1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Torpedo by Wilkinson

The Rolls-Royce Phantom I was introduced in May 1925 and it was evident that the company had used all of its eighteen years experience building the Silver Ghost to good effect. An all new 7,668cc pushrod-operated overhead valve engine with detachable cylinder heads was incorporated in a 40/50 chassis, enabling not only excellent performance with 90bhp but a smooth and more refined driving experience than the Ghost. This was achieved through the development of features such as servo-assisted brakes, ensuring descent stopping ability, and semi-elliptical front springs with cantilever springs used at the rear.

The 'New Phantom' was very much a product of the fierce competition between two engineering giants, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. It is reputed that Henry Royce was so vexed by the publicity showered on the Bentley Boys that he demanded three 'EX' cars to be built, each capable of hitting 100mph. It was within this distinctive British spirit of competition that the 'New Phantom' emerged from the drawing board.

A large variety of coachwork manufacturers were available to the Rolls-Royce buyer in 1925. UK models were built at the Derby factory in chassis and mechanical form and then sent to coachbuilders such as Barker, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper. Whereas American built cars, built in Springfield, Massachusetts, often differed slightly in specification (3-speed gearbox instead of 4-speed) and were sent to US coachbuilders such as Brewster, who produced a wide variety of body styles.

Chassis number 55DC was originally registered ON 9009 and was issued with its Rolls-Royce guarantee in 1926. The car's original body was a Hooper Landaulette but was subsequently re-bodied by Wilkinson of Derby to a Torpedo specification. The car eventually found its way to Canada and resided in a large private collection for many years until it was purchased by the current owner's father in 1992. A copy of the import document is included in the history file. Since 1992 55DC was used extensively for touring through the Alps and across Europe, proving itself to be a reliable and comfortable touring companion. In the last three months the vehicle has been stripped, cleaned and recommissioned to a very high standard.