The 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Jonckheere Coupe comes across as the most memorable Rolls-Royce of all time. It makes most other car Rolls-Royces’ look obsolete by its sheer size and stature. The Jonckheere Coupe has an imposing length and menacing curves. Its oversize grill makes most other cars look old-fashioned and boring.
The remarkable car which came during the art Deco movement of the 1930s had a modern style and mathematical geometric shapes contemporary of its time. Because of its circular doors the car is also known as the “The Round Door Rolls”. The design which originated in the Rolls-Royce factory in Great Britain was shipped to Belgium where it reached Henri Jonckheere who along with his sin was renowned in entire Europe for making car and bus bodies.
The Jonckheeres made an extravagant body which eventually won the ‘Prix de Cannes’ award. The car has oval doors and sliding left and right vents. It also happens to be the only few Phantom I which had modified grill. Max Obie restored the car with silk headliner and seats that could be folded into beds.
After being resurrected the car was sold at an auction in the 1980s and was procured by a Japanese collector who retained it for 20 years. The car eventually came back to U.S. in pieces and Tired Iron works in California were assigned the task of putting the pieces together.
At the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours, it won the Lucius Beebe Trophy for the finest Rolls-Royce along with the hearts of many a people. The car has also been spotted at various other Concours events like Measowbrook and Ameila Island.
