Rolls-Royce Phantom III gallery (1936–1939)

Launched in 1936, the Rolls-Royce Phantom III represented an ambitious technological leap forward for the brand. It was powered by the marque's first production 7.3-litre 60-degree V12 engine, constructed with an aluminium-alloy cylinder block and crankcase, overhead valves, and hydraulic zero-lash tappets that delivered whisper-quiet operation and immense low-end torque. Another groundbreaking feature was the introduction of independent front suspension based on a General Motors unequal-wishbone design with coil springs enclosed in oil-filled damping units, providing unprecedented ride smoothness. Power was delivered to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on second, third, and fourth gears. As before, Rolls-Royce supplied a rolling chassis to bespoke coachbuilders like Hooper, Park Ward, and Freestone & Webb, who created palatial limousine and town car bodies. Production ceased in 1939 due to the outbreak of World War II, making the Phantom III one of the rarest, most complex, and prestigious pre-war flagships ever built.