Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

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Rolls-Royce – Sports Phantom Prototype (1928)

Details

Vehicle Type:
Experimental
Coach Builder:
Jarvis of Wimbledon
Cylinders:
6
Engine CC:
7668
Entrant
Alexander Schaufler (AT)

Classe C

Rolls-Royce - Sports Phantom 17EX
Classe C28

Between 1926 and 1928, Henry Royce launched the construction of three fast and athletic experimental vehicles based on the flagship Phantom I, which were intended to finally establish Rolls-Royce also as a manufacturer of sports and racing cars. Henry Royce wanted to square up to his competitor Bentley, which had run in one racing victory after another. The first goal was to break through the magical barrier of 100 miles an hour. Jarvis of Wimbledon was selected as the coachbuilder for the car known as 17 EX because Jarvis had bodied the world-record cars driven by Sir Malcolm Campbell known as “Blue Bird”. Rolls-Royce wanted to present 17 EX with its sublime experimental sports body in precisely this colour – “Sax Blue”. The colour of the external livery was also used to style the interior, a complete novelty. The drivetrain was optimised and displace- ment was increased to almost 7.8 litres After a plethora of tests and trial runs, the sports car was delivered to India on 22nd December 1928 to Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir, just 33 years old. It was the only one of the three experimental cars to have been sold without modification to a client. Until 1976, the unique one of one remained with two further Maharajas in India. Today, this Sports Phantom is presented in incomparable original, authentic condition right down to its special shade of blue. Restoration was undertaken based on the strict instruction by Henry Royce not to carry out any modifications whatsoever. This magisterial, multiple award-winning Rolls-Royce luxury sports car has been in the collection of its current owner since 2009.

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