---
title: Rolls-Royce Phantom III · HICONIUM
description: The Phantom III replaced the straight-six with a 7.3-litre V12 and independent front suspension. This ambitious pre-war Phantom is scarce and expensive to put right; coachwork and engine history carry equal weight.
canonical_url: https://hiconium.dev/vehicles/rollsroyce/phantom-iii
image: https://hiconium.dev/og/vehicle/rollsroyce/phantom-iii.png
market_as_of: "2026-09-01"
---

> HICONIUM · Index: https://hiconium.dev/llms.txt · Every page: append `.md` or send `Accept: text/markdown`.
> Path: [Home](https://hiconium.dev/) › [Vehicles](https://hiconium.dev/models) › [Rolls-Royce](https://hiconium.dev/manufacturers/rolls-royce) › Phantom III
> On this page: [The price and the proof](#the-price-and-the-proof) · [Model readouts](#model-readouts) · [Documented sales](#documented-sales) · [The six-cylinder line ended with a V12](#overview-heading) · [Technical specifications](#technical-specifications) · [Powertrain](#powertrain) · [Chassis](#chassis) · [Production record](#production-record) · [Phantom III register](#phantom-iii-register) · [The people behind the car](#the-people-behind-the-car) · [Henry Royce](#henry-royce) · [Member instruments](#member-instruments)

![A deep blue Rolls-Royce Phantom III, front three-quarter view on a silver-blue field with pearl light](https://hiconium.dev/images/cars/rollsroyce-phantom-iii/hero-wide-2560.jpg)

# Phantom III

Twelve cylinders before war

The Phantom III replaced the straight-six with a 7.3-litre V12 and independent front suspension. This ambitious pre-war Phantom is scarce and expensive to put right; coachwork and engine history carry equal weight.

1936 to 1939 · 710 production cars · Derby

## The price and the proof

Indicative road-car band $42K–$207K · typical $86K · 45 documented road sales · 45 recorded sales on file · market as of 2026-09-01. Modeled values are not observed sales. Nothing here is investment advice.

Confidence: low. The band is an editorial range for complete cars with period coachwork, documented engine work and no immediate major mechanical need. Public results span ordinary formal bodies, rare coupes and concours cars; deferred V12 work can move a car below the range despite good cosmetics.

USD. The rarest original sporting bodies can exceed the band. Formal limousines and cars requiring engine work can fall below it.

Body rarity creates the headline; engine condition decides whether the price survives inspection.

Valuation method and source rules: [HICONIUM standards](https://hiconium.dev/standards). Observed auction results across the wider market: [Market terminal](https://hiconium.dev/market).

### Model readouts

45 documented anchors. model v1 · seed rollsroyce-phantom-iii. Compound annual growth is modeled price CAGR; S&P 500 is a price index without dividends. Forecast quantiles are not investment advice.

| Window | This car* | S&P 500 | Gold |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1Y | -57.6% | +18.8% | +21.9% |
| 5Y | -8.5% | +11.4% | +17.6% |
| 10Y | +4.1% | +13.3% | +11.8% |

| Series | Deepest drawdown | Window |
| --- | --- | --- |
| This car* | -99.6% | Jul 2003 → Aug 2004 · recovered Jun 2014 |
| S&P 500 | -50.8% | Oct 2007 → Mar 2009 · recovered Mar 2013 |
| Gold | -39.3% | Sep 2011 → Dec 2015 · recovered Jul 2020 |

| Horizon | P10 | P50 | P90 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| +6M | $70'410 | $85'417 | $103'621 |
| +12M | $64'881 | $84'736 | $110'668 |
| +24M | $57'253 | $83'391 | $121'462 |

### Documented sales

45 recorded. Every public sale on this file, newest first. Amounts keep the recorded currency. Source links appear only when the catalog stores a public auction-lot URL.

