Chassis No. 3BT149
Engine No. E58X

Among the myriad coachbuilding companies that dotted England throughout the early 20th century, it was Barker & Co. who had an especially strong relationship with the finest automobile manufacturer in the country. Of course, that manufacturer could be none other than Rolls-Royce, and with the advent of the Phantom III in 1936 with its 142-inch wheelbase, a chance to prove themselves yet again with a chassis specifically designed for custom coachwork. Naturally, the pre-war Rolls-Royce is more than a styling exercise and the Phantom III offered its fair share of technical achievements. Most notably powerful 7.3-liter aluminum alloy V12 engine offering ability to approach 100 miles per hour typically garners the headlines yet the four-speed transmission with synchromesh in the top three gears and a suspension with driver-controlled hydraulic shock absorbers is certainly more than noteworthy.

It is likely that all the above appealed to Thomas John Hughes upon placing an order for a new Phantom III clothed in custom Sedanca de Ville coachwork by Barker & Co. Certainly, his 22-year ownership lasting well through The Blitz until May 1959 serves as further evidence of his love for the car. That spring, the car was traded to London Rolls-Royce dealer Paddon Brothers, who subsequently sold it to Mills B. Lane, a colorful American bank president and prolific collector of classic cars from Atlanta, Georgia. Rather than bring his new Phantom III stateside, Lane kept it in England registered on British number plate “WYF III” earning it the nickname “The Third Wife.” While in England, Paddon Brothers performed a cosmetic restoration on it with a color change influenced by famous automotive designer Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky. Additional work included retrofitting 3BT149 with a spare wheel and tire with a carrier on the passenger side, and the installation of an Everflex removable front-roof cover.

Featuring de Sakhnoffsky's colors, 3BT149 was exhibited by Lane at a Rolls-Royce rally held at Blenheim Palace, and shortly thereafter exported to the United States in 1961. By 1967 the car joined the collection of Rolls-Royce expert collector and former RROC President William Maxwell “Bill” Davis. Retained and cared for by Davis for the next 55 years, the Phantom III took part in CCCA touring events, featured at various concours d'elegance and RROC events, and appeared in print publications such as The Flying Lady and CCCA's The Classic Car.

Cherished by just three devoted owners and well-maintained throughout its history, 3BT149 has since acquired a charming patina. It comes with most of its original tool kit intact and extensive documentation verifying its exceptional provenance. Crucially, service records from mid-2022 note that the V12 engine operates well, with evidence at the time indicating the critical cooling system is in good health. What was once, according to Rolls-Royce, “eminently suited to long distance journeys” is, of course, much more than that today. For those willing to indulge in a coachbuilt example of what is agreed to be among the most attractive and most well-maintained Rolls-Royce Phantom IIIs extant, a future of leisurely classic tours or relaxed exhibitions that so suit its flowing Barker & Co. Sedanca de Ville coachwork await.