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Rolls-Royce Phantom III
(1936 - 1939)

Rolls-Royce Phantom III, 1936, #3AX193, James Young Drophead Coupé. The overall production figure of the R-R Phantom III is known for sure to be 727 (do forget the erroneously given figures elsewhere). Several thousand of this R-R Phantom III do exist however because this is the one which was used as a pattern for the toy car by Solido.

Rolls-Royce announced its first - and until the advent of the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in 1998 - their only V-12 powered car in late 1935. The engine being acclaimed as silky smooth then gave the car exceptional acceleration but in the meantime has earned a reputation of being a sort of Achilles' heel... Though the company had many years' experience developing V12 aero engines they had taken their time before introducing this configuration into their motor car production. The 7,338 cc V12 power unit had overhead valves operated by a single camshaft in the angle of the vee. Independent front suspension to a design from General Motors was a new feature too and the particularly compact engine could be arranged in more forward position allowing greater space for bodywork than the previous Phantom II. Due to its rather complicated construction any prospective purchaser should obey "Fair Warning": Restoration of a neglected R-R Phantom III is a difficult and expensive venture (..."the loudest noise at 60 mph is your bank manager's heartbeat"...)
Anyone interested in the Phantom III should consider a membership in the Phantom III Technical Society.

Technical Data:
V12 engine, aluminium alloy cylinder block, cast iron wet cylinder liners; bore x stroke 82.5 x 114.3 mm (3 1/4 x 4 1/2 in), capacity 7,338 cc; aluminium alloy cylinder heads; overhead valves, dual ignition with 2 coils and 2 distributors; single dry plate type clutch; 4 speed gearbox, synchromesh on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear (from 1938, overdrive-gearbox); hypoid bevel final drive; independent front suspension with coil springs, semi-elliptic springs rear; 4-wheel-brakes servo assisted; wheelbase 3,606.8 mm (142 in); tyre size 7.00 x 18, optional tyre size 7.50 x 18 (from 1938 tyre size 5.00 18)

Rolls-Royce Phantom III, 1936, #3AX65. Van den Plas (Brussels, Belgium) Imperial Limousine de Ville.

No. made:
727 Rolls-Royce Phantom III