A 1936 Rolls-Royce once used by Winston Churchill, royalty and a host of military leaders during World War II is coming up for sale.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom III was owned by Field Marshall Montgomery and it was used to transport Churchill, King George VI and General Eisenhower between meetings as they prepared for the World War II D-Day landings.
This “special” car has a guide price of £180,000 but is expected to sell for much more because of its huge historical significance.
Rolls-Royce fitted with cigar lighter for Churchill
The Roll-Royce even has a cigar lighter fitted in the rear passenger compartment for Churchill’s personal use and comes complete with documents authenticating its historical pedigree.
Liveried in green and black, the car was initially owned by the head of the Talbot Motor Company before being requisitioned by the War Office.
After D-Day it was allocated to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
After hostilities, the car was shipped to Malaya and in recent years it has been in the hands of a private owner.
It will be auctioned by Bonhams later today (Wednesday, December 6).
Rolls-Royce Phantom III is “really something special”
The auctioneers’ spokesman Tim Schofield said: “Any Rolls-Royce is a sight to behold, but one with such historical significance is really something special to be offering.
“We pride ourselves on offering motor cars with the very best provenance. A car that has been used by Monty, Eisenhower, George VI and Churchill has to be up there with the very best.
“The Phantom was a landmark design for Rolls-Royce, and is widely considered the most outstanding luxury car of the 1930s.
“Since its use during the war, the car has been displayed at several military events, including one at Southwick House where D-Day was planned in 1944.”
Phantom III “a landmark design for Rolls-Royce”
The Rolls-Royce Phantom III was a landmark design and the company’s first V12 engine model.
It recently had a full engine rebuild and had overdrive fitted for effective modern road driving.
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