1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Barker Fixed Head Coupé

3BU2roadUnited Kingdom

Engine: V12
Colour: Black with burgundy accents

Chassis 3BU2 is one of only three Rolls-Royce Phantom IIIs bodied by Barker as fixed-head coupés, and uniquely configured as a two-seater with a rear dickey seat, rear-mounted spare, and minimal chrome embellishment. Delivered new in March 1937 to Frances Bell at her Long Island estate, the car later passed through several American owners before an engine rebuild by Dennison-Jayne and subsequent West Coast ownership. It presents today in a black-over-burgundy older restoration with a leather interior and period-correct fittings.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$196,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1937-03-01 →Factory delivery
Frances Bell
full documentation
Original US-delivery owner, took delivery at her family estate on Long Island; the car appears in a published reference work showing it as delivered.
1963 →Acquisition unknown
Derry Mallalieu
partial documentation
Dealer in Connecticut with whom the car was recorded in 1963.
1978 →Acquisition unknown
Roland Matson
partial documentation
Date unknown
F.P. Price
partial documentation
Connecticut-based architect with a Manhattan office; car appears to have stayed in the Connecticut region during his tenure.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Murray Dewar
partial documentation
Melbourne-based owner who held the car during the 1990s and early 2000s; despite his Australian base the car remained on the US East Coast, and a major engine rebuild was carried out at significant cost under his ownership.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Gordon Wangers
partial documentation
Prominent West Coast enthusiast who retained the car for several years before it entered the current collection.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Current collection
partial documentation

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Engine rebuild
Dennison-Jayne
Full engine rebuild carried out at a reported cost of $150,000, undertaken while the car was owned by Murray Dewar.
Work took place during the 1990s or early 2000s ownership period; cost figure reported rather than documented.

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