Footnotes

• Introduced in 1936, the 7,340cc V12-engined Phantom III succeeded the Phantom II, the six-cylinder engine of which was at the end of its development life. The choice of a V12 configuration was a logical one for Rolls-Royce, the company already having considerable experience of manufacturing V12 aero engines. No doubt another consideration was the need to match the multi-cylinder opposition, notably the V16 Cadillac and V12 Hispano-Suiza. The initial power output of 165bhp was subsequently raised to 180bhp, which was sufficient to propel later examples of the Phantom III to 100mph, earlier models being capable of around 90. Its engine configuration aside, the Phantom III represents an important milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce cars, being the first with independent front suspension.
  
  Very few Phantom III Rolls-Royce were sold to America new, the total number being believed to be 24, of which the lion's share were bodied by New York based J.S. Inskip Inc. This car is the first PIII chassis listed to have been sold to America, not surprisingly it was delivered to New York City based client, E.W. Bill. Its delivery date was 2nd December 1936 and the coachwork it wore from new was the stylish 5 person limousine coachwork it still wears to this day. At the time of writing only limited information is known of the car's history, it is listed in John Webb de Campi's Rolls-Royce in America as having been offered for sale in the U.S. in 1952, but after this its history is known.
  
  From its appearance today, the car must have had a cherished life as the rear compartment still retains its complete original interior, whereas so often these are either refurbished in restoration or become beyond serviceable use and are then replaced. Clearly aesthetically very original and complete, the car is reported to drive well and importantly is stated as running cool, and so not suffering from the cooling problems often associated with this model.
  
  The car has been in Southern Europe for at least the last five years, and in its prior ownership was used alongside a Bentley in a car chase in the award winning 2006 film Pan's Labyrinth. It has been the property of a prominent connoisseur of pre-war luxury cars since this time.

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Category: Motoring / Motor Cars

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