Classic Cars
1930 Rolls Royce Phantom visits Jay Leno’s Garage
The 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom, a classic luxury car, made a special appearance on the latest episode of ‘Jay Leno’s Garage.’ This iconic model holds a significant place in the automaker’s history and continues to captivate car enthusiasts with its timeless charm.
Hailing from California’s Nethercutt Collection, this particular 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom is one of the 25 examples featuring bodies crafted by New York coachbuilder Brewster. It boasts a unique town car configuration, characterized by an open cockpit at the front and a closed passenger compartment at the back. Notably, the car’s rear doors are adorned with wicker-like detailing, which required a month-long effort by a dedicated father-and-son team during the restoration process.
Cameron Richards, Vice President of the Nethercutt Collection, highlighted the intricate detailing on the car and drew parallels to modern bespoke builds like the Phantom Syntopia, which showcases a complex iridescent paint job. With a 150-inch wheelbase and a weight of approximately 7,000 pounds, the Phantom is powered by an overhead-valve inline-6 engine producing around 120 hp, mated to a 4-speed manual transmission.
Richards emphasized the historical significance of the 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom, revealing its ties to Hollywood through actress Constance Bennett, who acquired the car in 1936. The car’s journey includes an intriguing anecdote of being lost in a poker game and being rented out as a movie prop at a rate higher than most actors’ earnings at the time.
During the episode, Jay Leno and Cameron Richards discussed the Phantom’s performance, noting its comfortable cruising capabilities while acknowledging its relatively slower pace compared to contemporaneous Duesenbergs. This aligns with Rolls-Royce’s longstanding focus on comfort over speed, although the car’s primitive brakes are deemed inadequate for rapid stops.
The 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom’s appearance on ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’ serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of classic luxury cars and their continued relevance in the modern automotive landscape.
TAGS: Classic Cars, Evergreen, Jay Leno’s Garage, Luxury Cars, Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls-Royce, Videos