| Date | Chassis / label | Class | House | Venue | Amount | Currency | Basis | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-06-13 | bonhams · Reno, National Automobile Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Reno, National Automobile Museum | $32'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/32353/lot/98/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-4-light-limousine-chassis-no-3cp98-engine-no-c48z-see-text/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/32353/lot/98/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-4-light-limousine-chassis-no-3cp98-engine-no-c48z-see-text/) |
| 2025-09-21 | Mecum · Larry's Legacy - Highlights, Chicago, USA · incl. buyer's premium | Road | Mecum | Larry's Legacy - Highlights, Chicago, USA | $352'000 | USD | incl. buyer's premium | [https://www.mecum.com/lots/1151235/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-aero-coupe/](https://www.mecum.com/lots/1151235/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-aero-coupe/) |
| 2025-04-13 | bonhams · Chichester, Goodwood · hammer | Road | bonhams | Chichester, Goodwood | £70'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/30542/lot/169/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-saloon-chassis-no-3cm177-engine-no-d28z/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/30542/lot/169/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-saloon-chassis-no-3cm177-engine-no-d28z/) |
| 2024-04-14 | bonhams · Chichester, Goodwood · hammer | Road | bonhams | Chichester, Goodwood | £40'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29331/lot/181/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3-cp-186-engine-no-a68c/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/29331/lot/181/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3-cp-186-engine-no-a68c/) |
| 2022-08-20 | 2022 | Road | Gooding Christie's | Pebble Beach 2022, Pebble Beach, USA | $207'200 | USD | incl. buyer's premium | [https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-coupe/?filtersInput%5BauctionType%5D%5B0%5D=Live+Auction&filtersInput%5BauctionYear%5D%5B0%5D=2022&filtersInput%5BliveAuctionVenue%5D%5B0%5D=Pebble+Beach&sortBy=ENDING_SOONEST&pageNumber=6](https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-coupe/?filtersInput%5BauctionType%5D%5B0%5D=Live+Auction&filtersInput%5BauctionYear%5D%5B0%5D=2022&filtersInput%5BliveAuctionVenue%5D%5B0%5D=Pebble+Beach&sortBy=ENDING_SOONEST&pageNumber=6) |
| 2022-08-19 | 2022 | Road | gooding | Pebble Beach Auctions 2022 | $207'200 | USD | incl. buyer's premium | [https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-coupe](https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-coupe) |
| 2021-12-11 | bonhams · Bicester, Bicester Heritage · hammer | Road | bonhams | Bicester, Bicester Heritage | £30'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/26810/lot/84/formerly-owned-by-lord-beaverbrook1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-limousine-chassis-no-3dl38/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/26810/lot/84/formerly-owned-by-lord-beaverbrook1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-limousine-chassis-no-3dl38/) |
| 2021-10-25 | bonhams · Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social · hammer | Road | bonhams | Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social | $70'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/26886/lot/23/1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-with-division-coachwork-by-js-inskip-inc-chassis-no-3dl20-engine-no-c78b/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/26886/lot/23/1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-with-division-coachwork-by-js-inskip-inc-chassis-no-3dl20-engine-no-c78b/) |
| 2021-09-18 | bonhams · Chichester, Goodwood · hammer | Road | bonhams | Chichester, Goodwood | £95'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27000/lot/209/the-stan-west-collection-1936-paris-salon1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-pillar-less-continental-touring-saloon-chassis-no-3az140/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27000/lot/209/the-stan-west-collection-1936-paris-salon1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-pillar-less-continental-touring-saloon-chassis-no-3az140/) |
| 2021-09-05 | RM Sotheby's · Auburn Fall, Auburn, USA · incl. buyer's premium | Road | RM Sotheby's | Auburn Fall, Auburn, USA | $259'163 | USD | incl. buyer's premium | [https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af21/auburn-fall/lots/r0475-1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-four-door-cabriolet-by-park-ward/1163788](https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/af21/auburn-fall/lots/r0475-1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-four-door-cabriolet-by-park-ward/1163788) |
| 2021-05-19 | bonhams · London, New Bond Street · hammer | Road | bonhams | London, New Bond Street | £77'500 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27194/lot/23/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-four-light-cabriolet-chassis-no-3dl94/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/27194/lot/23/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-four-light-cabriolet-chassis-no-3dl94/) |
