Rolls-Royce Phantom III Touring, 1936
Rolls-Royce Phantom III
Rolls-Royce Phantom III•
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Chassis No.: 3-AZ-186
Engine No.: W24-D
Registration: DGY 1
Sold
- Chauffeur driven car for Field Marshal Montgomery during WWII
- HM King George VI, Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower were driven in this car
- The Phantom III was the only pre-war Rolls-Royce powered by a V12 engine
- Incredible history file and highly interesting provenance
- Fitted with overdrive
- Chauffeur driven car for Field Marshal Montgomery during WWII
- HM King George VI, Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower were driven in this car
- The Phantom III was the only pre-war Rolls-Royce powered by a V12 engine
- Incredible history file and highly interesting provenance
- Fitted with overdrive
We are pleased to present a truly remarkable automobile – the 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Touring Limousine by Freestone & Webb, chassis number 3-AZ-186. A total of only 710 Phantom IIIs were built before production ceased due to the war, and today, fewer than 300 examples are thought to remain worldwide. This stunning car, famed for its smooth-running 7,338cc V12 engine and unparalleled luxury, is far more than a testament to the marque’s engineering prowess. It is an extraordinary piece of history, with direct connections to some of the most iconic figures of the Second World War, including Field Marshal Montgomery and Winston Churchill.
The story of this Phantom III begins in 1936, when it was initially owned by Frederick Wilcock, the CEO of the Talbot Motor Company. At the outbreak of World War II, the car was requisitioned by the Ministry of War’s Transport Section for use by Field Marshal Montgomery, the commanding officer of the British Eighth Army. Montgomery, famously known as “Monty,” used the Rolls-Royce as his personal staff car during the war. The vehicle became known as the ‘Green Car’ due to its unique British Racing Green and black livery, a change from Montgomery’s usual black Rolls-Royces.
Montgomery used the Phantom III extensively, travelling between his homes in Virginia Water, Surrey, and London, as well as during his time at Southwick House near Portsmouth in the crucial months leading up to the D-Day invasion of Europe. This car was part of the tight security and secrecy surrounding those meetings. In fact, Montgomery’s car carried not only him but also high-ranking military figures, including General and 34th President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and HM King George VI. A particularly fascinating detail is the custom electric cigar lighter fitted in the rear compartment for Churchill's personal use, still in place today.
After the Allied victory in Europe, the Phantom III’s service continued. It was reassigned to the Chief of Staff of the United States Army Air Force, General Carl Spaatz. Unfortunately, while in American hands, it suffered some damage when an American fuel tanker backed into it, the damage that was subsequently repaired. In the 1950s, during the Suez Crisis, the car was purchased by a rubber-planter in Malaya and shipped to Penang. Given the closure of the Suez Canal, it was driven through Italy and shipped from Capetown to its new home in Malaya.
By this time, the Phantom III had already earned a reputation as one of Rolls-Royce’s finest models, powered by the iconic V12 engine, unique to the Phantom III and the only Rolls-Royce to be powered by a V12 until the Silver Seraph arrived in 1998. Known for its smoothness, near-silent operation, and extraordinary torque, the Phantom III set a benchmark for luxury motoring in its day. Although the car had faced mechanical challenges in more remote regions, its engine was rebuilt several years ago and remains in superb condition. It now benefits from the fitment of overdrive, enhancing its refinement for modern road use.
The car was serviced at Cheshire Classic Cars in 2017 at a cost of around £11,000 plus VAT, work consisted of a comprehensive engine service, a new exhaust system, and an alloy carburettor to replace the fragile Mazak original. In more recent years, the car has seen very little use, so some recommissioning would be recommended but the engine ran very smoothly during our photography, with some coughs from the exhaust, possibly due to either old fuel or an exhaust leak.
In 2014, DGY 1 was driven back to Southwick House for a commemorative event marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Present at the event were prominent figures such as Patrick Churchill, Winston Churchill’s grandson, and Lady Arabella Stuart-Smith, Montgomery’s granddaughter. The car’s participation in this event, along with its mention in various media outlets, solidified its status as an important historical artifact.
The extensive history file for this vehicle is a testament to its remarkable past, including its original wartime requisition letter. The file also contains numerous old logbooks, a huge amount of correspondence during the 1960’s when Mr Wilcock’s Son was trying to track down and purchase the car, writing to several owners trying to chase the car, but often just missing it after it had been sold, photographs, and further documentation detailing the car's fascinating ‘second life’ after the war. This 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III (DGY 1) is a rare and historically significant motorcar, offering a unique connection to the military and political leadership of World War II.
It is a true collector’s piece, preserved in remarkable, possibly original, condition and benefitting from a well-documented provenance. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, this Phantom III is a must-see for any serious collector of automotive or wartime history. Supplied to auction with V5C registration document, highly detailed history folder and fitted toolkit in the boot, this Phantom III would be welcome at many top-level events and deserves to be shown around the world. Consigned by Fraser Smith
