Rolls-Royce of America, Inc. (1921-1935)
Springfield, Massachusetts
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| This is a Rolls-Royce radiator emblem (1927-1931) mjs Size: 72mm high 41mm wide MM: None |
The Rolls-Royce manufactured in England had been imported into America previously but after the First World War it was announced that the Rolls-Royce would be built in the USA. Rolls-Royce of America, Inc. was established and a factory set up in Springfield, Massachusetts. The first US-built Rolls-Royce appeared in January 1921. This was the 40/50 hp six-cylinder Silver Ghost which was offered until 1928. In December 1925, Rolls-Royce of America acquired the Brewster coach building company with William Brewster becoming a vice-president of Rolls-Royce.
In 1925 the American Rolls-Royce became a left-hand drive automobile. The new six-cylinder Phantom I arrived for the 1927 model year and was a successful product. The Phantom I chassis, which arrived from the UK, were converted to left-hand drive at Springfield and other adjustments made for the US market.
Rolls-Royce sales suffered from the effects of the Great Depression and the company could not afford to tool up for the Phantom II which had been introduced in England in 1929. The Phantom I continued to be built until 1931 and some Phantom II chassis with left-hand drive were imported from England between 1931 and 1934. Rolls-Royce continued to supply the Phantom I for some years assembled from a large stock of parts and cars were factory updated and had replacement parts installed.
In 1934 Rolls-Royce of America changed its name to the Springfield Manufacturing Corporation but the company was bankrupt in 1935.
Emblems
There were three different Rolls-Royce radiator emblems designed especially for use on the American Springfield built Rolls-Royce cars.
The first Springfield built Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cars in 1921 carried a red enamel Roll-Royce radiator emblem with diagonal lines behind the enamel, see example shown below. This Springfield Rolls-Royce radiator emblem is very rare.
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| This is a Rolls-Royce radiator emblem (1921-1925) mjs Size: 72mm high 41mm wide MM: None |
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| Close-up showing diagonal lines behind the enamel |
The Rolls-Royce emblem design was registered as a trademark in 1925 and the Rolls-Royce emblem was changed. The new Rolls-Royce radiator emblem was the same emblem as shown above but with "REGD. U.S. PAT. OFF." inscribed along the bottom edge of the emblem, see example shown below. This Springfield Rolls-Royce radiator emblem is extremely rare.
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| This is a Rolls-Royce radiator emblem (1925-1927) mjs Size: 72mm high 41mm wide MM: None |
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| Close-up showing "REGD. U.S. PAT. OFF." inscription |
A new Rolls-Royce radiator emblem appeared in 1927, which continued in use until the end of assembly of Rolls-Royce cars at Springfield. This Rolls-Royce emblem has vertical lines inscribed behind the enamel and a much clearer "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF." inscription near the bottom of the emblem. This is the red enamel Rolls-Royce radiator emblem shown above at the top of this post and again below. This Rolls-Royce radiator emblem is rare.
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| This is a Rolls-Royce radiator emblem (1927-1931) mjs Size: 72mm high 41mm wide MM: None |
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| Close-up showing vertical lines behind the enamel |
From 1933, Rolls-Royce emblems for cars built in the UK were changed from red to black enamel but Rolls-Royce production at Springfield had stopped in 1931, so no Springfield built Rolls-Royce cars had black enamel radiator emblems.
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| This is a Rolls-Royce Phantom I serial plate (1930) mjs Size: 98mm wide 50mm high |
The following is a rare Springfield built Rolls-Royce chassis tag:
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| This is a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost chassis tag (1923) mjs Size: 38mm diameter |
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