Beschreibung:

1939 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III SPORTS SEDANCA DE VILLE COACHWORK BY JAMES YOUNG Chassis No. 3DL 192 Maroon and black with brown leather front seats, Bedford cord to rear. Engine: V12, overhead valve, 7,340cc; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: four wheel drum; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs all round. Right hand drive. "The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire" was something that could be said before World War II and an appropriate vehicle for those last rulers of the empire to travel about in was the Phantom III Rolls-Royce, a huge V12 powered car introduced in 1935. It was basically an all-new car using nothing from the Phantom II and was the first V12 Rolls-Royce powered by a precursor of the engine that no doubt inspired the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine used in so many World War II fighter planes. The pushrod engine was set in a 60° Vee and used a light alloy block and light one-piece detachable cylinder head. It would propel the Phantom III at speeds approaching 90mph whilst drive was through a four speed manual gearbox. The chassis was a large, newly-designed cross braced steel box section and for the first time again on a Rolls-Royce it was fitted with "General Motors" designed independent front suspension which enabled the traditional Rolls-Royce radiator and engine to be moved forward providing space for extremely large coachwork. The Phantom III firmly put the company back into producing the "Best Car in the World". It proved to be the last big-engined pre-war car and all were built in Derby with only right hand drive. The war curtailed further development after only 710 were produced. As with the Rolls-Royce tradition, the coachwork was always hand made by the buyer's choice of coachbuilder. This particular Phantom III, chassis number 3DL 192, was fitted with James Young Sports Sedanca De Ville coachwork ordered by Jack Barclay Limited of Hanover Square, London. The coachwork is particularly elegant and according to the Rolls-Royce build sheet this was a Motor Show car. The long sweeping lines and sporting profile belie the car's size and in fact it is photographed in Lawrence Dalton's highly respected book "Those Elegant Rolls-Royce" on page 260. Jack Barclay sold the car to Mr. H.C. Barlow of Kings Leigh, Burnham, Somerset, who in turn sold the car to Commander Ewart Wentworth of London. He owned it until 1951 and it was reported to be in the ownership of Frank Dale Limited, London, in 1964. It was subsequently exported to California and it was in the ownership of Victor Erenberg of Los Angeles in 1967. According to the paperwork in the file of history he retained the car until 1980 and it was subsequently imported into Switzerland. This elegant Phantom III is finished in claret and black with brown leather front seats and fabric seating in the rear compartment. The condition is commensurate with an older restoration, the paintwork is smart but old and the engine starts easily and runs smoothly. It is sold with a US title document and is duty paid in Switzerland.