Rolls-Royce Phantom I
1925-1931 · Rolls-Royce Phantom I — Luxury Saloon, Inline-6, designed by Henry Royce.
The Story
Launched in May 1925 as the ‘New Phantom,’ the Phantom I replaced the 40/50 hp – which from then on was known as the Silver Ghost. It kept its predecessor’s chassis philosophy but gained a new 7.7-litre overhead-valve straight-six for more effortless performance. Uniquely, it was built in two countries: at Derby in England and at Rolls-Royce’s American factory in Springfield, Massachusetts.
As a coachbuilt chassis, the Phantom I was clothed by the world’s great body-makers – Hooper, Barker, Mulliner and others – producing some of the most extravagant cars of the Jazz Age. None is more famous than the one-off aerodynamic ‘Round Door’ coupe rebodied by Jonckheere of Belgium, today regarded as one of the rarest Rolls-Royces in existence.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Luxury Saloon class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Henry Royce
Co-founder of Rolls-Royce (1904, with the Hon. Charles Rolls) and its engineering soul. He designed the Silver Ghost and the great Phantom chassis; his final design was the Phantom III V12, completed after his 1933 death. His engineering ethos also shaped the RR aero engines.
Studio Motors POV
The Phantom I is Jazz-Age coachbuilding at its most flamboyant – buy the body and the history, not the chassis number.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce Phantom OHV Straight-Six (7.7L)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Phantom I
Worth Knowing About the Phantom I
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) It was built in two countries – Derby (UK) and Springfield, Massachusetts (USA), where around 1,240 'New Phantoms' were assembled. 2) It originally launched simply as the 'New Phantom'; the 'I' was applied retroactively once the Phantom II arrived in 1929. 3) Its most famous example is the one-off, aerodynamic 'Round Door' Jonckheere coupe (rebodied c.1934), now in the Petersen Museum.
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 7.7L OHV straight-six. 2) ~3,514 built (Derby + Springfield), 1925-1931. 3) Replaced the Silver Ghost. 4) Springfield cars used 3-speed gearboxes; Derby cars 4-speed. 5) Coachbuilt – bodies by Hooper, Barker, Mulliner, Jonckheere and more.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
The one-off ‘Round Door’ Jonckheere Phantom I is now in the Petersen Automotive Museum; first delivered (as a Hooper Cabriolet) to Mrs Hugh Dillman of Detroit. FLAG: a Duke of Windsor connection is often repeated but is reputed, not confirmed. Broadly favoured by 1920s-30s royalty, maharajas and Hollywood.
Studio Buyer’s Brief
Everything rides on coachwork and history – a sporting open tourer or a celebrated coachbuilder’s body is worth multiples of a staid saloon. Springfield (US) cars are mechanically distinct. Concours-grade, expert-only territory.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I
- Class
- Luxury Saloon
- Production years
- 1925-1931
- Units built
- ~3,514 (2,271 Derby + 1,243 Springfield)
- Variants
- Springfield (US-built); coachbuilt bodies
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- Inline-6
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce Phantom OHV Straight-Six (7.7L)
- Displacement
- 7.7L (7,668 cc)
- Power
- 108 hp
- Torque
- lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- s
- Top speed
- 85 mph
- Power-to-weight
- hp/tonne · lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual (Derby); 3-speed (Springfield)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- lb
Questions
Phantom I FAQ
What engine does the Rolls-Royce Phantom I have?
The Phantom I uses a 7.7-litre overhead-valve straight-six producing approximately 108 bhp, a significant step forward from the Silver Ghost’s side-valve unit in both power and refinement.
Where was the Rolls-Royce Phantom I manufactured?
The Phantom I was built in two countries: at Derby in England (2,269 cars) and at Rolls-Royce’s factory in Springfield, Massachusetts (1,243 cars), for a total of 3,512.
How many Rolls-Royce Phantom Is were built?
Approximately 3,512 Phantom I / ‘New Phantom’ cars were produced between 1925 and 1931 across the Derby and Springfield factories combined.
How much is a Rolls-Royce Phantom I worth today?
Rolls-Royce Phantom Is typically sell for $150,000 to $600,000 at auction, with exceptional coachbuilt examples commanding considerably more. Bonhams and RM Sotheby’s regularly handle Phantom I sales.
What is the famous Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere coupe?
The Jonckheere Phantom I is a one-off streamlined coupe originally delivered to Mrs Hugh Dillman and later rebodied by Henri Jonckheere of Belgium around 1934. Its signature feature is the unusual round side doors. It is now displayed at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Phantom I ’25Phantom II ’29
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
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