Getting the Most Out of Your Car

The Allen Swift 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I Picadilly Roadster

Mr. Allen Swift knew how to take care of a car. He drove the same one from 1928 until his death at 102 years old in 2005. This is the longest car ownership we have ever heard of and we think must be the world record. When he died, he left the car to the Springfield History Museum, along with $1 million to buy a new building. Shows what you can do if you save your money instead of buying a new car!

Allen Swift and his 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I

The car itself, even without its special history, is an amazing vehicle. It is a Rolls Royce Phantom I Picadilly Roadster, serial number S273 FP. It is one of the few Rolls Royces made in the USA in Springfield Massachusetts between 1921 and 1931, a "Springfield Rolls,"

Brewster Body manufacturing plate from Swift's Rolls Royce

Swift drove the car for over 80 years and museum directors say that it still runs well and very quietly after 170 thousand miles. In later years it mainly did parade duty. The car was originally a gift from Swift's father in return for giving up college to stay with the family business.

Allen Swift and the Rolls Royce P1 Picadillly he owned from new

The car was repainted in 1988 by Automotive Restorations, Inc. and Swift, already 85, drove it home with the top down.