1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Special Henley Coupe

As the 1930s advanced, multi-cylinder V-12 powerplants were seen in Cadillac, Packard, and Pierce-Arrow motorcars, as well as in Lagondas in the UK. Then Rolls-Royce upped its game, drawing a line in the sand with the introduction of its own V-12-powered Phantom. It was truly the last word in prewar technology. ‌ This majestic Phantom III encapsulates the character of the 1930s and the discerning clientele to whom it appealed. Its presentation today, following an exhaustive restoration, places it in a condition that has received the highest accolades and is likely even finer than when it was delivered new. Its story began nearly 90 years ago, when in June 1937, chassis 3CP124 left the UK aboard the SS Carinthia, bound for Rolls-Royce agents and coachbuilders J.S. Inskip Inc. of New York. Its buyer was Mrs. Margaret Dunlop of Locust Avenue, Amsterdam, New York, a longtime Rolls-Royce and Inskip client. This was her sixth Rolls-Royce, following a Springfield-built Ghost and two Phantoms, as well as a British-built Phantom and 20/25 HP. The widow of Scottish immigrant David L. Dunlop, Mrs. Dunlop’s wealth stemmed from Mohawk Carpet Mills, later Mohasco Industries Inc., affording her a lifestyle that included ownership of the “Best Car in the World.” ‌ Inskip was initially instructed to provide a chauffeur-driven sedan with a divider. However, by 1940, and in keeping with design and user trends, Mrs. Dunlop wanted an owner/driver format, and returned the car to Inskip to create something more modern, stylish, and sociable. The result was this Special Henley Coupe, incorporating many of Rolls’ up-to-date features and styling, including the dished fender treatment of late Henley Roadsters. From December 1940 to late 1946, when she eventually parted with the car, Mrs. Dunlop would likely have been seen touring New York in this handsome sports coupe. Inskip resold the car that year to Walter J. Noonan of Boston. Following his passing, it changed hands again the following year, first to L.W. Bickford and then to Frederick C. Palmer of East Haddam, Connecticut. Throughout this period, Inskip continued to handle the car’s maintenance, including a repaint at its workshops in the early 1950s. Much of this work is documented in copies of Inskip’s records from the period, and the car was even photographed at Inskip for inclusion in John Webb de Campi’s book Rolls-Royce in America. Always making a statement, the Phantom III was chosen to depict the marque in the 1958 issue of True’s Automobile Yearbook as well as on the cover of Dan R. Post’s book, Rolls-Royce: An Album of Sales and Institutional Literature, Volume I: The British Rolls, and is even one of a selection of the marque shown in an article in Playboy magazine in April 1958. In this same period, following its refurbishment, the Phantom III was awarded the Gold Cup and First Place at a Rolls-Royce national meet. It was then acquired by Thomas Kilbane, before moving to James Stickley’s well-respected collection of both Rolls and Bentley marques. Its next custodian was Fred Brown, who, when he parted with the car in 1973, noted it to have covered a mere 48,000 miles. Raymond Gilbrech of Arkansas was its new custodian, then noted trader Charles Crail. In 1990, the Dunlop Phantom III briefly returned to the UK before moving to Continental Europe and into the ownership of Leif and Martin Wiren of Stockholm, Sweden. From 2009 to 2011, it was owned by the well-known Belgian collector, George Howitt. In 2011, the car appeared in a Gooding & Company auction and was acquired by Lord Bamford, the Chairman of JCB, the world-famous engineering business. A noted car collector for more than 50 years, Lord Bamford’s stable includes some of the most important sports racing cars of all time, as well as numerous important prewar and luxury cars. Wishing to return the car to its former glory, and to a standard befitting the other examples in his collection, Lord Bamford initially shipped it to P & A Wood in the UK, where restoration work commenced alongside his Vanvooren-bodied Phantom III. When it became clear that the Vanvooren project would be extended, the car was transferred to nearby Clark & Carter Restorations Ltd in Braintree, Essex. ‌ There, this example was completely disassembled, with every element rebuilt or renewed, even down to the chassis itself. For a car as complex as the Phantom III, this was a monumental undertaking, and the exhaustive process ultimately spanned eight years, with invoices totaling more than $2,000,000. Importantly, the restoration extended beyond the cosmetics to the complex mechanical systems – an aspect rarely undertaken to this degree, and one that can leave many examples suffering from deferred maintenance. Such was not the case with this Phantom III: its running gear and cooling systems were extensively refurbished, allowing the car to be experienced as intended when new. Aesthetically, the restoration was equally exacting, with mirror-finished paint and brightwork complemented by an exquisite interior. When the original interior fabric was found to be no longer available, a new batch was specially woven to replicate it. ‌ With the resources available to ensure the correctness of every aspect that was restored, replicated, sourced, or remade, the result was – and remains – absolutely stunning. Impressed by the quality of the restoration, Lord Bamford entered the car at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. Competing in a class that included examples of both Brewster Derby Speedster and York Roadster coachwork, the Phantom III earned First in Class as well as the Lucius Beebe Trophy for Best Pre-War Rolls-Royce. Despite its success, this did not trigger a tour of similar events. After returning to the UK, it was shown just once more at the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance in 2020, where it once again won its class. Carefully maintained within Lord Bamford’s esteemed collection, and benefiting from an extensive service by Clark & Carter earlier this year, the Inskip stands today in exceptional technical and cosmetic order. The Inskip Coupe now returns to Manhattan, just blocks away from where Mrs. Dunlop collected the car in 1937. For anyone seeking the absolute zenith of prewar luxury, this Phantom III represents a remarkable opportunity. Its design and quality are evident in every detail, rewarding each viewing with fresh discoveries. Not shown in America since its Pebble Beach debut, its exceptional presentation and distinguished history make it a compelling candidate for the Concours lawns in the coming season. car

Estimate:$650,000

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