No, this isn’t a very late Halloween story. But it does have a bad ending.

But first a question…

Question: What has the most exclusive car ever built in England got to do with an industrial city in Western Massachusetts?

Answer: Springfield, Massachusetts. It was chosen by Rolls Royce as the only place outside England to build its classic and expensive line of cars.

Now I’m not a classic car buff. The only reason I know this is because my Sister-in-law’s husband restores antique Rolls-Royce cars in Draycott, Gloucestershire, England, and he told me all about it on a recent visit to his shop while on a family vacation.

Now there’s not that many people in the world that can restore these cars, but Alan is an expert. He worked for Rolls Royce in Derby for many years. He now spends his time working for clients that own antique Rolls Royce cars and need them refurbishing, or in many cases rebuilding.

Alan, and his crew, that includes my sister-in-law – Susan – have to manufacture replacement parts themselves. You can’t go down to your local Discount Auto-Parts store and pick up a spare differential for a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost! Just not on!

The work they do to restore these beautiful cars is amazing. I’ve included a photo of one they’re currently restoring in their shop at the moment. They truly are splendid cars.

Alan told me that in 1921 Rolls Royce chose Springfield, Massachusetts to assemble their exclusive cars. The city had an outstanding reputation for its leadership in both the precision machine and automotive industry, as well as its access to New York and Boston.

Up until 1921 Springfield was best known as the center of the American gun industry.

The Springfield plant assembled 1,703 Silver Ghosts and 1,241 Phantoms. They imported all its parts from England and they were exactly the same as those built in England – even down to the right-hand drive.

Eventually the cars were built with American-made parts, and some purely American specific engine designs were incorporated to make the American-made Rolls-Royce cars unique.

Unfortunately, with the depression, the expensive cost of the Rolls Royce sank the market for the car and the factory closed in 1931. The building is still standing but now occupied by Titeflex. The address is 603 Hendee Street Springfield, Massachusetts.

Springfield is also home to the Basketball Hall of Fame and Six Flags New England. For more information on destinations for Western Massachusetts, check out myspecial Massachusetts Vacations page by clicking here.

Talk to you at the weekend.

Cliff Calderwood
Executive Director
New England Travel and Vacation Guide

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