The Rolls-Royce Phantom I was introduced in 1925 as the successor to the Silver Ghost. It was powered by a 7.7-litre (7,668cc) straight-six engine, which was smooth, powerful, and well-engineered. While the Phantom I retained the Ghost's chassis design, it featured numerous mechanical improvements, including an improved pushrod-operated overhead valve system. Produced between two different locations, Derby, England and Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, the Springfield-built PIs were often fitted with custom bodies by top-tier American coachbuilders, such as Brewster & Co.

The York Roadster was one of the sportier and more stylish body styles crafted for the Phantom I by Brewster. Unlike the more formal limousine or town car bodies, the York Roadster was a two-seat open-top roadster with an emphasis on elegance and performance. A low-slung and gracefully proportioned body with refined detailing and distinctive sculpted lines defined the York Roadster and made it one of the most desir