1938 Rolls-Royce Phantom III Sedanca de Ville by Hooper and Co

1938 Rolls-Royce Sedanca de Ville by Hooper, Chassis 3CM197 design 7315 appears to be a one off, with its imposing frontal appearance, this Phantom III having the tallest radiator flanked by the iconic P100 headlights was delivered new in 1938 to Hoopers managing Director G. Sclater-Booth.
King Faisal The First was replaced in the early forties by the Prince Regent, until the accession of King Faisal II in 1953. just after taking up his Regency, the new Head of State bought a number of Phantom IIIs. In 1944, he purchased this Hooper Sedanca de Ville, Chassis 3CM 197. It was sent out to Bagdad and did not return until 1953. Design 7315 was painted Black and Brown and featured some typical Hooper touches to the rear compartment which had a concealed front opening roof panel over the driver. The chassis passed off test in 1938 and in almost nine years in Iraq covered around 30,000 miles.
From Iraq 3CM197 found its way to the “Pate museum of transportation” in Cresson Texas U.S.A. before being sold in 2010 to a Private Collector in the U.K. who set about restoring 3CM197 before his untimely passing earlier this year. In his custodianship 3CM197 has been rewired using the correct materials and woods re-polished (unfitted). 3CM197 is the most exotic of the Phantom range with its glorious V12 engine and interesting history, including being featured on the cover and internal double page spread of the Book Rolls-Royce, State Motor Cars by Andrew Pastouna.