Built in 1936, this limousine played a key role during World War II, serving as the personal staff car for Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in the months leading up to the D-Day landings. Known for its involvement in high-level military planning, the car also transported some of the most influential figures of the war—including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, King George VI, and U.S. General (and future President) Dwight D. Eisenhower.
One particularly notable feature of the car is an electric cigar lighter installed in the rear seat specifically for Churchill.
Historics Auctioneers, who are handling the sale, describe the car as having a "unique connection to the military and political leadership of World War II.” They’ve given it a guide price of £115,000 to £130,000, although it last sold at auction in 2017 for £143,750—suggesting that estimate may be on the low side.
Originally owned by Talbot Motor Company CEO Frederick Wilcock, the car was requisitioned by the Ministry of War when the Second World War broke out. Montgomery, often referred to as "Monty", used the vehicle for transport between his homes and to key locations such as Southwick House near Portsmouth, where D-Day plans were finalised.
Painted in British Racing Green and black, the Phantom III earned the nickname “The Green Car”—a departure from the typical black Rolls-Royces Montgomery used.
After the war, the car continued in military service, eventually being assigned to U.S. Air Force General Carl Spaatz. During that time, a U.S. Army fuel tanker accidentally backed into it, but the damage was repaired.
In the 1950s, the car was sold to a rubber plantation owner in Malaya and shipped to Penang. Due to the Suez Crisis, the journey required the car to be driven across Europe to Italy, shipped to Africa, and then sent from Cape Town to its final destination.
This Phantom III is one of just 710 produced before WWII halted production. Fewer than 300 remain today. It was also the first Rolls-Royce to feature a V12 engine—a 7.3-litre unit known for its smooth performance and exceptional refinement. At the time, it set a new standard for luxury motoring.
Although it’s seen limited use in recent years, the car remains in impressive condition. Its engine was rebuilt several years ago and now includes an overdrive unit to improve drivability on modern roads. In 2017, it underwent significant servicing by Cheshire Classic Cars, costing over £11,000, which included an engine service, new exhaust, and an updated carburettor.
In 2014, the vehicle returned to Southwick House for a commemorative event marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It was joined by Winston Churchill’s grandson, Patrick Churchill, and Montgomery’s granddaughter, Lady Arabella Stuart-Smith. The occasion reinforced the car’s legacy as a historic artefact.
The Phantom III comes with a detailed history file, including its original wartime requisition letter, a V5C registration document, and a fitted toolkit. Historics Auctioneers call it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for collectors interested in automotive or wartime history.
