A simply magnificent Phantom 3, in perfect working order.

The engine has travelled very few miles, having been used a few times on trips from Porto to the Algarve and for sporadic local use. The engine is as quiet as any Phantom 3 I've ever heard. It has excellent oil pressure, both cold and hot. The water temperature, on a day of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21 degrees Celsius), was around 70 degrees during motorway driving, only rising to 80 degrees in heavy traffic.

The bodywork, a large and imposing yet elegant affair, was designed by renowned builders Windovers. The sedan roof is well thought out, with a self-compacting canopy and arms that fold down and clip onto pins in the sedan's storage area, which is then concealed by the traditional folding cover, providing an elegant appearance when opened.

The current owner, for the last twenty years, has been one of Portugal's most renowned car restorers. As a result, the car has been cared for and maintained sparingly, in perfect mechanical condition. The brakes, for example, are light, precise and feel like a much more modern, post-war car. The central lubrication system is all connected and fully functional. The steering is light, firm and free of play.

The exterior paintwork is impeccable, in silver over black, and looks beautiful. The front seats have been covered in new black leather, replacing the original that had cracked over time. The rear passenger compartment is completely original, in grey fabric, which also extends to the auxiliary seats. Rear passengers are guaranteed privacy by two sliding wooden curtains that cover the rear side windows when activated. The body has a centre split, but unlike many split-body cars, there is plenty of space at the front, making it comfortable to drive even for someone as tall as me, at 1.90m.

The best part of this car, however, is the driving experience, which is sublime. To drive this car is to appreciate what it was like when it was new. It glides along at 100 or 110 km/h in complete silence, covering the miles effortlessly. I can't praise the mechanical condition of this car enough, as it's the best I've ever driven, a real credit to the current owner and the mechanical skills of his workshop, which maintains other pre- and post-war Rolls Royce cars.

The car can be viewed by prior appointment in Porto.