| 2019-06-30 | bonhams · Chantilly, Chateau de Chantilly · hammer | Road | bonhams | Chantilly, Chateau de Chantilly | €100'000 | EUR | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/25566/lot/25/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-drophead-coupe-chassis-no-3az72/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/25566/lot/25/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-drophead-coupe-chassis-no-3az72/) |
| 2017-12-06 | bonhams · London, Olympia · hammer | Road | bonhams | London, Olympia | £137'500 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24125/lot/273/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-touring-limousine-chassis-no-3-az-186/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24125/lot/273/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-touring-limousine-chassis-no-3-az-186/) |
| 2017-09-09 | bonhams · Chichester, Goodwood · hammer | Road | bonhams | Chichester, Goodwood | £152'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24122/lot/218/the-1938-earls-court-motor-show1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3dl76/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24122/lot/218/the-1938-earls-court-motor-show1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3dl76/) |
| 2016-10-03 | bonhams · Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $54'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23555/lot/229/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sunroof-landaulet-chassis-no-3ax97/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23555/lot/229/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sunroof-landaulet-chassis-no-3ax97/) |
| 2016-01-28 | bonhams · Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa · hammer | Road | bonhams | Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | $65'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23132/lot/3/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3-az-40-engine-no-z-14-b/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23132/lot/3/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3-az-40-engine-no-z-14-b/) |
| 2015-10-05 | bonhams · Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $52'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22793/lot/254/fitted-by-the-factory-with-an-experimental-prototype-motor-1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050-touring-saloon-with-division-window-coachwork-by-hj-mulliner-chassis-no-3az48-engine-no-phantom-iii-unit-no-ii-see-text/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22793/lot/254/fitted-by-the-factory-with-an-experimental-prototype-motor-1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050-touring-saloon-with-division-window-coachwork-by-hj-mulliner-chassis-no-3az48-engine-no-phantom-iii-unit-no-ii-see-text/) |
| 2015-10-05 | bonhams · Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $66'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22793/lot/260/delivered-new-to-florence-adele-vanderbilt-twombly-1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050-touring-limousine-coachwork-by-js-inskip-inc-chassis-no-3ax85-engine-no-b74y/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/22793/lot/260/delivered-new-to-florence-adele-vanderbilt-twombly-1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050-touring-limousine-coachwork-by-js-inskip-inc-chassis-no-3ax85-engine-no-b74y/) |
| 2015-09-26 | bonhams · Denmark, Ebeltoft · hammer | Road | bonhams | Denmark, Ebeltoft | DKK 3'600'000 | DKK | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23234/lot/34/the-ex-hedy-lamarr-and-fritz-mandl1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-drophead-coupe-chassis-no-3bt185-engine-no-k68r/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/23234/lot/34/the-ex-hedy-lamarr-and-fritz-mandl1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-drophead-coupe-chassis-no-3bt185-engine-no-k68r/) |
| 2014-12-07 | bonhams · Oxford · hammer | Road | bonhams | Oxford | £32'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21844/lot/336/single-family-ownership-from-new1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3cm85-engine-no-y48e/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21844/lot/336/single-family-ownership-from-new1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3cm85-engine-no-y48e/) |
| 2014-08-15 | bonhams · Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club · hammer | Road | bonhams | Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club | $775'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21917/lot/222/the-ex-maharaja-nawab-muhammad-hamidullah-khan-1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-four-seater-chassis-no-3bu86-engine-no-b38a/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21917/lot/222/the-ex-maharaja-nawab-muhammad-hamidullah-khan-1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-four-seater-chassis-no-3bu86-engine-no-b38a/) |
| 2014-03-08 | bonhams · Oxford · hammer | Road | bonhams | Oxford | £8'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21735/lot/246/property-of-a-deceaseds-estate1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-project-chassis-no-3az170-engine-no-v18f/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21735/lot/246/property-of-a-deceaseds-estate1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-project-chassis-no-3az170-engine-no-v18f/) |
