Originally
the car was a 1925 Rolls-Royce Phantom I with a body built in 1934 by
Jonckheere of Belgium. Like all other prewar Rolls-Royce motorcars, this
Phantom I was delivered new in chassis-only form to a coachbuilder. Hooper
& Co. was the chosen body maker and in 1925, the completed vehicle was
delivered with cabriolet coachwork to its first owner, a Mrs. Hugh Dillman of
Detroit. Mrs. Dillman reportedly did not like the car and it appears never to
have left England.
