This 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster is a rare and highly desirable example of American coachbuilt Rolls-Royce history, featuring a 7.7-liter overhead-valve inline-six, three-speed manual transmission, and mechanically actuated four-wheel drum brakes with servo assistance. Chassis S106PM is one of approximately 13 Phantom I chassis thought to have been fitted with Playboy roadster coachwork. Originally built as a Tilbury sedan, the car was sent to Brewster & Co. in Long Island, New York, in 1930 for the installation of its current roadster body. It later became part of the Gores family in 1952 and remained in their care for 74 years.
The Phantom I was introduced in 1925 as the successor to the Silver Ghost and was produced at Rolls-Royce’s American factory in Springfield, Massachusetts, through 1931. This example has a fascinating history that includes wartime airfield construction trips to Alaska, decades of family ownership, and a comprehensive refurbishment by Automotive Restorations Inc. in Stratford, Connecticut, during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The work included repairs to the aluminum bodywork and wood framework, a repaint in Sapphire Blue, the return to 1927-style fittings, an engine overhaul, and a custom exhaust system. Further repairs were completed in 2017.
Finished in Sapphire Blue over blue leather upholstery, the Phantom features a beige convertible top with blue piping, running boards, adjustable radiator shutters, a Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, drum-style headlights, and re-plated brightwork. The blue-painted 21-inch wire wheels are fitted with 7.00-21 Lester tires, while dual side-mounted spares and a folding rear luggage rack with trunk provide additional touring practicality. The left-hand-drive cabin features blue leather bench-seat and rumble-seat upholstery, black floor mats with blue piping, roll-up windows, and a wood dashboard housing a Warner drum-style speedometer, Chelsea eight-day clock, and period gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 57,000 miles.
This Phantom is accompanied by extensive historical documentation, including correspondence from Landis Gores, photographs, refurbishment invoices, registration records, and awards from concours events. Honors include the Skip’s Sunday Best award at the 2016 Lime Rock Sunday in the Park Concours, the Award of Timeless Elegance at the 2017 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, and class awards at the 2022 and 2023 Audrain Concours d’Elegance and 2024 Greenwich Concours.
This 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Playboy Roadster is an exceptional combination of rare Brewster coachwork, extensive family ownership, concours history, and restoration by Automotive Restorations Inc. Its elegant proportions and sporting roadster configuration make it an ideal choice for touring, concours events, or enjoying one of the most charismatic prewar Rolls-Royce automobiles.
