Top Honors
This 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster by Brewster garnered a Best in Show trophy at this year's Lime Rock Sunday in The Park Show.
“Quality will be remembered long after the price has been forgotten”
These famous words uttered by founder Henry Royce define the ethos behind the stout engineering of the company’s early creations. Development and construction of a pre-war Rolls-Royce automobile involved continual testing and attention to detail well beyond the standards found elsewhere in the industry at the time. The firm placed representatives within the Sheffield iron works to remain vigilant for any imperfections, and chassis were tested on a bump-rig that would dismantle any other automobile in a matter of minutes. A Rolls-Royce was to withstand this durability test indefinitely.
World War I provided Rolls-Royce automobiles the opportunity to fully display their abilities, with armored variants double the weight of their road counterparts rarely experiencing overheating issues even in the desert with a bullet-resistant shield covering the radiator. It was said that to keep a Rolls-Royce running forever, one simply needed gas and tires.
With a healthy post-war market in North American and a desire to circumvent import tariffs, the company established Roll-Royce of America, Inc. in Springfield, Massachusetts after purchasing the plant which formerly housed the American Wire Wheel company. The first automobiles rolled out of the factory in 1921 and continued for a decade before the depression sealed the fate of the brand’s Stateside effort.
Despite this short run, just under 3,000 cars rolled out of the factory in this time. Between the Silver Ghost and Phantom model, the company sold to distinguished clientele including President Woodrow Wilson and the famous Guggenheim and Bloomingdale families. Additionally, the increased North American presence allowed coachbuilders like Willoughby, Merrimac, and Holbrook the opportunity to place their work atop the Roll-Royce chassis.
One of coachbuilding’s crown jewels, Brewster & Company began their relationship with Rolls-Royce in 1914 when it became the sales agents for the firm in addition to the main body supplier for cars sent to the United States. After attempting to market their own car with little success, Rolls-Royce acquired the coachbuilder outright in 1925. The reinforced relationship allowed Rolls-Royce to market a number of standardized bodies to their clients in their showrooms which further increased the speed at which cars were delivered and lowered the price. Covering the wide variety of styles available, these bodies were named after various towns in England like the Derby Touring Sedan or Huntington Limousine. Remarkably, chassis were completed in Springfield, fitted with temporary seats, and driven to the Brewster Building located in Queensboro Plaza, New York.
Today, these Brewster-bodied, Springfield-constructed Rolls-Royces are coveted by devotees of the brand thanks to their immense style and historical significance.
A SIMPLY STUNNING SPEEDSTER
The 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster is a particularly spectacular example of Brewster’s skill. The design is rakish yet dignified, with thoughtful details contributing to a breathtaking, balanced whole; the fenders in particular present a sporty appearance, with the rear pair kicking up at the tips. Five examples are known to have been built, of which only four remain.
Top Honors
This 1929 Rolls Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster by Brewster garnered a Best in Show trophy at this year's Lime Rock Sunday in The Park Show.
“Quality will be remembered long after the price has been forgotten”
These famous words uttered by founder Henry Royce define the ethos behind the stout engineering of the company’s early creations. Development and construction of a pre-war Rolls-Royce automobile involved continual testing and attention to detail well beyond the standards found elsewhere in the industry at the time. The firm placed representatives within the Sheffield iron works to remain vigilant for any imperfections, and chassis were tested on a bump-rig that would dismantle any other automobile in a matter of minutes. A Rolls-Royce was to withstand this durability test indefinitely.
World War I provided Rolls-Royce automobiles the opportunity to fully display their abilities, with armored variants double the weight of their road counterparts rarely experiencing overheating issues even in the desert with a bullet-resistant shield covering the radiator. It was said that to keep a Rolls-Royce running forever, one simply needed gas and tires.
With a healthy post-war market in North American and a desire to circumvent import tariffs, the company established Roll-Royce of America, Inc. in Springfield, Massachusetts after purchasing the plant which formerly housed the American Wire Wheel company. The first automobiles rolled out of the factory in 1921 and continued for a decade before the depression sealed the fate of the brand’s Stateside effort.
Despite this short run, just under 3,000 cars rolled out of the factory in this time. Between the Silver Ghost and Phantom model, the company sold to distinguished clientele including President Woodrow Wilson and the famous Guggenheim and Bloomingdale families. Additionally, the increased North American presence allowed coachbuilders like Willoughby, Merrimac, and Holbrook the opportunity to place their work atop the Roll-Royce chassis.
One of coachbuilding’s crown jewels, Brewster & Company began their relationship with Rolls-Royce in 1914 when it became the sales agents for the firm in addition to the main body supplier for cars sent to the United States. After attempting to market their own car with little success, Rolls-Royce acquired the coachbuilder outright in 1925. The reinforced relationship allowed Rolls-Royce to market a number of standardized bodies to their clients in their showrooms which further increased the speed at which cars were delivered and lowered the price. Covering the wide variety of styles available, these bodies were named after various towns in England like the Derby Touring Sedan or Huntington Limousine. Remarkably, chassis were completed in Springfield, fitted with temporary seats, and driven to the Brewster Building located in Queensboro Plaza, New York.
Today, these Brewster-bodied, Springfield-constructed Rolls-Royces are coveted by devotees of the brand thanks to their immense style and historical significance.
A SIMPLY STUNNING SPEEDSTER
The 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster is a particularly spectacular example of Brewster’s skill. The design is rakish yet dignified, with thoughtful details contributing to a breathtaking, balanced whole; the fenders in particular present a sporty appearance, with the rear pair kicking up at the tips. Five examples are known to have been built, of which only four remain.