| 2014-01-16 | bonhams · Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa · hammer | Road | bonhams | Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | $33'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21392/lot/164/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-enclosed-limousine-chassis-no-3-az-226-engine-no-n-14-m/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/21392/lot/164/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-enclosed-limousine-chassis-no-3-az-226-engine-no-n-14-m/) |
| 2012-10-08 | bonhams · Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $25'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20498/lot/458/originally-supplied-to-lord-somers-president-of-the-marylebone-cricket-club-formerly-owned-by-william-b-ruger1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-shooting-brake-project-chassis-no-3-bu-144-engine-no-z58c/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20498/lot/458/originally-supplied-to-lord-somers-president-of-the-marylebone-cricket-club-formerly-owned-by-william-b-ruger1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-shooting-brake-project-chassis-no-3-bu-144-engine-no-z58c/) |
| 2012-10-08 | bonhams · Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Philadelphia, Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum | $72'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20498/lot/462/originally-owned-by-the-honorable-peter-beatty-son-in-law-of-marshall-field1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-cabriolet-chassis-no-3-dl-118-engine-no-z28e/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20498/lot/462/originally-owned-by-the-honorable-peter-beatty-son-in-law-of-marshall-field1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-cabriolet-chassis-no-3-dl-118-engine-no-z28e/) |
| 2012-04-30 | bonhams · Hendon, RAF Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Hendon, RAF Museum | £44'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20141/lot/340/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-touring-limousine-chassis-no-3cm175-engine-no-d18z/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/20141/lot/340/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-touring-limousine-chassis-no-3cm175-engine-no-d18z/) |
| 2011-12-01 | bonhams · Weybridge, Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands · hammer | Road | bonhams | Weybridge, Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands | £55'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/19293/lot/422/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sports-saloon-chassis-no-3bt93-engine-no-x28e/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/19293/lot/422/1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-sports-saloon-chassis-no-3bt93-engine-no-x28e/) |
| 2009-09-12 | bonhams · Beaulieu, National Motor Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Beaulieu, National Motor Museum | £33'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17260/lot/450/property-of-a-deceaseds-estate1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-saloon-chassis-no-3bt201-engine-no-d28y/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17260/lot/450/property-of-a-deceaseds-estate1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-saloon-chassis-no-3bt201-engine-no-d28y/) |
| 2009-09-12 | bonhams · Beaulieu, National Motor Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Beaulieu, National Motor Museum | £7'500 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17260/lot/451/rolls-royce-phantom-iii-v12-engine/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17260/lot/451/rolls-royce-phantom-iii-v12-engine/) |
| 2009-09-12 | bonhams · Seattle · hammer | Road | bonhams | Seattle | $27'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17486/lot/35/from-the-lemay-collection1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3bu172/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17486/lot/35/from-the-lemay-collection1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3bu172/) |
| 2009-03-08 | bonhams · Oxford · hammer | Road | bonhams | Oxford | £55'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17253/lot/236/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3az24-engine-no-a64a/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17253/lot/236/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3az24-engine-no-a64a/) |
| 2009-02-07 | bonhams · Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles · hammer | Road | bonhams | Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles | €45'000 | EUR | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17043/lot/148/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-saloon-chassis-no-3cm181-engine-no-d482/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/17043/lot/148/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-4050hp-saloon-chassis-no-3cm181-engine-no-d482/) |
| 2008-11-19 | bonhams · Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground · hammer | Road | bonhams | Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground | £44'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/16255/lot/650/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-limousine-chassis-no-3dl38-engine-no-k588/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/16255/lot/650/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sports-limousine-chassis-no-3dl38-engine-no-k588/) |
