1939 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Limousine with Division

Coachwork by J.S. Inskip, Inc.

7,338cc OHV V12 Engine
Single Stromberg Carburetors
180bhp at 3,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent with Live Rear Axle Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*In the present ownership since 1970
*Accompanied by substantial records from the current ownership
*Complete with copies of factory buildsheets
*Delivered new to San Francisco and domiciled in the Northeast for over 80 years

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III

Perhaps the most outstanding luxury car of the 1930s – certainly to have been built in the United Kingdom – was the Rolls-Royce Phantom III. Introduced in 1936, the V12-engined Phantom III succeeded the Phantom II, the 6-cylinder engine of which was considered to be at the end of its development life. The choice of a V12 configuration was a logical one for Rolls-Royce, the company already having had considerable experience in manufacturing V12 aero engines such as that used in the record-breaking Supermarine S6B seaplane. No doubt another consideration was the need to match the multi-cylinder opposition, notably the V16 Cadillac and V12 Hispano-Suiza.

A state-of-the-art design employing advanced materials and techniques such as 'skeleton' cylinder blocks with wet liners and aluminum alloy cylinder heads, the PIII V12 produced 165bhp in its debut form. The maximum output was subsequently raised to 180 brake horsepower, which was sufficient to propel later examples 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. A total of 727 had been manufactured when World War II halted production; about 300 are believed to exist worldwide today.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

According to Rolls-Royce build records, this handsome and elegant Phantom III was ordered new by the wife of San Francisco, California publisher John H. Miller. Purchased through New York retailer J.S. Inskip, on April 12, 1938, the chassis was delivered to the port for shipment on May 7, 1938. Mrs. Miller chose to have Inskip body the car in as a formal, 7-passenger limousine with divider, and she received her completed car on August 8, 1938. Keeping the car only briefly, in April of 1939 she sold the Rolls to Frederick Brewster of New Haven, Connecticut. The Rolls would remain on the East Coast in the Tri-State area until the present. By the late 1960s, the car was in the collection of New York City lawyer and politician Chase Mellen Junior. On August 12, 1970, the current owner acquired the Rolls from Raimund Corssen Co., Inc. of Oyster Bay, New York for $5,355 (including tax) according to the original Bill of Sale that accompanies the car.

Naming the car 'Cassiopeia', the Phantom III would be carefully looked after and maintained as evidenced by the reams of receipts dating back to the time of purchase. In the early 1980s, the car was sent to Classic Auto Restoration in Farmington, Michigan for a complete mechanical rebuild. The nine-year process is recorded in the numerous receipts and correspondence on file. Finished in Black and Royal Windsor Blue over a black leather driver seat and beige broadcloth rear compartment, the interior remains in what appears to be remarkably original condition, although the driver's seat has been fitted with a fabric cover over the slightly worn leather.

Not actively driven in the last seven years, the car has been recently checked over but a thorough vetting is recommended before actively touring. Accompanied by an enormous quantity of receipts and records from the present ownership, the car also comes with service manuals, owner's handbook (reprint), copies of original build records, copy of its Schoellkopf card, and more. Now available for the first time in over half a century, it is an excellent opportunity to acquire a tractable and enjoyable touring car perfect for RROC and CCCA events.