The Springfield Phantom I provided the American Rolls-Royce customer with a chassis tailored to stateside driving conditions, featuring left-hand steering placement, a three-speed gearbox and the Bijur centralized chassis lubrication system. Among the 1,243 chassis built, the final PR series benefited from additional improvements including aluminum cylinder heads and thermostatically-controlled radiator shutters. This example, chassis S188PR, was among the last cars built at the Springfield Works and was one of 10 fitted with spectacular Riviera town car coachwork by Brewster.

Brewster’s well-earned reputation for quality, innovation, and style was the ideal complement to the Rolls-Royce chassis and the coachbuilding firm was acquired by Rolls-Royce of America in October 1925. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of Springfield Phantom Is were equipped with Brewster coachwork. Brewster offered a wide array of body styles to the discerning Rolls-Royce customer, the most formal of which were its town car designs. Among those, Brewster’s Riviera town car is unquestionably the most attractive, cleverly combining sporting and formal design elements. Noted Rolls-Royce authority John Webb De Campi succinctly described the Riviera as “One of Brewster’s most striking styles. From the front seat forward it looked like a sporty Ascot tourer with an elegant brougham attached behind.”

A close examination confirms that assessment. The hood and cowl blend perfectly with the front doors, which are free of ornamentation, including any exterior door hardware. The delicate windshield, with its slightly angled rake, suggests sportiness and can be lowered completely for an even more rakish appearance. The rear half of the body speaks formality, beginning with dual coach lamps, a more upright passenger compartment and rear-hinged doors. The passenger compartment provides privacy for its occupants, courtesy of the blind, rear quarter-panels, which are fitted with decorative landau irons on the exterior.

Alfred Cleveland Blumenthal was reportedly the first owner of S188PR, taking delivery of the car on February 1, 1932, at his address at the Hotel Ambassador in midtown Manhattan. Blumenthal was a real estate developer and theatrical promoter, married to Ziegfeld Follies actress Peggy Fears. By 1953, S188PR was owned by John Eliot Holt of Hampton, Connecticut at which time the chassis was fitted with a Brewster Kenilworth sedan body. Noted Rolls-Royce enthusiast David G. Domidion of Bernardsville, New Jersey acquired S188PR around 1979 when it joined his collection of more than a dozen Springfield Phantom Is. It then became part of the Imperial Palace Collection in Las Vegas, Nevada, by which time it had once again been fitted with proper Brewster Riviera coachwork.

Its current owner acquired the car in 1998 and embarked on a no-expense-spared restoration which was documented by photographs of the process. Upon completion in 2013, S188PR emerged in a proper period color combination featuring black paintwork accented with delicate straw-colored canework on the rear body and doors. Blackwall tires and black painted wire wheels complete the presentation of restrained elegance, and as a late Phantom I chassis, S188PR features flat-bar bumpers and conical headlamps providing a sleeker appearance. Inside, the elegance continues with elaborate walnut marquetry trim, beige upholstery, fold-down occasional seats, and a sliding glass chauffeur’s division. The chauffeur’s compartment is finished in black leather and comes equipped with a removable tendelet canopy and side curtains. A period accessory trunk is fitted at the rear.

Now configured as when new, S188PR has been used sparingly since restoration and maintained accordingly. This Phantom I Riviera Town Car blends robust Rolls-Royce mechanicals with one of Brewster’s most attractive designs—a superb blend of sportiness and elegance. Exclusive when new, it remains so today with just two other examples listed in the current RROC directory. S188PR exudes grace and sophistication, making it a strong contender for elegance awards at any concours.