Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Rolls-Royce Phantom I

Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Ltd
Also called	40/50 Phantom
Production	1925–1931 3512 produced
Assembly	Derby, England Springfield, Massachusetts
Predecessor	Silver Ghost
Successor	Phantom II
Class	Luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Engine(s)	7,668 cc (468 cu in) I6
Transmission(s)	3-speed manual 4-speed manual
Wheelbase	143½ in (3644.9 mm) US LWB: 146½ in (3721.1 mm) UK LWB: 150½ (3822.7 mm)

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The Phantom was Rolls-Royce's replacement for the original Silver Ghost.

Description

Like the famed Ghost, the Phantom was constructed both in the United Kingdom and United States, with the US model trailing the UK by one year on introduction and two in replacement.

One major improvement over the Silver Ghost was the new pushrod-OHV straight-6 engine. Constructed as three groups of two cylinders with detachable heads (state of the art at the time), the large engine produced excellent power to pull the large heavy car. The engine used a 4¼ in (107.9 mm) bore and long 5½ in (139.7 mm) stroke for a total of 7.7 L (7668 cc/467 in³) of displacement. Aluminum was substituted for cast iron in the cylinder heads in 1928.

Semi-elliptical springs suspended the front, while cantilever springs were used in the rear. 4-wheel servo-assisted brakes were also specified, though some initial US models lacked front brakes.

Differences between the US and UK models included available wheelbases — both were specified with the same 143½ in (3644.9 mm) base length, but the UK long-wheelbase model was longer at 150½ (3822.7 mm) than the 146½ in (3721.1 mm) American version. Other differences included the transmission, with UK models using a 4-speed and US models using a 3-speed manual transmission, both with a single dry-plate clutch.

UK models were built at Rolls' Derby factory, while US Phantoms were built in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Bodywork

Only the chassis and mechanical parts were made by Rolls-Royce. The body was made and fitted by a coachbuilder selected by the owner. Some of the most famous coachbuilders who produced bodies for Rolls Royce cars are Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper.

Production

• Phantom I (UK): 2269
• Phantom I (US): 1243

Images

Rolls-Royce New Phantom Limousine 1926

Rolls-Royce New Phantom Landaulette De Ville 1927

References

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