1930 | Rolls-Royce Phantom I Hibbard & Darrin

1930 Rolls Royce Phantom 1 Imperial Sedanca Faux Cabriolet For Sale
Chassis number: 79OR
Registration Number: Ohio USA DY86
The chassis was completed in 1930 at the Derby, England Rolls-Royce plant. The chassis was then sent to Hibbard & Darrin who were located in Paris, France. Consequently the car bears a French export chassis plate to the bulkhead. The chassis cost $16,650 while the body cost $9,985 bringing the total to $26,635. The completed car was then delivered to Italy where it resided with Princess Pageteli.
Hibbard & Darrin used the Sylentlyte technique, which formed vehicle body structures from cast aluminum rather than wood, and created the Phantom I Sedanca Imperial False Cabriolet styling for Rolls Phantom 1 chassis 79OR.
The car is resplendent in mid blue with a cream bonnet top & beige farbric roof covering all in excellent order. Being a sedanca the front roof setion rolls up & furls into a storage compartment behind the drivers head. The wire wheels are similarly painted in cream giving the car a very striking appearance. A rear Beige luggage trunk keeps the proprotions pleasing to the eye.
Stephen Grebel Headlamps are mounted up front & twin side mount spares are on the running boards. This car benefits from an extensively documented history including service records, manuals, and a build sheet of the car. The car was restored in 1970 in america by John Griffin, who “was responsible for the expert restoration of other fantastic and rare Roll-Royce vehicles and his expertise shows in this car as well.”
As a whole the car is very very smart & presents nicely. The engine starts readily & runs in silence with good power in all gears. The slightly slipping clutch is due to be replaced prior to sale along with a service & set up being performed by a marque expert.
To the front is black leather in very good order along with a lovely timber dash adorned with the appropriate instrumentation. The rear seats are grey cloth that extends also to the roof.
All in all this is a very fine machine with desirable. striking & unusual coach work of a very fine quality. Lack of wear to the various controls would indicate a quite low mile chassis & it certainly drives like it. It makes a refreshing change to the more prosaic UK offerings of the period.
We will UK register the car for the next owner if it is to stay in the UK.