Barry Wilkinson (British, B. 1923) "Jersey -- Rolls-Royce Phantom III" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor paiting on Illustration Board.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood Europa Cover for the Jersey 20.5P Europa stamp issued March 12, 1984.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom III was a new model automobile in 1935 when it was first revealed. It was designed to give Rolls-Royce -- once again -- the right to claim that it was making the "best car in the world." In fact, except for the chassis, the separate band of coachbuilders, and the radiator design, the Phantom III was an entirely new car. No wonder that Mr. F.M. Wilcock, proprietor of the Jersey Motor Museum, ordered one of these magnificent vehicles restored for posterity. His museum -- located in lovely St. Peter's village -- was established in 1973 "to preserve historic motor vehicles of all types and photographic records relating to the island." The Phantom III chosen, was interestingly enough, the 1936 model specifically ordered by Wilcock's father. Since Rolls-Royce did not begin to produce complete cars until after the war, the firm of Freestone and Webb -- a superb coachbuilder of the day was hired to design the body. The car was given the code name "Spectre" in the Works at Derby. It had a 7668 cc all-aluminum overhead valve engine which sported dual ignition and hydraulic tappets. And, for the first time, General Motors Patents were used to fit a Rolls-Royce with independent front suspension. Wilcock later loaned the car to General Montgomery and General Carl Spaatz, as they planned the D-Day operations of 1944. But prudently, he refused to allow its use in France on D-Day itself.

Image Size: 10.75 x 9 in.
Overall Size: 13 x 11.5 in.
Unframed.
(B08869)

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