1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Newmarket Faux Cabriolet

When Charles Rolls and Henry Royce set about creating their automotive venture, their goal was to deliver the most reliable motorcar ever. The Phantom III was revealed in 1936 and defined 'state-of-the-art' as a mechanical marvel — its V-12 engine employed advanced materials including a skeleton cylinder block with wet liners and aluminum alloy cylinder heads, capable of 165 HP rising quickly to 185 HP and easily exceeding 100 MPH. Britain's entry into WWII retired the Phantom III with just 710 examples produced; Rolls-Royce researchers estimate just over 300 survive today.

This example, 3BT129, was ordered new by New Haven, Connecticut industrialist Frederick F. Brewster — a member of the Brewster body family — who had the attractive Newmarket Faux Cabriolet body originally created for his 1934 Phantom II, then transferred to this new, more powerful chassis. With a low roof, raked windscreen, long tail, and a scalloped hood extending to the windscreen, it is reported to be the most expensive American Rolls-Royce built in the model year at $31,000.

In 1939 it was sold to ship builder Clarence Rodermond of Ridgewood, New Jersey, then to Clarence Curtiss of Shelton, Connecticut in 1970. After his passing in 2013, Dragone Classic Motorcars completed a concours-quality restoration around 2023, returning it to its original design. Special features include extra-long bullet headlights with Marchal lighting and pop-out air vents in the rear roof.

Finished in deep dark blue with silver-grey accents and red leather interior with tan cloth seating. Took home First in Class at the 2024 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. Acquired by the Grand Rapids Classics Auto Museum in the fall of 2025.