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This 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon has an unusual design and history of ownership. It was originally ordered to the specifications of Alan Samuel Butler, the chairman of the de Havillard Aircraft Company. The chassis was sent by Rolls-Royce to coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner on November 20th of 1936. The design was to satisfy Mr. Butler's nuanced understanding of aerodynamics and included features such as a forward-sloping V-split windscreen, a swept tail, an internally contained spare tire, and a dash console highlighted by a Smith Aneroid altimeter.
Mr. Butler bequeathed this unique Rolls-Royce to the British army for use by the chiefs of the British General Staff in 1940. Stipulations accompanied the car, such as routine maintenance by qualified Rolls-Royce personnel, and that it would never leave the country.
The car came under the command of several lesser-known generals for the following few years, until June 5, 1944, when it was allocated to General Bernard Montgomery ('Monty'). A year after receiving the car, he rode it into the streets of Berlin, reportedly making it only the second British car to enter the city. After the war, General Montgomery persuaded officials to allow him to purchase chassis 3AX79. He would use the car until the death of his long-time chauffeur, Sergeant Cedric Parker, in 1962.
The car was sold a year later to an individual from Muskogee, Oklahoma, who would exhibit the car in his personal 'Leake Museum.' It has been shown at many museum exhibits and concours events, including the 2003 marque centenary celebration at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
In 2009, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, CA. It was expected to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. The lot would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010
Mr. Butler bequeathed this unique Rolls-Royce to the British army for use by the chiefs of the British General Staff in 1940. Stipulations accompanied the car, such as routine maintenance by qualified Rolls-Royce personnel, and that it would never leave the country.
The car came under the command of several lesser-known generals for the following few years, until June 5, 1944, when it was allocated to General Bernard Montgomery ('Monty'). A year after receiving the car, he rode it into the streets of Berlin, reportedly making it only the second British car to enter the city. After the war, General Montgomery persuaded officials to allow him to purchase chassis 3AX79. He would use the car until the death of his long-time chauffeur, Sergeant Cedric Parker, in 1962.
The car was sold a year later to an individual from Muskogee, Oklahoma, who would exhibit the car in his personal 'Leake Museum.' It has been shown at many museum exhibits and concours events, including the 2003 marque centenary celebration at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
In 2009, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held at Pebble Beach, CA. It was expected to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. The lot would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2010
2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $250,000-USD $350,000
Lot was not sold
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Phantom III
(Data based on Model Year 1936 sales)
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon by Barker Chassis#: 3AZ210 Sold for USD$156,046 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville in the style of Inskip Chassis#: 3BT 161 Sold for USD$168,356 2019 RM Sothebys : Essen | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine by Inskip Chassis#: 3AZ190 Sold for USD$128,800 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III V-12 Sedanca Deville Chassis#: 3AX175 Sold for USD$74,250 2017 Motostalgia : Amelia Island | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III 40/50hp Sunroof Landaulet Coachwork by Baker Chassis#: 3AX97 Sold for USD$59,400 2016 Bonhams : Preserving the Automobile | |
1936 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III 40/50HP SEDANCA DE VILLE Chassis#: 3 AZ 40 Sold for USD$71,500 2016 Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III 40/50 Touring Saloon with Division Window Chassis#: 3AZ48 Sold for USD$57,200 2015 Bonhams : Preserving the Automobile | |
1936 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III SPORTS FOUR-SEATER Chassis#: 3BU86 Sold for USD$852,500 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | |
1936 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III SEDANCA DE VILLE PROJECT Chassis#: 3AZ170 Sold for USD$15,396 2014 COLLECTORS' MOTOR CARS AND AUTOMOBILIA | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III 40/50hp Enclosed Limousine Chassis#: 3 AZ 226 Sold for USD$36,300 2014 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III 3 Position Drophead By Gurney Nutting Sold for USD$1,479,209 2012 Coys Auction - Monaco 'Legende et Passion' | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville Chassis#: 3AZ24 Sold for USD$87,405 2009 Bonhams - Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine Chassis#: 3AZ134 Sold for USD$59,512 2006 Bonhams - A Sale of Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Select Pre-War Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Rolling Chassis Chassis#: 3AX3 Sold for USD$24,005 2005 Bonhams - Important Collectors' Motor Cars | |
1936 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom III Saloon with Division Chassis#: 3AZ72 Sold for USD$33,733 2004 Bonhams - Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars |
Rolls-Royce Phantom IIIs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Pillar-less Continental Touring Saloon | 3AZ140 | 2021 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival : Collectors Motor Cars and Automobilia | $90,000 | $140,000 | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville | 2020 Bonhams : The Golden Age of Motoring Sale (1886 1939) | $80,000 | $90,000 | ||
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Touring Limousine | 3-AZ-186 | 2017 Bonhams : London Olympia | $150,000 | $180,000 | |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville | 3AZ236 | 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco | $85,000 | $150,000 | $200,000 |
1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon | 3AX79 | 2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company | $250,000 | $350,000 |
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1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III
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