Rolls-Royce established its first factory outside of England in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1919. Determined to capitalize on the growing demand in America for majestic luxury cars, the British stalwart acquired coachbuilder Brewster & Co. of Long Island, New York, in 1926, continuing a long tradition of Brewster-built Rolls-Royce automobiles. In all, only 1,241 examples of the Phantom I were built in Springfield, and those with coachwork by Brewster & Co. were particularly magnificent, especially the Ascot — described by Vogue magazine in 1929 as the “airy 4-passenger sport phaeton.”

Rare in its day, as one of only 28 Ascots bodied by Brewster & Co., this example is especially noteworthy in that it still bears the original engine and coachwork on the original chassis, which at 146.5" was the longest offered by Rolls-Royce. The Rolls-Royce in America book by John Webb de Campi lists chassis S368LR as having been delivered to Russell Phelps Kelley Sr., son of railroad magnate William Kelley, on February 15, 1930 — suggesting this is the last Ascot to be built.

S368LR was delivered new to its first owner, Russell Phelps Kelley Sr. in February of 1930. It went through a succession of known owners before being purchased in 1970 by noted Rolls-Royce collector Steven Antine, who fit S368LR with the vanity plate “RROC” and cherished it until his passing circa 2009, after which it was sold to Charles Le Maitre.

A previous owner, Zak Brown, purchased S368LR circa 2014 and later commissioned noted Rolls-Royce expert Steve Littin to perform a mechancial overhaul of the Ascot, including a rebuild of the engine, plus a new exhaust system and overdrive. The consignor purchased the Ascot from Brown in 2017. Having been previously fit with an incorrect radiator core, the consignor commissioned the build of a correct honeycomb unit at considerable time and expense by Vintage Car Radiator Company in Bicester, England, in 2019. Receipts for the recent work amount to more than $30,000.

In addition to the mechanical sorting this Rolls-Royce has received considerable cosmetic attention. Specialist Rick Hamlin attended to the body, which is finished in lovely brown and tan with eye-catching orange wheels. This late-series Phantom I also features a dual cowl with rear windshield, as well as full splash aprons, long pointed fenders, and large bullet lamps.

Superbly appointed, rare and magnificent with prestigious provenance, this lovely 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Tourer would be a wonderful companion for RROC and CCCA events, always demonstrating the discriminating judgement of its owner and the elegance of an era long gone.