1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III All-Weather Cabriolet (H.J. Mulliner coachwork)
- Engine
- 7.3L OHV V12 with dual ignition, 165 bhp
- Colour
- Metallic pewter grey
Rolls-Royce Phantom III chassis 3DL56, the sole example of the model originally registered in Ireland, was delivered in November 1938 to Dr. William Lombard Murphy of Dublin. In the early 1950s its original Hooper limousine body was replaced by an H.J. Mulliner all-weather cabriolet body, reportedly inspired by the coachwork made for General Franco's Phantom IV. After passing through several notable British and American owners, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration in the mid-2000s by P&A Wood in England and L'Cars in Wisconsin, subsequently winning Best in Class at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Most Sensitive Restoration at the 2007 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$396,000
- 1938-11-05 → 1948-07-01Factory deliveryDr. William Lombard Murphyfull documentation
Son of prominent Irish industrialist William Martin Murphy; first registered owner in Ireland. Believed to have exchanged the car for a newer vehicle when selling.
- 1948 → 1955Private saleR.H. Gregorypartial documentation
London-based owner who replaced the original Hooper limousine body with a new H.J. Mulliner all-weather cabriolet, at a cost roughly three times what he paid for the chassis. Later exchanged the car for a Bentley S1 Continental via Jack Barclay.
- 1955-05-06 → 1957-01-13Private saleArthur Toltonfull documentation
Well-regarded Rolls-Royce and Bentley collector who kept the car at his Isle of Wight residence. Purchased through Jack Barclay in London.
- 1957-01-13 → 1980Private saleFrank G. Allen Jr.full documentation
Boston-based American Rolls-Royce collector who imported the car to the United States; retained it for over two decades.
- 1980 → 2003Private saleHaig Yardumianpartial documentation
Land developer who kept the car in largely original, unrestored state for nearly twenty-five years.
- 2003 →Private saleJ.W. Milleganfull documentation
Lake Oswego, Oregon owner who commissioned a comprehensive restoration through P&A Wood in England and subsequently L'Cars in Wisconsin, then exhibited the car at several major concours events before passing it on.
- Date unknownPrivate saleOrin Smithpartial documentation
Long-term custodian following Millegan; continued to show the car at events including a 2014 concours appearance.
Competition
- 2005Rolls-Royce Owners' Club Annual MeetingRROC Annual MeetClass winner, achieved prior to restoration completion
Car was shown while restoration was still underway, having been prepared initially by P&A Wood in England.
- 20062006 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Exhibited by J.W. Millegan following completion of the full restoration.
- 20072007 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'EsteMost Sensitive Restoration, as awarded by the jury
Car also received its FIVA A-3 classification at this event.
- 2007Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club Annual Meeting2007 RREC Annual Meeting1st in Class and Phantom III Trophy
- 2014Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-a-LagoExcellence in Class
Shown under Orin Smith's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1948BodyworkH.J. Mulliner
Original Hooper limousine coachwork removed and replaced with a new all-weather cabriolet body, number 5149, built by H.J. Mulliner; the design drew on the body Mulliner created for General Franco's Phantom IV and featured covered side-mounted spares, long flowing fenders, partial spats, and a Hooper-style turtle-deck rear.
The cost of the new coachwork was reportedly three times the price paid for the used chassis.
- 2005RestorationP&A Wood
Initial restoration work begun in England, preparing the car for participation in the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club Annual Event and a countryside tour.
Work was only partially completed at this stage; the car was subsequently shipped to the United States for further restoration.
- 2005RestorationL'Cars
Comprehensive completion of the restoration: coachwork fully dismantled and stripped, necessary repairs carried out, primed, and finished in metallic pewter grey believed to be the original colour; woodwork refinished, interior retrimmed in grey leather, soft top replaced, all hardware disassembled and replated, and the engine completely rebuilt.
Carried out by Bob Lorkowski of L'Cars in Cameron, Wisconsin, following the initial preparatory work done in England.
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