1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brougham de Ville, Coachwork by Binder of Paris
7,668cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
100bhp at 3,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Rear Cantilever Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes
*Originally Owned by heiress Jessie Woolworth of Woolworth department stores
*A unique French bodied Phantom 1 by Henry Binder
*Known history since new, with factory records
*Delightful understated restoration
*Great car for RROC, or CCCA events
THE PHANTOM 1 ROLLS-ROYCE
Replacing the elegant but aging Silver Ghost chassis was no easy task for Rolls-Royce. The new model which debuted in 1925 was a more than worthy successor. Later named the Phantom I, the new model took Rolls-Royce into the modern mid-twenties era of motoring. The chassis of the Silver Ghost was improved, but not in any revolutionary manner. The design philosophy of the marque remained a careful evolution rather than revolutionary gadgetry.
In total, the revisions demanded a new model name, and the revised chassis was dubbed the New Phantom by the factory, which was later changed to the Phantom I. The biggest innovation was a new inline 7,668cc 6-cylinder engine with an aluminum crankcase and the cylinders cast in three pairs of two. The one-piece, detachable cylinder head featured pushrod-actuated overhead-valves for much improved breathing compared to the old Silver Ghost power plant.
New Phantom production began at Derby, England in 1925 and the following year in the Springfield, Massachusetts plant, owned by Rolls-Royce. By the time Phantom I production ended in 1931 at Springfield, about 1,240 Phantom I chassis had been built.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
According to Rolls-Royce factory records and build sheets, this particular Phantom I was sold to its first owner Mr. James Donahue of New York City. Mr. Donahue was a very wealthy business owner and had purchased the car for his wealthier wife Jessie Woolworth, an heiress to the Woolworth department store fortune. Sadly Mr. Donahue took his own life in 1929, leaving his widow to inherit his fortune as well. This unfortunate circumstance made Jessie Donahue Woolworth an incredibly wealthy woman.
As this Phantom I was built for Jessie's demanding tastes, the chassis was sent to noted Parisian coachbuilder, Henry Binder and commissioned this fabulous Brougham de Ville coachwork. It was fitted with the finest accessories including Grabel headlights and carriage lamps. The interior was lavishly appointed with ornate wooden paneling and with the finest broadcloth rear upholstery. Interestingly, the back compartment had no occasional seats and was strictly designed for two adults. The front driver's compartment was left open with a sporty raked back windscreen to enhance the styling. She also had the car painted black with the green striping to match her family's Woolworth stores. To aid with continental motoring, fitted luggage was also ordered for the rear luggage rack.
This car remained in Europe and was used by Jessie on her European holidays. She later had the car shipped back to New York.
In 1934 Jessie Woolworth parted with the car and it was acquired by P. Everett Lockhart of Lockhart International in New York City. The car is recorded as having several owners in the U.S., until 1953 when it was repatriated to the UK. It would remain there until 1998 when it made the trip back stateside.
In 2004 the "Woolworth Rolls," as it is often referred, was selected by the Peterson Museum for its Century of Elegance exhibit. It has been part of its current owner's collection since 2014.
Finished as it was when owned by Jessie Woolworth in black with dark green striping, this bespoke Phantom 1 is an excellent example of formal bodied Rolls-Royce from the height of the roaring twenties. Phantom Is are a delightful driving experience since they are so well engineered. The steering is very direct and the gearbox is a true user's delight. This particular car would be a welcome participant on Rolls-Royce tours or proudly displayed on any concours field.
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7,668cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
100bhp at 3,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs and Rear Cantilever Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Servo-Assisted Drum Brakes
*Originally Owned by heiress Jessie Woolworth of Woolworth department stores
*A unique French bodied Phantom 1 by Henry Binder
*Known history since new, with factory records
*Delightful understated restoration
*Great car for RROC, or CCCA events
THE PHANTOM 1 ROLLS-ROYCE
Replacing the elegant but aging Silver Ghost chassis was no easy task for Rolls-Royce. The new model which debuted in 1925 was a more than worthy successor. Later named the Phantom I, the new model took Rolls-Royce into the modern mid-twenties era of motoring. The chassis of the Silver Ghost was improved, but not in any revolutionary manner. The design philosophy of the marque remained a careful evolution rather than revolutionary gadgetry.
In total, the revisions demanded a new model name, and the revised chassis was dubbed the New Phantom by the factory, which was later changed to the Phantom I. The biggest innovation was a new inline 7,668cc 6-cylinder engine with an aluminum crankcase and the cylinders cast in three pairs of two. The one-piece, detachable cylinder head featured pushrod-actuated overhead-valves for much improved breathing compared to the old Silver Ghost power plant.
New Phantom production began at Derby, England in 1925 and the following year in the Springfield, Massachusetts plant, owned by Rolls-Royce. By the time Phantom I production ended in 1931 at Springfield, about 1,240 Phantom I chassis had been built.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
According to Rolls-Royce factory records and build sheets, this particular Phantom I was sold to its first owner Mr. James Donahue of New York City. Mr. Donahue was a very wealthy business owner and had purchased the car for his wealthier wife Jessie Woolworth, an heiress to the Woolworth department store fortune. Sadly Mr. Donahue took his own life in 1929, leaving his widow to inherit his fortune as well. This unfortunate circumstance made Jessie Donahue Woolworth an incredibly wealthy woman.
As this Phantom I was built for Jessie's demanding tastes, the chassis was sent to noted Parisian coachbuilder, Henry Binder and commissioned this fabulous Brougham de Ville coachwork. It was fitted with the finest accessories including Grabel headlights and carriage lamps. The interior was lavishly appointed with ornate wooden paneling and with the finest broadcloth rear upholstery. Interestingly, the back compartment had no occasional seats and was strictly designed for two adults. The front driver's compartment was left open with a sporty raked back windscreen to enhance the styling. She also had the car painted black with the green striping to match her family's Woolworth stores. To aid with continental motoring, fitted luggage was also ordered for the rear luggage rack.
This car remained in Europe and was used by Jessie on her European holidays. She later had the car shipped back to New York.
In 1934 Jessie Woolworth parted with the car and it was acquired by P. Everett Lockhart of Lockhart International in New York City. The car is recorded as having several owners in the U.S., until 1953 when it was repatriated to the UK. It would remain there until 1998 when it made the trip back stateside.
In 2004 the "Woolworth Rolls," as it is often referred, was selected by the Peterson Museum for its Century of Elegance exhibit. It has been part of its current owner's collection since 2014.
Finished as it was when owned by Jessie Woolworth in black with dark green striping, this bespoke Phantom 1 is an excellent example of formal bodied Rolls-Royce from the height of the roaring twenties. Phantom Is are a delightful driving experience since they are so well engineered. The steering is very direct and the gearbox is a true user's delight. This particular car would be a welcome participant on Rolls-Royce tours or proudly displayed on any concours field.
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