Rolls Royce Lot n° 1

1926 Rolls Royce Phantom (Hooper & co.) chassis no. TC96, engine no. DI65 • The first of all Phantom series. • The height of pre-war luxury. • ASI Targa Oro homologated. • Former Quattroruote museum. • Conservative restoration. The Rolls-Royce Phantom was created to replace the Silver Ghost as a 40/50 hp model. The category was referring to the tax horsepower, an early system of taxation rates for automobiles. The rating was computed by a mathematical formula based on cylinder dimensions. At the beginning of the century, tax power was reasonably close to real power. Introduced as the New Phantom in 1925, the model featured a larger engine and overhead valves. It was built in Derby, England, and Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. The Phantom was replaced by the Phantom II in 1929. The Phantom I designation was not used by Rolls-Royce but was later developed by enthusiasts to distinguish it from the other generations of the model. Only the chassis and mechanical parts were produced by Rolls-Royce, the body was made by coachbuilders, such as Hooper, chosen by the buyers. There were 2,269 Phantoms made in the UK. This internally driven Hopper model has been part of the Quattroruote museum for a long time and, as such, was published in the first issues of Ruoteclassiche; then it was for over twenty years with the same, current, owner. It participated in the Etna Raid in 2005. Over time, the car has undergone conservative restoration work. The interiors are in gray cloth for the passengers and in black imitation leather for the driver. Fitted with vintage tyres. The car has stood still for a long time, it drives but a tune-up and a service are recommended. ASI Targa Oro homologated.