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January 28th 2005
Shannons Insurance Media Release

Collectable 'Twins'

Apart from their six cylinder engines, three speed manual gearboxes and some white paintwork, two cars being auctioned by Shannons in Sydney on Monday February 7 appear to have almost nothing else in common.

The imposing white 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom 1 Tourer might have purred out of ‘The Great Gatsby’, while the two-tone, fully-optioned one-family owned 1958 Holden FC Special Sedan could have rolled straight off the set of the Sullivans.

Yet to vintage and classic enthusiasts, they could be twins. Both offer a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to join the burgeoning vintage and classic movement with ready-to-use vehicles priced well below their replacement cost.

Introduced in 1925 with a new overhead-valve six-cylinder engine, the New Phantom Rolls-Royce replaced the legendary 40/50hp Silver Ghost and arguably became one of the world’s finest automobiles, with just 2258 built.

Factory records indicate that chassis 59OR was one of the final batch of New Phantom’s completed and was delivered in 1929 fitted with a landaulette body by British coachbuilder Hooper.

After arriving in Australia, the Rolls-Royce was restored in 1984 and now wears a well-executed open tourer body, appropriately finished in ‘Gatsby’ white.

Most experts agree the New Phantom is markedly undervalued at present, being a better car in many respects than the more fancied Silver Ghost but without some of the compromises that crept into the design and construction of subsequent models. Shannons expecting bidding in the $80,000-$95,000 range.

Like the New Phantom, the FC Holden introduced in 1958 was a significant refinement of its predecessor – in this case the FE Holden - which apart from its second generation more angular styling, carried over most of the original FX/FJ ‘humpy’ Holden mechanicals.

Cosmetic differences included a new grille and brightwork and worked over dashboard to allow the inclusion of the new-technology transistor radio, but the FC wore most of its changes under its skin.

Increased compression ratio, a new camshaft profile for smoother running and minor suspension changes, made the FC a much more pleasant car to drive, with 191,724 being made before production ceased in January 1960.

This immaculate FC was delivered new through Muirs Motors of Ryde on December 17, 1958 and has remained in the one family ever since.

Now owned by the niece of the original purchaser, the car has covered just 55,066 genuine miles and has been carefully maintained all its life.

It is fitted with a number of desirable period options, including a rear Venetian blind, driver’s side window wind deflector and an Air Chief radio, while its body wears the original two-tone colour combination of India Ivory on Empress Maroon introduced for the first time on the FC range.

Unlike the New Phantom, the FC Holden will be sold unreserved to the highest bidder, with Shannons National Auction Manager Christophe Boribon estimating bids in the $7,000-$12,000 range.