| 2006-09-23 | 1005 | Road | bonhams | San Francisco | $37'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/14634/lot/1005/1937-rolls-royce-4050-hp-phantom-iii-rolling-chassis-chassis-no-3cm139-engine-no-w18g/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/14634/lot/1005/1937-rolls-royce-4050-hp-phantom-iii-rolling-chassis-chassis-no-3cm139-engine-no-w18g/) |
| 2006-06-17 | bonhams · Market Harborough, Rockingham Castle · hammer | Road | bonhams | Market Harborough, Rockingham Castle | £28'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/14258/lot/407/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3az134-engine-no-a54z/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/14258/lot/407/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3az134-engine-no-a54z/) |
| 2005-12-05 | bonhams · London, Olympia · hammer | Road | bonhams | London, Olympia | £12'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12174/lot/684/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-rolling-chassis-chassis-no-3ax3-engine-no-m18n/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12174/lot/684/1936-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-rolling-chassis-chassis-no-3ax3-engine-no-m18n/) |
| 2005-05-16 | bonhams · Monaco, Fairmont Hotel · hammer | Road | bonhams | Monaco, Fairmont Hotel | €20'000 | EUR | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13162/lot/220/the-ex-h-m-king-farouk-i-of-egypt1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3-dl-182/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13162/lot/220/the-ex-h-m-king-farouk-i-of-egypt1939-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-limousine-chassis-no-3-dl-182/) |
| 2005-05-16 | bonhams · Monaco, Fairmont Hotel · hammer | Road | bonhams | Monaco, Fairmont Hotel | €55'000 | EUR | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13162/lot/258/the-ex-sir-ernest-oppenheimer1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3dl34-engine-no-r58m/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13162/lot/258/the-ex-sir-ernest-oppenheimer1937-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-chassis-no-3dl34-engine-no-r58m/) |
| 2004-08-20 | bonhams · Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club · hammer | Road | bonhams | Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club | $275 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/13/a-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-handbook/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/13/a-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-handbook/) |
| 2004-08-20 | bonhams · Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club · hammer | Road | bonhams | Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club | $300 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/8/a-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-prestige-catalog/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/8/a-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-prestige-catalog/) |
| 2004-08-20 | bonhams · Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club · hammer | Road | bonhams | Carmel, Quail Lodge & Golf Club | $200 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/9/a-rolls-royce-4050-hp-phantom-iii-handbook-number/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/13032/lot/9/a-rolls-royce-4050-hp-phantom-iii-handbook-number/) |
| 2004-06-19 | bonhams · Market Harborough, Rockingham Castle · hammer | Road | bonhams | Market Harborough, Rockingham Castle | £16'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/11237/lot/509/1936-rolls-royce-4050hp-phantom-iii-saloon-with-division-chassis-no-3az72-engine-no-d84w/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/11237/lot/509/1936-rolls-royce-4050hp-phantom-iii-saloon-with-division-chassis-no-3az72-engine-no-d84w/) |
| 2004-03-01 | bonhams · Hendon, RAF Museum · hammer | Road | bonhams | Hendon, RAF Museum | £33'000 | GBP | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/11090/lot/541/1937-rolls-royce-4050hp-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-coachwork-by-h-j-mulliner-and-co-ltd-chassis-no-3cm125-engine-no-j48t/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/11090/lot/541/1937-rolls-royce-4050hp-phantom-iii-sedanca-de-ville-coachwork-by-h-j-mulliner-and-co-ltd-chassis-no-3cm125-engine-no-j48t/) |
| 2003-10-10 | bonhams · San Francisco · hammer | Road | bonhams | San Francisco | $1'100 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12950/lot/595/a-good-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-mascot-british-circa-1936/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12950/lot/595/a-good-rolls-royce-phantom-iii-mascot-british-circa-1936/) |
| 2003-08-01 | bonhams · San Francisco · hammer | Road | bonhams | San Francisco | $70'000 | USD | hammer | [https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12938/lot/908/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii/](https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/12938/lot/908/1938-rolls-royce-phantom-iii/) |

