The Rolls-Royce Phantom III, classed as a luxury car,
was the final large pre-war Rolls-Royce. Produced between 1936 and 1939,
only 727 were manufactured and it was the only V12 engined Rolls-Royce
until the 1998 introduction of the Silver Seraph. The Phantom III was
unusual for its twin ignition systems with two distributors, two coils
and 24 spark plugs. Wire wheels were fitted as standard but many models
carried Ace wheel discs fitted to enhance the cosmetic detail but also
to reduce the time taken to clean the wire wheels! The Phantom III came
with a 4-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh on gears 2, 3 and 4. In
1938, Rolls-Royce added an overdrive feature within the gearbox. The
car had 4-wheel servo-assisted brakes applied, while another detail saw
the radiator shell made of Staybrite steel.
Registered TYJ 716, with open driver's section and covered rear
passenger seating. It is decorated in black with chrome exterior finish
to bumpers, wheels and radiator grille. Inside the luxury feel extends
to red carpets and sumptuous pink upholstery and door panels. The door
cappings are brown, the dashboard, instrument panel and steering wheel
are all black but note the detailed silver spokes to the steering wheel.
The signature Rolls-Royce mascot is flying proudly from the front of
the bonnet, which also features the RR logo on the steel triangular
section at the top of the radiator. Note too that Oxford's model comes with
the Ace wheel discs, which were an option on the original.
The Phantom III Sedanca de Ville has made film and TV appearances
too. Remember the villainous Auric Goldfinger and his henchman OddJob?
They drove around in a black and yellow version, safe in the knowledge
that its great strength would take the weight of the gold loot he was
smuggling round Europe