Beschreibung:

1938 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III LIMOUSINE COACHWORK BY HOOPER & CO. Registration No. Not UK registered Chassis No. 3 CM 105 Engine No. Q 38 M Black over green with black leather/fabric upholstery Engine: V12, pushrod overhead valves, 7338cc, single downdraught double choke carburettor; Gearbox: manual four-speed, synchromesh on top three ratios; Suspension: independent front by wishbones with coil springs, rear live axle with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: servo assisted four-wheel drum. Right hand drive. The Phantom III was never intended to be an outright sporting car and relatively few were built with open or owner-driver bodies. Rather it was meant to provide the most modern handling and ride qualities, while carrying dignified formal coachwork. Even so burdened (weight could be around 2.5 tons) the great car's performance was praiseworthy. Testing a PIII limousine, The Autocar's road-testers saw almost 92mph and quoted a 0-60mph time of 16.8 secs. Coachwork varied in style, from modern-looking "razor-edge" outlines, to frankly conservative shapes, more 1928 than 1938. But even those had a certain presence and with independent front wheel suspension permitting the engine to be further forward than on previous Phantoms, leg-room and space for occasionals in the rear compartment was greater than ever. J Spedan-Lewis of Stockbridge ordered this new Phantom III to be fitted with the enclosed Limousine coachwork that the car carries today. The build sheets for the car do not mention many specific details though the coachwork featured a tool tray under the driving front bench seat and occasional seats to the rear compartment. No subsequent owners are noted until 1964 when the Rolls is recorded as being in Doncaster, Australia. It was bought by the present owner in Australia and it may well be that the car has only had three owners from new. Certainly all owners have preserved rather than restored the car and although perhaps not the most flattering compliment to Hooper's styling, there is evidence to suggest that the car spent some time as a taxi. This is supported by the apparent removal of a luggage rack from the roof and steps to reach it in the side of the front bench seat. A largely unspoilt example, it is almost certain that the paintwork is generally original as is the interior to both front and rear which retains the fitment of occasional seats, blinds and roof nets. An upright Thirties Phantom, of some charm, and worthy of sympathetic restoration