The ledger contains two documented auction sales selected to show coachwork dispersion, not to imply a computed model average.

## The six-cylinder line ended with a V12

By the early 1930s, American luxury makers were offering straight-eights, V12s and V16s. Rolls-Royce answered with a shorter aluminium V12 that delivered more power while preserving the low-speed silence expected of a Phantom.

Henry Royce worked on the project before his death in 1933. The production car arrived in 1936 with independent front suspension, twin ignition and a larger passenger package on a shorter wheelbase than the Phantom II.

War stopped civilian chassis production in 1939, although coachbuilders finished and delivered cars later. Rolls-Royce gives 710 production examples; registry totals often state 727 chassis when experimental cars are included. Each surviving chassis therefore needs separate study: some retain their first body and drivetrain, while others have been rebodied or mechanically altered during long post-war lives.

| Highlight | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| A compact V12 changed the package | The new V12 was shorter than the Phantom II's straight-six. Coachbuilders gained more passenger compartment without extending the chassis, while output rose from 120 hp to 165 hp and later 180 hp. |
| Independent at the front | Coil-sprung independent front suspension, hydraulically adjustable damping, central lubrication and on-board jacking made the Phantom III the most complex pre-war Rolls-Royce road chassis. |
| Engine history is valuation history | Twenty-four plugs, twin ignition and an intricate valve train demand specialist knowledge. A rebuilt engine with invoices can add confidence; a quiet idle alone does not establish cooling, oil pressure or internal condition. |

| Label | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Built | 710 · factory figure |
| Cylinders | 12 |
| Spark plugs | 24 |
| Factory | Derby |
| Body | Coachbuilt |

## Technical specifications

### Powertrain

| Label | Value | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engine | 7'338 cc 60-degree V12 | aluminium alloy, pushrod overhead valves |
| Power | 165 hp, rising to 180 hp | factory heritage figures for early and later cars |
| Ignition | Twin distributors and coils | two spark plugs per cylinder |
| Fuel supply | Twin SU electric pumps |  |
| Gearbox | 4-speed manual | synchromesh on second, third and fourth; an overdrive ratio arrived in 1938 |

### Chassis

| Label | Value | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wheelbase | 142 in | shorter than the standard Phantom II chassis |
| Front suspension | Independent unequal wishbones | coil springs and hydraulic damping |
| Rear suspension | Live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs |  |
| Brakes | Four-wheel mechanical drums | servo-operated |
| Service equipment | On-board jacking and one-shot lubrication |  |

### Production record

| Label | Value | Note |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production cars | 710 | current Rolls-Royce factory history; registry totals often state 727 chassis including experimental cars |
| Body delivery | Into the 1940s | coachbuilding continued after chassis production stopped; the last completed car was delivered in 1947 |
| Survivors | Approximately 650 | published registry estimate, not a factory audit |

### Phantom III register

3 documented · public records only. Private, unpublished and member-only chassis files are omitted.

| Year | Chassis | Colour | Provenance | Last public sale | File |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1939 | 3 DL 118 |  | Published auction record from RM Sotheby's, 2021-09-05. | $259'163 · RM Sotheby's · 2021-09 | [Chassis file](https://hiconium.dev/vehicles/rolls-royce/phantom-iii?file=3%20DL%20118) |
| 1937 | W68F |  | Published auction record from Mecum, 2025-09-21. | $352'000 · Mecum · 2025-09 | [Chassis file](https://hiconium.dev/vehicles/rolls-royce/phantom-iii?file=W68F) |
| 1937 | 3BT149 |  | Published auction record from Gooding Christie's, 2022-08-20. | $207'200 · Gooding Christie's · 2022-08 | [Chassis file](https://hiconium.dev/vehicles/rolls-royce/phantom-iii?file=3BT149) |

## The people behind the car

### [Henry Royce](https://hiconium.dev/people/henry-royce)

Founding engineer and project contributor · Rolls-Royce

![Portrait of Henry Royce](https://hiconium.dev/images/cars/rollsroyce-phantom-iii/people/henry-royce.jpg)

Worked on the Phantom III programme during its early development before his death in 1933.

## Member instruments

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