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1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III news, pictures, and information

All-Weather Limousine
Coachwork: Mulliner
 
This stunning Rolls-Royce Phantom III started life as a Hooper & Co. Limousine. it was the only Phantom III registered in Ireland, and was originally ordered by Dr. William Lombard Murphy, son and heir to famed industrialist William Martin Murphy. The second owner was London businessman R.H. Gregory. He commissioned H.J. Mulliner to build the present four-door All Weather Limousine body in 1950. The body design is very similar to the body built at the same time by Mulliner for Generalissimo Franco's Phantom IV. The car has been restored back to its original Mulliner specifications. Mrs. Millegan is the sixth owner.
Cabriolet
Coachwork: Mazzara & Meyer
 
This is a Rolls Royce Phantom III which had its original body re-engineered by Mazzara & Meyer. Mazzara & Meyer was an engineering and design firm who were able to transform this Rolls-Royce into a convertible. In 1953, the hood was replaced by an electronically controlled unit. Under the hood is a twelve-cylinder unit that displaces 7500cc and capable of producing 130 horsepower.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2007
Park Ward Tourer
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis Num: 3CM61
Engine Num: R98L
 
Sold for $286,000 at 2011 Gooding & Company.
The Phantom III was an entirely different car from the previous Phantoms with a V12 engine of 7338cc, 120 horsepower, four-speed transmission and weight of 6,160 lbs. With input from Gabriel Voisin, it had an international reputation of modern design and technology with independent suspension and other modern features. Only 710 Phantom IIIs were produced, with 130 delivered to members of the British Royal Family and to high-ranking nobility. The rear seating area has a bar with crystal decanter and goblets, radio, heater, clock, altimeter and speedometer.

This is a one-off Park Ward Coachwork body with cane work on the rear doors and a sliding roof over the chauffeur's compartment.
Sedanca de Ville
Coachwork: Hooper
Chassis Num: 3-CP-200
 
Sold for $112,750 at 2013 RM Auctions.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom II was replaced by the Phantom III in 1935. The Phantom III was the company's first 12-cylinder model. The engine was more compact than the straight-six Phantom II engine and the firewall could be moved forward about eight additional inches, providing coachbuilders to create more spacious passenger compartments. The 7340 cc engine was 328 centimeters smaller than the Phantom II, but produced more horsepower. The Phantom III was given a new suspension, with shock absorbers adjusted by the driver.

This Phantom III example wears its original Hooper Sedanca de Ville body. The Hooper & Co. Ltd operated from 1905 to 1959. During their history, most Hooper body orders came from Rolls-Royce. Their clients included the Emperor of Japan, the King of Egypt, King Edward VII, Prince Hamiddulah of Bhopal, and the Shah of Persia.

The original owner of this car Captain Alastair W. Mackintosh, who was married to a Hollywood film star, Constance Talmadge. In 1940 or 1941, Captain Mackintosh sold the car to Mary Bruce. She owned the car until the late-1970s, when she sold it to I. I. Gordon, in England. The next owner was Frank Dale who purchased the car for his personal use. Recently, it was part of a large car collection in Dubai.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Scottsdale sale. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $112,750 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2013
The Phantom III was the first Rolls-Royce to be fitted wîth a V12 engine, which was probably an inevitable development as the company was already manufacturing aero engines in this configuration.

When the Phantom III was unveiled at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show it was the most technically advanced car in the world and many believe the best car ever made. The 7340 cc. V12 overhead valve engine had a one-piece aluminum alloy crankcase and cylinder blocks and cast-iron wet cylinder liners and aluminum head.

The Phantom II was the first Rolls-Royce to have indendent front suspension; this was of the wishbone type and was controlled by coil springs and hydraulic dampers. The new suspension enabled the radiator and engine to be moved further forward on the shortened chassis, giving coachbuilders scope to build very spacious bodywork.

In chassis form the car cost 1,850 pounds, just 50 pounds more than the far less sophisticated Phantom II this was presumed to have been possibly because the swiftly selling smaller models subsidized the top of the range Phantom III.

During the design process of this car Henry Royce's poor health was failing further and he worried that he would not live to see the outcome of his work. Tragically this proved to be correct.

Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited
The Phantom series culminated with the marque's only 12-cylinder chassis, the Phantom III. These great cars were built from 1935 until 1939, when World War II ended production, with only 710 produced. The extremely complex design was the last Henry Royce had any involvement in before his death in 1933, and borrowed heavily from Rolls Royce's experience building airplane engines.
By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007
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