration document.
  

Saleroom notices

• MoT to be forwarded post-sale.