Chassis No. S449MR Engine No. 22499 This Phantom I was ordered new by John Barry Ryan, the son and co-heir of his father, Thomas Fortune Ryan’s $140 million estate, for the lavish price of $21,750, or nearly $450,000 today. Referred to as a “Springfield car” by enthusiasts, the chassis was built in Rolls-Royce's Massachusetts factory and sent to Long Island City, New York, where Brewster & Company clothed the chassis with an elegant Marlborough Town Car body. Out of the ten Marlborough bodies built by Brewster, this car is believed to be the only example fitted with the distinctive folding landaulet roof. Build records from the Rolls-Royce Foundation (RRF) note that the car was finished in Black and Carmine Lake and specified to " paint all lamps, radiator, windshield, mirrorscope, top irons, at my convenience." It is believed that instead of paint, they were ultimately finished with striking gold plating, resulting in a bold and luxurious contrast against the rich, dark body colors. After Ryan, the RRF documents a known chain of owners from the 1950s through its reported purchase by Kentucky coal miner Claude Shelton Canada in 1975, when it was added to his expansive collection, which included 21 Rolls-Royces. After Canada, the Phantom I was acquired by noted collector Robert Pond of California, who was an ideal caretaker for the Rolls-Royce, maintaining it as if it were one of his many airplanes. The car made several Hollywood appearances, including in 1974’s Paramount Presents with Gloria Swanson and during the Miss USA 1984 pageant with the Puttin' on the Ritz dance routine. After his passing in 2007, the entire Pond Collection was sold to a single buyer, where the Phantom resided until 2014. Purchased by its current caretaker in 2020, the striking Town Car Landaulet visited Nostalgic Motoring Ltd. of Auburn Hills, Michigan, for an extensive refurbishment that included mechanical, electrical, cosmetic, and upholstery work. The rear passenger compartment was retrimmed with a new headliner and wool seat upholstery, while fresh, dark crimson leather was specified for the driver's seat. Mechanical work included engine tuning, and servicing the fuel, ignition, brake, and chassis lubrication systems. A new wiring harness was additionally installed. When this stunning Phantom was completed in December 2021, the total sum invested in the restoration was nearly $210,000. A complete and detailed accounting of the work is available for review in the digital history file. As presented today, this elegant Brewster Town Car delivers the same striking appearance as originally delivered to John Barry Ryan nearly 95 years ago. Its unmistakable gold accents are as fascinating as the car’s previous owners. With Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation and the likelihood that it is the only Brewster Marlborough Town Car Landaulet ever created, this Rolls-Royce should be warmly welcomed at any of the numerous prestigious international concours events offering its next caretaker both an enviable invitation to the world’s finest gatherings and a rare piece of automotive history to proudly steward.
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- VIN CodeS449MR
