Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Although the Rolls-Royce Phantom II was without doubt an outstanding automobile, by the early Thirties it’s six cylinder prowess was being challenged by multi-cylinder cars such as the V12 Hispano Suiza and V16 Cadillac. It was thus that Rolls-Royce introduced the all new Phantom III in late 1935. Visually, it was distinguishable from the Phantom II in having its radiator mounted forward rather than above the front axle, but beneath the differences were manifold.
At its heart was a superb new and complex, overhead valve V12 alloy engine, of 7,338cc, with cast-iron liners, seven main bearings, hydraulic tappets, triple pressure lubrication system and twin coil ignition. Technically advanced and highly refined, it produced 165bhp at 3,000rpm with such ample torque that it was hardly necessary to use the four speed gearbox.
The new and immensely strong, box section chassis - wit