HIGHLIGHTS

Older total restoration
Matching numbers
Efficient mechanics
Restored interior
Vintage plates
The legendary V12 Rolls Royce Phantom III, with a striking Mulliner coachwork and a sumptuous interior

THE APPEAL

Today in its eighth generation, the Phantom, a sumptuous and unique car, customizable down to the smallest detail, intended for heads of state, captains of industry and movie stars, has been the flagship Rolls Royce model for almost a hundred years.

The first Phantoms, with bodyworks designed by great coachbuilders such as Mulliner, Park Ward and Hooper in various configurations, from sober limousines to flashy roadsters and coupés, were among the most elegant, exclusive and advanced automobiles of their era, capable of outstanding performance and a level of comfort unthinkable for other cars.

The Phantom III in particular, sold in just over 700 examples from 1936 to 1939, was the most ambitious, luxurious and advanced of the Rolls Royces produced before the Second World War.

Presented at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show, the Phantom III, the last project personally supervised by Henry Royce before his passing, was one of the most technically advanced cars in the world and is generally considered one the best automobiles ever made.

Capitalizing on the experience gained with aircraft engines, the Phantom III was equipped with a 7.340 cc overhead valve V12 engine, the only twelve-cylinder engine ever produced by Rolls Royce, with crankcase and cylinder blocks in aluminium alloy and aluminium heads with around 165 hp and very high torque, which allowed the grandiose Phantom, with a wheelbase of approximately 3.60 metres, vigorous performance.

The chassis of the Phantom III was equipped with independent front suspensions, with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, which allowed the radiator and engine to be moved further forward, allowing the coachbuilders to create large and elaborate bodyworks.

This majestic 1937 Rolls Royce Phantom III features a very elegant two-tone Landau bodywork by Arthur Mulliner and a refined, comfortable and spacious cabin.

Imported into Italy in the early 2000s, it underwent a thorough restoration carried out by its competent and passionate owner with the aid of high-level professionals, which involved every aspect of the car.

The legendary and rare V12 engine was entrusted to an American specialist, who carefully overhauled it and brought it back into perfect shape while preserving its originality. The cylinders, with individual code numbers, are the original ones, as are all the other major components.

Recently, the head gasket and valves have received extensive maintenance.

Since the end of the restoration, this Phantom III has been driven sporadically on special occasions but consistently and carefully maintained.

Still equipped with English plates and English registration documents, it has never been registered in Italy nor subjected to MOT inspections in recent years.

Imposing, elegant and luxurious, this Rolls Royce Phantom III is a car with inimitable charm, capable of arousing admiration and wonder as it drives by.

Comfortable and spacious, it allows its passengers to enjoy an atmosphere of great sophistication, unlimited space and comfort, precious finishes and forgotten scents and sounds that evoke images of an elite and rarefied world that disappeared with the Second World War.

The driving experience can offer great satisfaction too, with the exhilarating emotion of driving a legendary and extremely sophisticated car, with one of the most celebrated and advanced engines produced in the first half of the twentieth century and brakes, steering and suspensions that are decidedly more capable than those of most cars of its time.

This Phantom III is a vintage car of great charm and great quality, which will enrich any collection and delight every enthusiast and which, thanks to its timeless grandeur, its efficiency and its high level of comfort, could still be used as a high-class limousine.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Vintage English plates
English documents
Kept in a private collection

Equipped with English registration documents and vintage English plates, this Rolls Royce was completely restored in the early 2000s and subsequently kept in a private collection of a brand expert and rarely used but always scrupulously maintained. For this reason, it has not been MOTd in recent years.

THE INTERIOR

Flawless restored interior
Privacy divider
Driver's seat and front door panels in brown leather
Rear bench, jump seats and side panels in cream leather
Restored dashboard and woodwork
Carpeting in very good condition

The interior of this Rolls Royce is truly evocative, with different upholstery for the front cabin reserved for the driver and the rear passenger compartment, in shades matching those of the attractive two-tone bodywork.

