Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1

Thursday 4th December 2008

The new Rolls-Royce Phantom took over from the Silver Ghost in 1925, though the latter continued to survive as an alternative for some while. There was no great difference in the two cars other than the engine, the new chassis followed the lines of the old. The Phantom I was the shortest lived of all Rolls-Royce models, but was very well received at the time. The new 7,668cc engine led The Autocar to report in May 1925 "that the much improved acceleration and maximum speed of 80mph has not been brought about at the expense of the traditional Rolls-Royce silence and smoothness". Braking, steering and suspension were described as being above reproach.

A complete car weighed just under three tons unladen, despite which the top speed was not exceeded by many luxury cars of the day. Some 2,200 chassis were built in t