1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III two-door pillarless saloon by Vesters et Neirinck
- Colour
- Prussian blue and medium blue two-tone
A 1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III on chassis 3CP144, bodied as a pillarless two-door saloon by Brussels coachbuilders Vester et Neirinck in the manner of Letourneur et Marchand, featuring an uninterrupted roofline, extended hood louvers, and factory-unique Smiths tachometer. Exhibited at the 1938 Brussels Motor Show, the car passed through the hands of Belgian royalty, British Army officers, and notable American public figures before a marque-specialist restoration in the early 1990s produced its current Prussian Blue livery, subsequently earning first-in-class honours at Pebble Beach in 1995.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$593,500
- 1938-05-07 →Factory deliveryJean Francquifull documentation
First registered owner; car was specially ordered and delivered directly following its Brussels Motor Show debut.
- 1945 →Acquisition unknownBritish Army of the Rhinepartial documentation
Vehicle was commandeered or otherwise taken up by occupying British forces and assigned to General Sir Charles F. Keightley's use.
- 1958 →Private saleMr. Derrikspartial documentation
German civilian buyer; first known private owner after military service.
- 1992 →Acquisition unknownDouglas McCorkindalepartial documentation
Commissioned a full marque-specialist restoration completed by 1994, resulting in the current Prussian Blue and grey leather livery; showed the car at major US concours events in 1995.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownKing of Belgiumnone documentation
Wartime association is unconfirmed rumor only; no documentary evidence cited.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownField Marshal Bernard Montgomerynone documentation
Wartime association is unconfirmed rumor only; no documentary evidence cited.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownAmerican enthusiast owners, both coastsnone documentation
Multiple unnamed US-based enthusiast custodians following the car's transatlantic move; no individual names or precise dates given.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownG. Gordon Liddypartial documentation
Registered the car in Arizona with a personalized Watergate-themed plate; sold it toward the end of the 1980s.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCharles Nelson Reillypartial documentation
Purchased from Liddy; American comedic actor and television personality of the 1970s.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent long-term collector ownerpartial documentation
Has held the car for approximately two decades; retains original tools and factory build records.
Competition
- 19381938 Brussels Motor ShowExhibited on coachbuilder's stand
Car was displayed by Vesters et Neirinck prior to delivery to its first owner.
- 19951995 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance1st in Class
Shown following restoration completed in 1994; entered under Douglas McCorkindale's ownership.
- 19951995 Rolls-Royce Owners' Club National Meet1st in Class
Won top class honors at the same year as the Pebble Beach victory, also during McCorkindale's custodianship.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1994RestorationRolls-Royce marque specialists (unnamed)
Comprehensive restoration carried out by Rolls-Royce marque specialists on behalf of Douglas McCorkindale, completed to concours standard. Car was finished in Prussian Blue over medium blue with a grey leather and polished walnut interior.
Work spanned from 1992 to 1994; the car was described as largely original and complete prior to this restoration.
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