| The Astor Collection Friday, June 27, 2008 - Sunday, June 29, 2008 |
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| 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster | |||||||||
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Est. 120bhp 7,668 cc overhead valve inline six-cylinder engine, three-speed manual transmission, leaf spring solid axle front suspension, longitudinal leaf spring live axle rear suspension, and servo-assisted two-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 146.5" A direct descendent of the Silver Ghost, the Rolls-Royce Phantom I was launched in May 1925. Deaf to his engineers’ pleas, Sir Henry Royce felt that the Silver Ghost chassis was adequately robust and was not persuaded that the company needed an entirely new chassis. Instead, further improvements were made – in essence, a process of careful technical advancement – which reflected Royce’s belief in evolution rather than revolution when it came to improvements. For the most part, the Phantom I chassis was identical to that of the Silver Ghost. It did offer customers two different wheelbase lengths from which to choose: 143.5 inches or the longer 150.5 inches. The Phantom I gearbox was also the same as before, except that the old cone clutch was replaced with a new, single dry plate clutch – more conducive to quieter and smoother operation. Shortly after the launch of the Phantom I, Rolls-Royce established a factory for chassis production in Springfield, Massachusetts. In America, Rolls-Royce had established a strong relationship with New York based coachbuilder, Brewster and Company, and many Silver Ghosts and Phantoms were clothed by this well-respected firm. As a result, when Rolls-Royce purchased the American coachbuilder in 1926, not only was the British company assured of high-quality bodies built to Crewe’s exacting standards, it was also assured of a coachbuilder familiar with Rolls-Royce’s reputation as manufacturer of the world’s best cars. The Rolls-Royce presented here was one such automobile and is believed to have been purchased new by the renowned silent film star and western movie actor Tom Mix. Although the car bore the coachwork of Brewster in Springfield, Massachusetts, it was subsequently sent by Mix to Bohman & Schwartz in Pasadena, where it was modified to his requirements. Among other modifications, the car’s fenders were redesigned and the headlamps were repositioned to sit lower on the car. Additionally, Mix’s roadster received a fog lamp and an in-dash radio, surely one of the earlier such applications. It should be noted that Bohman & Schwartz maintained a strong reputation in the Hollywood community, producing numerous custom creations for such notables as Clark Gable and Barbara Hutton. Unfortunately, the cowboy actor passed away in a car accident in 1940, behind the wheel of his Cord. According to Hal Blaine, the renowned drummer and session musician who eventually purchased the car in 1969, it was his understanding that, after Mix’s death, the car went to Jack Warner, the head of Warner Brothers Studios, who gave the car to the famed actress Bette Davis. Apparently, the car was too large for Davis to handle, so it was returned to Warner and found its way into the Warner Brothers film prop department. Thereafter, it appeared in many films, including Inside Daisy Clover (1965), where it was driven by Robert Redford. It supposedly also appeared in the film Giant and The FBI Story, starring Jimmy Stewart. While working on the John Denver Show, Blaine met and spoke with Robert Redford, whom he told about the yellow Rolls-Royce. After hearing about the pine needles on the floor of the car, which were due to filming that was conducted in the San Bernardino mountains, Redford remarked how fond he was of the car as well. Mr. Blaine was also a member of the Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club and remembers receiving a second place award at a Concours event. Furthermore, the car was also featured in several Thanksgiving weekened Santa Claus Lane Parades in Hollywood. Among the various people who Blaine drove in the parade were the famed Glen Campbell and his family as well as Shirley Jones and The Partridge Family children. Thereafter, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce elected to only use automobiles of the Buick Antique Owners Club. Although its parade days had ended, the car was also featured in 1974 in the Jimmy Webb wedding procession in Ojai, California, where Blaine drove the bride and the bride’s father, screen actor Barry Sullivan. Additionally, the Playboy Roadster was featured in a number of commercials and on the cover of Al Wilson’s hit album. Blaine is regarded as one of the industry’s most prolific and respected drummers and has played on more top selling records than anyone in the rock era, which included over 40 number one hits and over 150 that made the Top Ten. Inducted as member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in March 2000, he has recorded and performed with such legendary entertainers as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand, Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, The Beach Boys, The Monkees and countless other world famous musicians. According to Blaine's own estimate, he has performed on over 35,000 recorded tracks as the percussive backbone of the "Wrecking Crew" - the nickname that younger L.A. studio hands bestowed on themselves after elder studio vets complained these young rock and rollers were "wrecking the business." His autobiography “Hal Blaine and The Wrecking Crew” features a photo of him proudly showing off the well-deserved rewards of his efforts – the Rolls-Royce Playboy Roadster. He eventually sold the car to a friend in the movie industry before it found its way to Palm Springs, where Bay Area collector and enthusiast Bill McClenahan discovered it while on vacation in the early 1980s. McClenahan was apparently quite fond of Westerns and purchased the car after being told it had reportedly belonged to Tom Mix. It was also around this time that the car was featured on the cover of a book entitled Cars: The Old Classics by Andrew Whyte, where it was finished in yellow, as it had been on screen and presumably even earlier. The car’s new owner, however, elected to commission a restoration and had the car repainted in a very attractive white and dove gray livery. Over the years, McClenahan toured the car from time to time. In his ownership it was maintained and freshened, both cosmetically and mechanically, by Bob Potts of Robert Potts Restorations in Burlingame. The Mix Rolls-Royce eventually found its way into the Art Astor Collection, where it has remained ever since and is presented with remarkable clues to its past. The fenders, repositioned headlamps, and fog lamp are all still in place, as is the old radio and Ferranti speaker. In fact, the shift knob displays the letter “M” and the pedals retain their blocks, which were originally installed to compensate for Tom Mix’s short stature. Notably, Mr. Astor displayed the car at the 2006 Art Center Classic in Pasadena, which honored such coachbuilders as Bohman & Schwartz. The car’s condition is highly presentable and consistent with the age of the restoration and the relatively regular exercise it has enjoyed. As such, flaws are only visible upon closer inspection and include the occasional small crack and minor scratch. The same holds true for the brightwork but, as with the paint, it presents very nicely and the radiator shell in particular is very nice. Otherwise, the top and the red leather piping appear to be somewhat older as well and the red leather upholstery displays a lovely patina. A Rolls-Royce plaque referencing St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is flanked by the usual assortment of Rolls-Royce gauges, a Waltham clock, and the aforementioned under-dash radio. As might be expected, the rumble seat is upholstered to match the interior but shows considerably less evidence of use. It should be noted that the engine compartment and undercarriage are very clean and tidy as well – nicely presented and seemingly period correct. Now showing approximately 113,000 miles on its Stewart Warner odometer, this Rolls-Royce is truly a remarkable roadster. Carrying the attractive Playboy bodywork and the unique modifications of its first celebrity owner, this Phantom I has an amazing story and an unbelievably star-studded provenance that spans both the film and music industries of California. As such, it appeals not only to the collector of British automobiles and distinctive coachwork but also to the enthusiast with a passion for American entertainment history. |
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