Vehicle Description
Regarded the most ambitious prewar Rolls-Royce chassis, the Phantom
III, often dubbed "P-III," entered design and development in 1935,
and it was the last new Rolls-Royce model developed during the
lifetime of legendary engineer Henry Royce, who passed away in 1936
aged 70. The Phantom III also remains historic as the only V-12
model offered by the revered British luxury marque until the advent
of the Silver Seraph in 1998. An unqualified technical tour de
force, the Phantom III continues to be regarded by Classic Era
collectors and experts as one of the finest multi-cylinder
automobile designs of its time and beyond. Displacing 7.3 liters,
the V-12 Phantom III engine was state-of-the-art, reflecting the
latest thinking and echoing the layout of the powerful V-12 aero
engines that would soon earn everlasting fame for Rolls-Royce in
the heroic defense of Britain yet to come. Advanced features of the
Phantom III V-12 engine included aluminum cylinder heads with
overhead-valve architecture and a one-piece aluminum-alloy cylinder
block incorporating cast-iron wet cylinder liners. Twin ignition
and an early form of self-adjusting hydraulic valve tappets, the
latter used for 1936-37, were other engineering innovations ushered
in by the Phantom III. The Phantom III chassis was offered in a
single 142-inch wheelbase length, ideal for a wide array of custom
coachwork. The PIII frame featured a rigid cruciform-braced,
box-girder design, with American GM-style independent front
underpinnings and proven semi-elliptic leaf springs to the rear. A
four-speed manual gearbox allowed drivers to fully exploit the
powerful V-12 engine's power band and included desirable
synchromesh operation on the top three gears. Among its many
notable "firsts," the Phantom III broke new ground as the first
British motorcar produced with driver-controlled hydraulic shock
absorbers. Rated at 165 horsepower, the V-12 engine of the PIII
enabled the carriage of some of the most opulent and beautifully
styled custom coachwork available and the ability to approach 100
miles per hour on command. In sum, Rolls-Royce engineers spared no
effort to ensure the Phantom III chassis was the ultimate in terms
of refinement and technical sophistication on all counts.
Code-named "Spectre" during its development cycle, the Phantom III
chassis debuted at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show and garnered
immediate acclaim from industry critics and well-heeled buyers.
Phantom III chassis production commenced in 1936 and officially
ended in 1939, with one final chassis constructed in 1940 and
remaining chassis still being bodied and delivered in 1940 and
1941. Interestingly, due to the privations of wartime in Europe,
the final PIII chassis was not supplied with a body to its owner
until 1947 - a fitting swan song to the advanced and majestic
Rolls-Royce chassis that bridged the immediate Pre- and Post-war
eras. In a testament to its grandeur and robust design, the Phantom
III gained new admirers during the 1960s as the favored mount of
Auric Goldfinger, Ian Fleming's supervillain of James Bond novel
and movie fame, who transported stolen gold around Europe with his
murderous, yet well-mannered sidekick Oddjob serving as chauffeur.
Blessed with exceptionally well-detailed provenance from new, this
1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III is one of just 727 chassis produced
and marks a genuinely thrilling find for marque collectors and
enthusiasts alike. Bearing Chassis Number 3BT149, it retains its
original V-12 engine, E58X. It also has its original and decidedly
sporting two-door, "four-light" Sedanca de Ville body by Barker,
bearing number 7296. Recorded "off-test" on April 27, 1937, 3BT149
was completed and delivered new on September 8, 1937, to Thomas
John Hughes, a Solicitor resident in Grosvenor Square, London, and
registered 'EGX1' under him. Given its production timeframe, the
body for 3BT149 was consequently one of the last created by an
independent Barker prior to its takeover in 1938 by rival firm
Hooper. Mr. Hughes faithfully retained 3BT149 until May 1959, when
he sold it via Rolls-Royce dealer Paddon Bros. to the colorful
American bank president and prolific classic-car collector Mills B.
Lane of Atlanta, Georgia. Registered 'WYF III,' the Phantom III was
humorously dubbed "The Third Wife" by Mr. Lane, who kept the
Phantom III in England, where Paddon Brothers cosmetically restored
it. Among the items addressed, BT149 was retrofitted with a spare
wheel/tire and spare-tire carrier to the passenger side, fitted
with new tires, equipped with new carpeting, and the interior was
comprehensively detailed. A new Everflex removable front-roof cover
was also assembled and installed, and the body was stripped,
prepared, and refinished in Rover Donkey Brown to the body, and the
wheel discs and spare wheel covers were painted Austin Farina Grey.
Interestingly, the new exterior color combination was suggested by
none other than award-winning designer Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky,
who had relocated to Georgia and forged a friendship with Mr. Lane
during the early 1960s. During this period, shortly before the
Count's eventual passing, he created a series of beautiful
watercolors depicting the beautiful motorcars, including 3BT149,
that formed the Lane Collection. Featuring de Sakhnoffsky's colors,
3BT149 was exhibited by Mr. Lane at a Rolls-Royce rally held at
Blenheim Palace, where its next owner first encountered the
unforgettable P III. The P III was exported to the United States in
1961, and the Mills Lane Collection was sold by auction in 1965.
However, 3BT149 passed unsold and was eventually in the hands of a
dealer in Nebraska, through whom it was purchased in 1967 by its
next owner, a confirmed Rolls-Royce collector, enthusiast, and
expert, who would retain and cherish 3BT149 for the next 55 years.
During that time, the Phantom III participated in CCCA CARavan
tours and was exhibited in numerous Concours and Rolls-Royce Owners
Club events. The Phantom III was also a virtual fixture in print
publications, including Rolls-Royce Owners Club magazine,The Flying
Lady,and The Classic Car, published by the Classic Car Club of
America (CCCA). A fabulous and fascinating example of the flagship,
7.3-litre twelve-cylinder Phantom III, 3BT149 remains simply
captivating with its older yet well-preserved restoration.
Cherished by just three long-term private owners, meticulously
restored, and lovingly maintained through the years, 3BT149 is now
wonderfully mellowed with a highly pleasing patina and is ideal for
enjoyable classic tours or casual shows. Importantly, the V-12 runs
exceptionally well, with the power and refinement expected of a
dialed-in Phantom III. Service records as recent as mid-2022 show
the critical cooling system is in good health. A former show car
that stands tall as a fine classic touring car, this marvelous
Phantom III is accompanied by most of its factory tool kit still in
place, plus an owner's handbook and a wealth of documentation
confirming its outstanding provenance. A truly rare and distinctive
Phantom III, 3BT149 remains a beautiful example of Barker's
renowned coachbuilding prowess and the engineering excellence of
Rolls-Royce. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7371-1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-coupe/
