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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  27 Nov 2016 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  85
• Lot Description:
  1928 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM I
  Chassis no: 24 FH; Engine no: YE 25
• Notes:
  The replacement for Rolls-Royce's legendary Silver Ghost, the New Phantom, was introduced in 1925. It featured a larger 7,668cc six-cylinder engine. The cylinders were cast in two groups of three and it had a one-piece detachable head with overhead valves operated by push rods as opposed to the Ghost's side valves. The Phantom had a four-speed with reverse gearbox with side control and operated internal expanding servo assisted brakes on all four wheels. Phantom chassis number 24 FH was ordered on the 30th January 1928, from the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, England. A deposit of fifty pounds sterling was paid against the sum of 1,850 pounds for the rolling chassis alone. The long chassis came off test on the 2nd March 1928 and was delivered to Weyman Motor Bodies Ltd of Addlestone in Surrey. There it was to be fitted with a seven-seater passenger body to be covered with Weyman patented fabric in green with black mud guards. Upon completion, 24 FH was put aboard the SS Mooltan bound for Australia and the distributor Dalgety & Co of Sydney. Upon its arrival in July 1928 it was pounced upon by the press and the car was tested at the University of Sydney by Motor Life magazine (Motor Life 28th July 1928) having been registered on the 14th July as NSW-1-557. The Weyman bodied New Phantom was then delivered to Mrs Louisa K. Cargill for the use of her mother, Mrs Isabelle Whitney of Coombing Park, Carcoar, NSW. Coombing Park was a significant property of considerable note owned by Mr William Frank Whitney a partner of the Cobb & Co coaching company, pioneers of the Australian transport industry. Whitney's descendants still live on the property. At some point prior to or during the Second World War 24 FH was turned into a utility vehicle as many of these exceptional cars were in a time of need. In 1946 Jim Rutherford, the eldest son of Cobb & Co transport company Managing Director James Rutherford purchased the vehicle. Australian writers Will Ogilvie and Henry Lawson both paid tribute to the importance of "the lights of Cobb & Co" out in the Australian bush. Rutherford Junior was a pastoralist from Bathampton near Bathurst and had a passion for hunting, shooting and fishing. He used the Phantom, now registered as NSW-OC-517 and with reinforced wheels as his recreational vehicle and it was apparently referred to as the 'crocodile car'. The Rolls-Royce was later sold to John Dansey Agencies of Cudal and Holts Transport in Cowra where it continued to be used as a transport vehicle. By 1963 24 FH now just a drivable chassis was in the yard of dealer George Sevenoaks in Crows Nest, Sydney whence it was bought by John Spalding of Bankstown. Spalding, a panel beater, had purchased the vehicle with the intent of restoring it to its former glory. He sourced parts, including a Park Ward body, from around the world, but despite 24 FH being in his possession for 45 years the project never came to a conclusion. In 2012, it was purchased by its current owner, an avid and fastidious vintage car collector. Over the next two years the car was totally dismantled, further parts sourced, parts were restored and where necessary new components fabricated. Nothing was spared in the car's meticulous restoration, and as testimony to this, this Phantom I still retaining its matching chassis and engine numbers was awarded second prize in the Vintage and Veteran class at the Australian International Concourse d'Elegance in 2015. In the same year 24 FH also went on to win the coveted Vintage Drivers Club Concourse trophy. This vehicle will be sold unregistered
• Estimate:
  A$295,000 - 350,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.