1936 Rolls Royce Phantom III

Here we have a family heirloom up for your consideration, the most iconic ultra luxury vehicle made prior to World War II, a true mechanical masterpiece to marvel, the Rolls Royce Phantom III. This stunning piece of automotive art caught the eye of a very well to do Dr on a trip to the UK in the 70’s and it was love at first sight. Arrangements were made (garage dimensions were calculated) and very soon the car was on its way to its new and current home on the West coast. Once delivered and fully checked over it was found to be in need of some very serious engine repairs. Not to be deterred, a correct replacement engine was found along with a new house guest - a qualified Rolls Royce technician - who spent the next twelve months or so installing the new engine while the family looked on in excited anticipation. Once the transplant was finished and the car fully fettled it was time to enjoy it. What fun family memories it gave over the years. Many road trips were undertaken with all the kids happily looking out at the passing landscape, heading to the next adventure. Frequently the Dr and his family would drive up at RR driver club meetings orConcourseevent and pull in alongside its vehicular brethren arriving on trailers, everybody in the car enjoying the sideways looks of the other Rolls Royce owners. This car has been loved, driven and appreciated but now as it cannot be driven by its current owner it is time for a new home!

What an exquisite piece of automotive art, the first of its kind in a class of its own,the only V12 Rolls-Royce to be produced up until the late 90's. The 7.3-litre all-alloy V12 was based on a design used for Schneider Trophy-winning planes. A lot of Phantom III's were stripped of their V12 engines and fitted with a simpler V8 and straight sixes, but really where is the fun in that? This Phantom has the original V12, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox (complete with synchromesh on second, third and fourth), enabling a 100 mph top speed in its hay day. The engine is not original to the car however it is an original V12 Phantom III engine. It is running and driving and recently had a new carburetor sand cast and fitted as the old one could no longer be repaired. The engine is so quiet it is almost impossible to tell it is idling when you are standing next to it.

Starting with the exterior, a rarely Kneeling Spirit of Ecstasy Lady rests upon the radiator of this classic Rolls.A lower version of the Rolls Royce mascot was made to suit the needs of the new sports saloons by providing their drivers with a clearer view of the road ahead, hence her kneeling posture. This version was, however, discontinued, in favor of a smaller version of the original standing mascot, and so it remains to date.

This machine was so masterfully designed that every aspect of the car seems to serve a deeper purpose, take the front grille for example, designed as a functional unit made of polished nickel-steel, with the vertical vanes hinged at the top and bottom so they open and close for better temperature control, trademarked by Rolls Royce in 1974. It is said that the early Pantheon grille's were built by hand and lined up by eye by a craftsman who would inscribe his initials on it so that, in case of damage, it could be repaired by the man who knows it best.

The exterior of this Rolls Royce is a lovely cream color with canary yellow trim, and a tan convertible top. There is some minor cracking of paint along with the odd chip here and there. This is a Pre war classic after all. The body of this 1936 Phantom III is in excellent condition, the lines are straight, and the fit and gap of all doors are good. There is no sign of any significant rust under the car. The chrome is in decent shape with some items needing to be re-plated. All windows are clear and in exceptional condition as well. Five original Rolls Royce wire wheel chrome crested octagonal hubs grace five white walled tires. The wire wheels are without damage and all spokes are in place although some are losing the chrome. The tires are in decent condition but could use rotation, as the rear wheels have a bit less tread than the front.

The interior of this Phantom III has been mildly refurbished while keeping the integrity and authenticity of this classic in mind. It has new carpet and the seats and panels are in good condition. The door panels come complete with side satchels for passenger convenience and storage needs. The dash board has amp, temperature, speedometer gauges in working order, the clock is not. There are a few blemishes on the wooden dash that have been filled but it’s very minimal. The convertible top is older but still functional, it has had a minor repair on the passenger side and a few stains but overall decent. The wood triminterior pieces are in very good condition as without wear and still have a lovely shine to them all around.

This Phantom starts, runs, drives, well and stops ok when driven at slower speeds, but it should have the brakes looked at carefully before any serious driving is undertaken. The engine starts easily using the mixture control and fires on all 12 cylinders and the compression is good and even. The clutch is smooth in operation and easy to use. The gearbox is in good condition and functions as it should sans first gear synchro. This Phantom does have a tendency to run hot and would probably benefit from having its cooling system serviced should you wish to drive it long distances. The electrical seems mostly correct and functional. The pop up indicators are believed to be functional and seem to want to work, but the switch is missing its knob. The horn does not work and I am not certain if all of the steering wheel controls are currently working correctly, although the advance seems ok. The windshield wiper arms and blades are missing.

The art of this classic coach can be seen in the little details; the tiny chrome embossed emblems that sit inside the front headlight assemblies, the chrome plated badge showing - Coachwork by Barker 66 South Audley Street London England - on the passenger's side door sill and the charming dash with gold knobs and a Rolls Royce crested tachometer. It is clear that these cars were made to a much higher standard and with nothing but quality and comfort in mind with no cost sparred on any facet.

This Rolls Royce Phantom III would be a true privilege to own as it is a wonderful and extremely limited example made by the most reputable brand in automobile production history.

As always I would advise inspecting the car in person if at all possible. It will not disappoint. Please also note that we reserve the right to end this auction early should we receive an offer we can't refuse. Please call for an appointment or with any questions you may have, (310)833-1525 Monday-Friday 7am to 5pm Pacific time. Thank you for your consideration.