1938 Phantom III Sports Saloon by Thrupp & Maberly

Factory Specifications & Design

Chassis #3CM163 was completed at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby on 28 January 1938, fitted with engine number P48N. Designed specifically for high-speed touring on the Continent, it featured a dual-calibrated speedometer (in both miles and kilometres) and a petrol gauge displaying both gallons and litres.

• Original Steering Configuration: Set to middle E position, later adjusted to low F position with a 2-inch steering column extension
• Chassis Cost: £1,522.11.0 (after a 20% discount from the standard price of £1,900)

On 31 January 1938, the bare chassis was transported to Thrupp & Maberly, the renowned British coachbuilders. The unique coachwork designed for this car is considered one of the most striking ever created for a Phantom III.

A Bespoke and Elegant Coachwork

The final saloon body, built to drawing SLS.1348/A, was assigned body number 6805. Key design features included:

• Exterior Finish: Black paintwork with a fine white accent line highlighting the body mouldings
• Windscreen: Split windscreen with an opening driver’s side section
• Audio System: American Bosch car radio
• Interior Upholstery: Luxurious brown leather throughout
• Wheel Details: Notably, the car was not fitted with wheel discs

First Owner: Major Henry Herbert Ronald White

The chassis was ordered on 6 December 1937 by Rootes Ltd. of London (owners of Thrupp & Maberly) for delivery to Warwick Wright Ltd., an automotive dealership. The final purchaser was Major Henry Herbert Ronald White (born 9 February 1879), an Irish soldier residing at Lough Castle, County Donegal.

White also owned a Bentley 3½-litre B110FB, another Thrupp & Maberly saloon. His Phantom III was completed on 23 March 1938 and registered in London on 30 April under registration EXV770. The car was even featured in Country Life magazine on 11 June 1938.

Unfortunately, White passed away on 12 March 1939, leading to the sale of the car just two months later, on 14 May 1939, for £1,700 to Mr. A.E. Bond of Birmingham.

Subsequent Ownership & Wartime Sales

• Jack Barclay Ltd. (London Rolls-Royce Dealer): Shortly after acquiring the car, they resold it to Semape Limited for £2,300.
• Commander Cecil Harcourt-Smith (Royal Navy): Purchased the car in September 1939 for £1,490, alongside a Phantom II for £75. At this point, the car had covered 11,300 miles.

Post-War Ownership & Restorations

The car continued to change hands over the years:

• July 1947: Purchased by James Cadman of Staffordshire
• June 1948: Acquired by L. Arrowsmith of Whitmore, near Newcastle
• October 1950: Entered the collection of Brigadier J.R.N. Moore (British Empire Steel Products, London)
• May 1954: Sold to K.G. Moss (Cambridge)
• 1985: Ownership transferred to B.J. Dubas (Cambridge)

By December 1986, the car was back in London for sale, where it had been repainted in burgundy with white accents.

In June 1997, it was offered for sale again, now featuring a maroon and black color scheme.

Present Condition & Dutch Ownership

Since 2002, the Phantom III has been in the Netherlands, where it remains in remarkably well-preserved original condition. The car retains its:

• Original brown leather interior
• Older yet still presentable paintwork

This historically significant Rolls-Royce remains a striking example of pre-war automotive craftsmanship, blending elegance, performance, and exclusivity in a way only Rolls-Royce could achieve.