Beschreibung:

Chassis number ‘S163PR’ was the last of several Springfield-built Rolls-Royces ordered by Jacob Gerhard Lang of Buffalo, New York. At Mr Lang’s request this car was delivered with many unusual features, including chromium-plated Buffalo wheels, chromed grille and ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot, Irak wood running boards, Marchal headlamps and nickel-plated interior trim. The Lang family owned, among many other businesses, Lang’s Creamery and the Lang Brewery. During Prohibition, it was widely believed that Lang was involved in major bootlegging operations. This Rolls-Royce remained in Jacob Lang’s possession until his death in 1959, at which time the odometer registered 52,500 miles, most of this distance having been incurred traveling to various horse racetracks in the East and South, including Saratoga and Churchill Downs. During the War, the Phantom was put up on blocks and cared for regularly by Ed Schweitzer, Lang’s lifetime chauffeur. Following Jacob Lang’s death, the Rolls-Royce was auctioned at his estate sale in November 1959 and purchased by Mr. J.F. Brossart, of Orchard Park, New York. Subsequently restored, the car won the Rolls-Royce Trophy at the 1961 Cobleskill meet for its new owner, as well as taking 1st prize, Senior Rolls-Royce at the 11th Grand Classic, Morristown, New Jersey in 1963. When the Morton Brothers, Steve and Frank, purchased the car from Jack Brossart, the odometer showed only 68,000 miles. A total ‘ground upwards’ restoration started in 1978 at Ned and Butch Herman’s Vintage Auto Shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ned was considered the top P-I man in the country, so Vintage did the entire mechanical portion of the restoration while the balance of the project was completed by Mosier Restoration of Inglewood, California. Commitment to originality was total (and relatively easy) as the car had covered so few miles and had never been damaged nor altered in even the slightest way. Original colors and trim were used throughout. Even the original key ring and tag exist today in perfect condition. Starting with the desirable, late PR series and a perfect Brewster body, the Mortons’ goal was to have the finest Phantom I in the country - both mechanically and aesthetically. Some 30 years on, the result still speaks for itself. The Mortons selectively exhibited the car at major West Coast Concours d’Elegence, including Pebble Beach and the National Rolls-Royce Owners Club Meet, never receiving less than 1st in class. The car also won the Lucius Beebe Award, several ‘Best of Show’s and finished runner-up at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegence Trophy in 1980. The Mortons’ last competitive showing of the car was at the CCCA Grand Classic in 1982, where it earned 100 points and the Senior Emeritus Award. The Stovall family - Jim and Barbara - purchased the Lang Phantom in August 1991. At that time the Rolls-Royce was sold as a ‘100-point’ car and it remains in this same condition today, having been maintained regularly by Mosier Restoration. Jim and Barbara Stovall have shown the car at many Concours d’Elegance throughout California, including Newport Beach, Palm Springs, Pebble Beach, Santa Barbara, Hillsborough and Silverado, amassing a host of awards for 1st in Class, Best in Show, Most Elegant, People’s Choice, etc, A complete history and authentication of this car and its unique features has been maintained, including (copy) chassis cards, previous owner correspondence, Lang family press cuttings, (copy) Rolls-Royce service sheets, concours results and all restoration records. This rare and exceptional Phantom I has to be one of the finest Springfield Rolls-Royces offered for sale with such well-documented provenance and relatively low mileage. A ‘100-point’ car maintained regardless of cost, it represents an opportunity to acquire a unique piece of Rolls-Royce Springfield history and a potential outright show winner.