Highlights
- Very rare V12-engined H J Mulliner Phantom III
- Specially built for the 1936 Scottish Motor Show
- Only two registered keepers from new
- Older restoration and engine rebuild
- Dry stored throughout its life on the Isle of Man & still registered there
- Good history file including original order paperwork and all that is needed for UK registration
The Appeal
In the late 1930s, this beautiful Phantom III must have been a very serene place to escape the storm clouds assembling across Europe. With its whisper-quiet 7.3L V12 engine, sleek Mulliner bodywork and hand-tooled limousine interior, there were few better ways to get from your gentleman’s club to your country estate.
All Phantom IIIs were supplied as chassis and mechanicals, ready for a coterie of coachbuilders to complete them to exact customer specifications. This car was specially prepared for the 1936 Scottish Motor Show by H J Mulliner, soon after passing to its first keeper in Edinburgh.
It arrived with its current keeper in the Isle of Man many years ago and has been carefully dry stored and sparingly used. It has therefore covered few miles since a full engine rebuild in the early 1990s and is reported to be in very good mechanical health.
Chassis number 3AX9 is one of only 727 Phantom IIIs built and presents today in good, very tidy condition with a lovely gentle patina across the bodywork and interior. There is scope to lightly improve the seats and perhaps the woodwork, but arguably both show the character of this nearly 90-year-old car.
It is a magnificent work of engineering and craftsmanship and with its interesting provenance would grace any collection.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 20th November 1936
- Only two registered keepers
- Specially prepared for the 1936 Scottish Motor Show
- Subsequently acquired by a keeper in Edinburgh
- Passed to its current Isle of Man keeper in the early 1990s
- Various invoices for work included
- Engine rebuilt in 1991/1992 together with overhaul of the brakes
- Previously painted all black and now two-tone black and burgundy
- Dry stored on the Isle of Man throughout its life
- Original order paperwork from Mulliner and Rolls-Royce as shown
- Old advert from early 1990 showing photo and specification of car
- Book on the model as shown
- Isle of Man registered & has IOM registration certificate
The Condition
- Older restoration in black with maroon trim as shown
- Paintwork generally in good order with some localised marks to note
- These include imperfections such as crazing to nearside rear wing as shown
- Mulliner bespoke bodywork with four doors all rearward hinged
- Bodywork appears solid and tidy with no reported corrosion or damage
- Bodywork is an older restoration so buyers should be realistic about condition
- Car is fitted with fabric roof panel as shown
- Underside appears to be in good order with no reported issues
- Steel wheels with body colour trims in fair condition with some aging and tarnish
- Older Firestone tyres fitted all round appearing in good order considering age
- Chromework in fair condition all round with some tarnish to certain elements
- Grey leather interior in aged condition to certain elements but completed and usable
- The main aging is to the driver’s seat as shown but seat retains shape
- Leather would benefit from some remedial action but also adds to character
- Beautifully hand-finished interior with extensive wood veneers in good order
- Veneers show some age to certain elements including dash but not unsightly
- Carpets, headlining and trim all in good, albeit aged condition
- Original dials and switchgear with no reports of malfunctions
- Features include glass divider, large rear seat and picnic tables
Now handsomely finished in black and maroon, this 1936 Phantom III was originally black, as many of these understated cars were. The repaint is now around 30 years old so shows some age, mainly limited to light deterioration of the paintwork rather than the bodywork itself. The chrome and extensive fittings are generally well kept, albeit with light patina.
The story continues inside where the grey leather has worn in places but the extensive hand-crafted wood veneers and other fittings are generally very presentable. The whole exhibits a sense of history wholly in keeping with this elegant car.
The Mechanics
- Hand-built 7,338cc V12 all aluminium 59bhp engine
- 4spd manual gearbox
- Engine rebuild completed in 1991/92
- Brakes overhauled at same time as engine rebuild
- The vendor informs us that the car runs and drives well with no faults
- Factory tool kit included as shown
The engine beneath this car’s capacious folding bonnet was a revelation for pre-war buyers. The firm’s first V12, it was developed to deliver the sort of imperceptible hum that would enable its rear seat occupants to talk important talk without interruption.
This car’s engine was rebuilt in the early 1990s together with a brake overhaul. The car has covered few miles since and been carefully dry stored by the same keeper so we are confident in the seller’s claim that it runs and drives without fault.
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