Last updated on December 16, 2025
Today’s car is a 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster Regent Convertible Coupé, owned by Matt, which I photographed at the 2025 Annual Queen’s English Car Show at Woodley Park in Van Nuys, CA. The car is finished in black with a tan leather interior and rich mahogany wood trim. Under the hood is a 7.7-liter, overhead-valve inline six-cylinder engine producing 120 horsepower, fed by a single Rolls-Royce carburetor. Power is delivered through a 4-speed manual, non-synchronized transmission, paired with a 3.5:1 rear axle ratio. Braking is handled by large, finned mechanical drum brakes at all four corners, utilizing the Rolls-Royce “Girling” rod-operated system with mechanical servo assist driven off the transmission—a system licensed from Hispano-Suiza. The front suspension features a forged I-beam solid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and adjustable friction dampers (either Hartford or Luvax), while the rear rides on a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction shock absorbers.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom I Regent was U.S.-built between 1928 and 1931. Its chassis and mechanical components were manufactured and assembled by Rolls-Royce of America at their Springfield, Massachusetts facility, between 1921 and 1931. The elegant Regent body was crafted by Brewster & Co., a coachbuilder owned by Rolls-Royce of America and located in Long Island City, New York.
Some experts believe that only around 21 Regent Convertible Coupés were ever built, while others estimate the number to be closer to 8 to 12 examples on the Phantom I chassis. Either way, it’s an exceptionally rare car. Each Regent was hand-built, and no two are exactly alike.
This was the last of several Springfield-built Rolls-Royces delivered to Jacob Gerhard Lang of Buffalo, New York. Ordered with many unusual features, the car came equipped with chromium-plated Buffalo wire wheels, a chromed radiator grille and Flying Lady Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, trak wood running boards, Marchal headlamps, and nickel 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 Phantom I remained in Lang’s possession until his death in 1959. At that time, the odometer read 52,500 miles—most of them accumulated on trips to horse racetracks including Saratoga and Churchill Downs. During World War II, the car was placed on blocks but was cared for regularly by Ed Schweitzer, Lang’s lifetime chauffeur.
In 1959, J.F. Brossart of Orchard Park, New York, purchased the car at an estate auction held at Lang’s Creamery Plant at 400 Best Street. By 1961, the car had been restored and went on to win the Rolls-Royce Trophy at Cobleskill, New York. Brossart maintained the car in 97+ point condition until placing it in storage in 1972.
The Morton brothers, Steve and Frank, acquired the car from Brossart with the odometer showing 68,000 miles. In 1978, they commissioned a full ground-up restoration, beginning at Ned and Butch Herman’s Vintage Auto Shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ned Herman was regarded as one of the premier Phantom I experts in the country. Vintage Auto handled the complete mechanical restoration, while the remaining work was completed by Mosier Restoration in Inglewood, California.
The commitment to originality was total and made easier by the car’s low mileage and completely unmodified condition. Original colors and trim were used throughout. Even the original key ring and tag still exist today in perfect condition. Starting with a late-production PR-series chassis and a superb Brewster body, the goal was to create the finest Phantom I in the country—mechanically and aesthetically. Today, chassis S163PR speaks for itself.
The car was selectively shown at major West Coast concours events, including Pebble Beach and the National Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club Meet, never receiving less than First in Class. It has won the Lucius Beebe Trophy, several Best of Show awards, and was runner-up for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Trophy in 1980. Its final competitive appearance was at the CCCA Grand Classic in 1982, where it earned a perfect 100 points and received the Senior Emeritus Award.
A complete ownership and restoration history has been preserved, along with authentication of its original features and documentation of all restoration work. At that time, the odometer read 71,144 miles.
Jim and Barbara Stovall became the proud owners of the Phantom I Regent in August 1991. It remained in 100-point condition under their care, with regular maintenance and detailing performed by our good friend, now-retired Bob Mosier of Mosier Restoration. The Stovalls lovingly cared for the car until May 2007, when it was sold at auction.
The car changed hands at Bonhams, though the buyer was never publicly identified.
After nearly two decades out of view, the car resurfaced in February 2025 and is now in the hands of its new custodian, Matt.
This rare and beautiful car was a real treat to see at The Queen’s English, shown in the Rolls-Royce category. What a perfect example to bring to a Concours d’Elegance, a British or European car show, a car show, or even a casual Cars and Coffee event or just imagine arriving in it for opening night at the Ahmanson Theatre here in Los Angeles!
Thank you for riding along.
Frank
