1939 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Cabriolet

Originally bodied as a Sedanca deVille by Hooper, the second owner removed the original body and sent the chassis to Labourdette of Paris for the current body. Bare chassis were simply not available immediately after World War II. This is the last car bodied by Labourdette, and the body alone cost $44,000. The pillarless windshield, 'vutotal,' is a Labourdette patent, and much of the brass is leaded into the body. The finished project was shown at the 1947 Paris Auto Show, and was then shipped to New York. The car's underpinnings are pure Phantom III: a 7.3-liter V12 engine, independent front suspension, hydraulically adjustable shock absorbers and an on-board jacking system. The chassis was priced at 1,850 British Pounds (roughly $10,000), and just 719 chassis were produced through 1939. The only Rolls-Royce identifying marks on the car are two cloisonne emblems insert into the doors.

This is one of the most flamboyant designs ever by renowned French coachbuilder Labourdette. This car evokes strong emotions, and has been called both shocking and a work of art. Originally purchased with a more conventional body by Louie Ritter, noted and highly successful furrier to New York's high society. Ritter had the car, chassis number 3DL120, sent to Paris where he contracted Labourdette re-body it into a more distinctive style. The work was curtailed by the onset of World War II, and the car had to be hidden away until 1945. It was finally delivered to Ritter in 1947. This car has just been restored and has been shown at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.