FIELD MARSHAL MONTGOMERY’S PHANTOM III
Launched in 1936, the Rolls-Royce Phantom III holds a distinguished place in the marque’s storied history. As the first Rolls-Royce to feature a V12 engine, it set a precedent for future models and embodied the pinnacle of luxury and performance for its time. Despite its groundbreaking design and technical advancements, production ceased in 1939, leaving a legacy of what might have been. It was also Sir Henry Royce’s last major design, completed posthumously following his death in 1933. His visionary engineering principles continue to influence Rolls-Royce cars to this day.
By 1930, Sir Henry Royce recognized that his in-line six-cylinder engines were reaching their limits in power and torque. Faced with increasing competition from American luxury car manufacturers, Royce sought to create a more powerful and sophisticated engine. Leveraging his experience with V12 aero engines, Royce and his team developed a new V12 engine for the Phantom III, a successor to the Phantom II.
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM III SEDANCA DE VILLE BY HJ MULLINER
The new V12 engine represented a significant advancement, offering improved performance and efficiency. With a displacement of 7.3 liters compared to the Phantom II’s 7.6 liters, the engine was more compact, allowing for a shorter bonnet and more spacious passenger compartment. Initial versions produced 165 horsepower, increasing to 180 horsepower in later models. This new engine, paired with an advanced chassis featuring independent front suspension, dramatically improved ride comfort and steering control.
The Phantom III’s chassis design included numerous innovations to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness, creating one of the quietest and smoothest rides of the 1930s. With lightweight coachwork, the Phantom III could reach speeds of 100 miles per hour, showcasing its impressive performance.
ROLLS-ROYCE 30EX, EXPERIMENTAL PHANTOM III ‘SPECTRE’ CAR (1934-7)
Although Royce saw experimental versions of the engine completed, he passed away in April 1933 before the first test cars were ready. The production Phantom III was introduced in August 1936, with 710 examples built before Rolls-Royce ceased car production in 1939. The final Phantom III was delivered in June 1940.
ROLLS-ROYCE 30EX, EXPERIMENTAL PHANTOM III ‘SPECTRE’ CAR (1934-7)
With the onset of World War II, Rolls-Royce shifted its focus to models better suited to the changing times. Despite its brief production run, the Phantom III’s technical brilliance and design influence extended well beyond its era, laying the groundwork for future Rolls-Royce models. Its legacy endures in every V12-powered Rolls-Royce produced today, reflecting the excellence and visionary engineering of the Phantom III and its creator.
Source: Rolls-Royce
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1938 PHANTOM III