Most will agree the sight of a Rolls-Royce Phantom III majestically gliding across a show field in the morning is an impressive sight, but seeing a swoopy, coachbuilt, polished copper-clad Phantom such as this car, known among Rolls-Royce and classic car aficionados as “The Copper Kettle” is nothing less than spectacular. The Copper Kettle is a “show stopper” by anyone’s standard. This is one of those rare cars that stops both the casual observer who knows nothing about cars, as well as the seasoned car collector dead in their tracks, unable to move, fixated on the automotive wonderment before them. This reaction is nothing new for The Copper Kettle, it has been happening for 60 years.
Photo: Steve Natale
The Phantom III is an impressive machine in any form. Underneath the elegant coachwork of every Phantom III is a mechanical wonder, the main component being the massive and powerful, 7.32-liter V12 engine producing 165 horsepower at 3000 rpm. Cylinder blocks are angled at 60 degrees and are of the skeleton type, with wet liners. The cylinder heads are aluminum. Marine-type connecting rods are paired and each shares a common crank pin of the six-throw shaft, which runs in seven main bearings. Hydraulic lifters and a triple-pressure oiling system lubricates and assists in cooling the engine. An innovative new design feature for its time is two spark plugs per cylinder, two ignition coils, two distributors, and one English Zenith two-barrel carburetor. The Phantom III chassis is heavy-duty and exceptionally strong, allowing a platform that easily supports extra large luxury car bodies. Power is transferred to the rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. The Phantom III is also a special car to Rolls-Royce enthusiasts due to the fact it is the last car Henry Royce was involved in. Although Royce died in 1933, the firm proceeded with the development of the car, releasing it for the first time as a 1936 model. Production would continue into 1939 after 710 chassis were produced and fitted with bodies created by various coachbuilders.
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