The front features a brown leather seat with cream piping, with matching door panels and carpets.

The large and austere three-spoke steering wheel tops a precious briarwood dashboard housing a reverse-sweep 110-mph speedometer, a clock and indicators for oil pressure, coolant temperature, fuel level and amperage.

The rear passenger compartment is separated from the front of the cabin by a divider with a sliding glass window and features a bench seat and two jump seats trimmed in elegant cream-coloured leather with refined brown piping and matching side panels.

The elegant briarwood finishes, the courtesy lights with an exquisite design, the mirrors and the impeccable finishing of the headlining create an environment of great class and distinction, in which the passengers can fully enjoy the proverbial silence of the Phantom and the comfort offered by its sophisticated suspensions.

THE EXTERIOR

Completely restored bodywork
Two-tone paint
No visible damage
Shiny and intact bumpers and brightwork
Trafficators
Ace wheel covers
Spare wheels on the fenders
Clean and intact underbody

This Phantoms wears a rare, classic, discreet and elegant Landau bodywork by the renowned coachbuilder Mulliner, which has always been associated with the prestigious English brand and was incorporated by Rolls Royce in 1959.

Completely restored in the early 2000s, it features a two-tone paint job, with the upper and lower sections separated by a bright chrome molding.

The imposing front, dominated by the classic temple grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy, is enriched by five circular headlights and two chrome horns.

On the sides, the wide running boards make access to the passenger compartment extremely easy and culminate in the sinuous curve of the front fenders, which house two spare wheels.

Infinite details of great refinement catch the eye, such as the beautiful body-colour Ace wheel covers, the wind deflectors and the trafficators.

All the brightwork has been restored and appears shiny and brilliant.

The underbody is clean, with no rust or leaks.

THE MECHANICS

Original 7,338 cc V-12 engine with 165 hp
Double ignition with double coils and distributors
Four-speed manual gearbox
Independent front suspension
Brake booster
Restored mechanics
Recently serviced
Always maintained with the utmost care

Characterized by advanced and sophisticated mechanics, the Phantom III is equipped with the only twelve-cylinder engine ever produced by Rolls Royce, with overhead valves operated by a single camshaft, a single double-barrel Stromberg carburettor and a dual ignition system incorporating two distributors and 24 spark plugs.

Entrusted to the care of a world-renowned specialist in the United States, the engine of this Phantom was completely overhauled and fine-tuned in the early 2000s, under the supervision of the current owner who personally took delivery of it once the work was completed.

The restoration preserved the original pistons, which bear the engine number.

All the mechanics have been carefully overhauled and the car has rarely been driven since the restoration but kept in regular service to ensure its efficiency.

The engine has recently received a thorough maintenance, including an overhaul of the head gasket and valves.

Brakes, suspension and steering system are in good working order and the seller assures that this Phantom can be driven without the need for further work.

The chassis lubrication system implemented by a lever in the driving compartment and the hydraulic jacks installed under the chassis to lift the car are not operative.

SUMMARY

One of the most luxurious and expensive cars produced before the Second World War, at the time of its presentation the Rolls Royce Phantom III was a true mechanical masterpiece, with extremely advanced mechanics and capable of performances unthinkable for normal cars.

With excellent comfort and roadholding, thanks to the sophisticated independent suspension, the Phantom III was aimed at wealthy and sophisticated buyers, looking for the ultimate in luxury and performance.
Made in just 727 examples, it remains one of the most admired and important Rolls Royces ever.

This regal Phantom III, with its attractive Mulliner bodywork in very good condition, a sumptuous restored interior and carefully tuned mechanics, represents a truly unique opportunity to acquire a rare and well-maintained example of one of the most significant British luxury cars.

The quality of the restoration and the high level of attention paid to the mechanics and to the extraordinary V12 engine make it particularly interesting and worthy of the utmost attention.

Comfortable, majestic and endowed with an unrivaled charm, it will be an important addition to any collection and could also still be used as a luxury limousine, to make customers, friends and family live a truly unforgettable experience.

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BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.

✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.

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