PilgRRimage

Most of us know that Rolls-Royce did once have a factory in the U.S.A.

For those who don't, here's a very brief account.

Sir Henry Royce decided that his cars for the American market should be built right there, so he and a number of engineers set up a factory in Springfield, Massachusetts  - a town known for precision machine and automotive engineering. Also with close proximity to major cities New York and Boston.

1,703 Silver Ghosts and 1,241 Phantom chassis were built there with their bodies being fitted by American coach builders.

The depression finally sounded the end for the plant and it closed in 1931.

I had to see the place for myself.

Well, some of the original building is still there. It's now the Titeflex plant which makes specialized hoses for the space and aviation industry. 

Rolls-Royce areo division is one of their clients....

The downtown Springfield museum is proud of what was once there with a special permanent exhibit with two locally built cars.

A 1928 Phantom 

And a 1925 Silver Ghost.

Well worth a visit.

(Posted by David Irvine)