- Commissioned new by Princess Jean-Louis de Faucigny-Lucinge, better known as Baba d’Erlanger, a style icon in 1920s France.
- It is estimated that this specimen is one of the 7 Phantom III models built by Kellner, the only one constructed in 1938.
- It still retains the correct Saloon division by the Kellner bodywork and Matching Numbers engine.
- When the Phantom III was first unveiled at the 1935 Olympia Motor Show, it was the most advanced, modern, and technological automobile ever seen.
- The construction of the Rolls-Royce Phantom III began in 1936 and lasted for 3 years, with a total of 727 units produced.
- It was the very first Rolls-Royce offered to the public with a V12 engine, the last model developed with the support of Henry Royce.
The present Phantom III was ordered on December 22, 1937, by Princess Jean-Louis de Faucigny-Lucinge, who, already an excellent customer of the Kellner bodywork, did not hesitate to commission them for the Phantom III's outfitting. In fact, in a letter addressed to the Bodywork, the Princess specifies to make the car as soon as possible, demonstrating her eagerness to flaunt the luxurious car at the most elegant and aristocratic gatherings in Paris, as well as for the trips she used to take with her husband in Italy.
The real name of the Princess was Mary Liliane Matilda Baroness d'Erlanger, who became a Princess in 1923 by marrying a French aristocrat descended from Louis IX.
Known to all as Baba d’Erlanger, a renowned model and true style icon, so much so that she was often sought after by photographers to be immortalized, a kind of "influencer ante litteram" in 1920s France. Her fame also earned her a 30% discount on the purchase of the car, as her notoriety would also attract attention to the vehicle.
The chassis was delivered to the Kellner workshops in Paris in March 1938, with the bodywork complete as per specifications, which was finally delivered on June 15, 1938.
The car is in excellent condition, with a two-tone Dark Blue and Primrose Yellow paint finish.
The interior features cream-colored leather, contrasting with biscuit-colored carpeting.
This KELLNER Phantom III Saloon arrived in Italy (more precisely in Palermo) in 1993, where it was used for ceremonies.
The car then moved to the north in 2013 where, in the following years, it underwent a total and meticulous restoration, lasting three years, also relying on English specialists such as “Frankl & Stepsons”.
The work involved the car in all its parts, more precisely:
- Disassembly and repainting with squares
- Bodywork
- Wooden parts. The car, in fact, features some wooden components, for which specialized carpenters were consulted for restoration.
- Completely overhauled mechanics. Engine, gearbox, and brakes
- Electrical system disassembled and restored in all its parts
- The restoration was finally completed in 2020.
A truly unique car, accompanied by a book documenting the entire history of the vehicle, various copies of invoices from the time, and photos of the restoration carried out.!