1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sports Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: BGA 119
Chassis No: 3CP8
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Saloon with retractable glass division and twin folding occasional seats

- Twin side mounted spare wheels

- Original engine fitted and appears to be complete with all ancillaries

- Lucas P100R Lamps

- Current ownership since 1996

- Fitted heater, sun visors, centre blinds, companion mirrors

- Offered with a selection of parts to be re-fitted

Although unveiled to the public at the October 1935 Olympia Motor Show, the Phantom III did not enter series production until May 1936. A fabulous design that reasserted Rolls-Royce's right to be considered as the world's pre-eminent car manufacturer, its cruciform-braced chassis featured independent coil-sprung front suspension, a fully floating live rear axle, hydraulic dampers and gearbox driven servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. Drawing on decades of aero-engine experience, it was powered by a 7340cc OHV V12. Fabricated largely from aluminium alloy, this technically advanced unit boasted a seven-bearing crankshaft, eight-bearing camshaft, hydraulic tappets and dual downdraught Stromberg carburettors. Effortlessly potent and eerily smooth, it required a level of care and maintenance not dissimilar to that of its Schneider Trophy-winning siblings. Allied to a four-speed manual gearbox (complete with synchromesh on second, third and fourth gears), it gave most variants a top speed of 100mph. Only produced for three years, just 727 Phantom IIIs are thought to have been despatched worldwide.

The example on offer is a 1937 model entered from a deceased estate at No Reserve. It was supplied new to R L Douglas Esq of Glasgow to his exacting specification of a long type chassis, "E" rake steering column and twin mounted side mount wheels. In the current ownership since 1996, this splendidly original motorcar has already been the subject of a degree of restoration work, including the replacement of sections of its ash frame, and a selection of parts ready for refitting are included in the sale. The original engine is in place and appears to be complete, as does the rest of the car, with the glorious Lucas P100R headlamps, twin side-mounted spare wheels, heater, centre blinds etc all very much in evidence. Finished in Silver over Black and trimmed in Green leather, 'BGA 119' currently displays a credible 92,492 miles, and we are delighted to be offering this handsome Phantom III with its rare James Young coachwork that now patiently awaits the right person to complete the restoration process. RREC chassis records are included with the car.