1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Saloon

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