Rolls-Royce 40/50 Phantom 1926
General description :
1926 Rolls-Royce Phantom I All-Weather Cabriolet by Barker This beautiful Phantom I represents a brilliant statement of what the collaboration of an automobile builder, a styling house and its client could achieve, particularly when money was no object. In this case that was certainly true, the client being an extremely interesting character, Alfred Loewenstein, a financier of Belgian origins who made his fortune with pioneering investments including in electric power and faux silk manufacturing. Sources state that he was the third wealthiest man in the world in this era. Loewenstein's Barker Rolls-Royce is one of their brilliant fully convertible all-seasons cars, which as for carriages were termed Cabriolets. Technically quite complicated and yet beautifully engineered it provided its owner with a series of configurations, be it fully enclosed with wind up windows, an open Sedanca de Ville option with the chauffeur publicly on display and the passengers hidden, or to take advantage of sunny days, perhaps at the horse races, the entire top collapses opening all passengers to the day.When Mr. Loewenstein took delivery of the car in 1926 he would have been at the height of his success, and yet he had his detractors also, such that when he died in what can be termed as an aircraft accident, many would call foul play. The morning after Independence Day 1928, readers of The New York Times would learn of his bizarre passing in this way - "Capt. A.Lowenstein falls from plane; drowning in sea; Belgian Financier Was Crossing the English Channel on his Way to Brussels. Opened the wrong door. Accident Is Not Discovered Till the Aircraft Nearly Reaches Its Destination. Known as 'Mystery Man'. Offered $50,000,000 Loan to His Country Without Interest --Narrowly Escaped Death Here. Made Big Fortune Swiftly. Planned to Return Here in Fall." The somewhat odd circumstances were that he disappeared while crossing the modest void of the English Channel in his own private Fokker trimotor plane, with rumors ranging from an absent-minded incident of his opening the wrong door when attempting to find the bathroom and plunging to his death (!), to someone ensuring that he vacated the plane under duress. The perpetrators are suggested as mobsters or even members of his family. Whatever the cause, the result was that his news of his passing spooked the markets for his various ventures immediately.Lowenstein's Rolls survives some 95 years later owing to its careful preservation and sensitive restoration in a series of sympathetic ownerships. It arrived in the USA in the 1960s, spending a long time with Californian owners, including time with a Dick Lyon of Balboa. Mr Lyon knew the immediate former owner Charles Gillet very well having served in the Navy with him, and Gillet had long admired the car. Ultimately, he was able to make a takeover bid for it in the late 1980s.The Rolls moved East into Gillet's collection and would be restored early on in his ownership, returning briefly to California for the work to be carried out by White Post Restorations. On its completion it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1991, a big year for the marque, with their National taking place on the Peninsula. There on the 18th Fairway it secured the Lucius Beebe Trophy and would follow this up with AACA Grand National First Prize and CCCA Premier Awards. Even to this day as a 30 plus year old restoration it continues to display well. The previous owner acquired the car from Mr. Gillet's estate a few years ago, joining a diverse stable of collectors' cars. A mechanically strong driver, the car currently runs and drives excellent. One of the most luxurious of its time, the car has always been cherished and would grace any collection, while its fascinating ownership provenance will always be something worth regaling.1926 Rolls Royce Phantom I All-Weather CabrioletCoachwork by Barker & Co. CoachbuildersChassis no. 30TCEngine no. UT65Ordered new by Capt. Alfred Lowenstein once the 3rd richest man in the worldAn exceptionally high quality fully convertible Rolls-RoyceLong term care in the custody of the late Charles GilletOffered with copies of factory recordsMechanically Strong Driver
1926 Rolls-Royce 40/50 Phantom is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in New York by Gullwing Motor Cars for $225000.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Rolls-Royce Model : 40/50 Phantom Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1926 Location : Astoria Vehicle Registration : Undefined
225000 $
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About Rolls-Royce
Well, ladies and gentlemen, today we're diving into the illustrious history of a brand that has always embodied the very essence of British luxury and craftsmanship - Rolls-Royce.Our story begins at the turn of the 20th century when two visionaries, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, decided to join forces. In 1904, the very first Rolls-Royce was born, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp. It was a modest start for a company that would go on to redefine automotive excellence.
But it wasn't until 1907 that Rolls-Royce truly made its mark with the introduction of the Silver Ghost. It was hailed as the "Best Car in the World" and set the gold standard for luxury motoring. With its whisper-quiet engine and exquisite craftsmanship, it was a statement of opulence and refinement.
The 1920s brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom I, an icon of its time. It was the first Rolls-Royce to feature a 6-cylinder engine and set the stage for the legendary Phantom line. This was the era when the Maharajas of India commissioned custom-bodied Rolls-Royces that were nothing short of automotive palaces.
Fast forward to the post-war years, and we have the Silver Cloud, a symbol of post-war British optimism. The Silver Cloud was elegance personified, with its flowing lines and handcrafted interiors. It was the choice of royalty, celebrities, and captains of industry.
But if we're talking about the epitome of Rolls-Royce luxury, it's the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which graced us with its presence from 1968 to 1991. This was a car that made the statement that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it." Customization was the name of the game, and the Phantom VI was a canvas for the world's wealthiest to express their unique tastes.
Now, it's impossible to discuss Rolls-Royce without mentioning the Rolls-Royce Corniche. Produced from 1971 to 1995, it was a convertible and coupe version of the Silver Shadow. The Corniche was the quintessential grand tourer, a car for those who wished to traverse continents in absolute luxury.
But, alas, even the mightiest must face their decline, and Rolls-Royce was no exception. The company went through financial turmoil in the 1970s and 80s, leading to the takeover by Vickers plc. Then came the controversial BMW and Volkswagen ownership period, which divided enthusiasts.
Rolls-Royce regained its footing under BMW ownership, and the new millennium brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, a return to the company's roots of uncompromising luxury. The Phantom VII was a testament to British engineering and craftsmanship.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, brings us to today. Rolls-Royce continues to produce some of the most opulent, bespoke vehicles on the planet, a symbol of British imperiousness that has not waned with time. The spirit of Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls lives on in every car that bears the Spirit of Ecstasy, a testament to the enduring legacy of British automotive excellence.