Built to replace the ageing Silver Dawn, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud became RR’s staple car between 1955-1966, and enjoyed outstanding success throughout its life.
Designed by J.P. Blatchley, the departure from the more conventional lines of its predecessor drew plenty of attention during its unveiling, with the standard Pressed Steel Rolls-Royce body looking decidedly futuristic by comparison.
However, the car was still produced with a body-on-frame construction, which allowed for various coachbuilders such as Hooper and H.J. Mulliner, to build their own bespoke body shells. Despite this, the majority of Silver Clouds were delivered with the standard Rolls-Royce bodywork, such was the elegance and air of regality that exuded from the swooping design.
There were also a number of mechanical improvements compared to its predecessor, all of which no doubt transformed the quality of the ride for both driver and passengers. These included independent front suspension, hydraulically-assisted brakes, and a four-speed automatic transmission.
This particular car is from the ‘second generation’ of the Silver Cloud - aptly-designed the Silver Cloud II - which was produced between 1959 - 1963.
Benefitting from the upgrade to a 6.2l V8 engine of Rolls-Royces own design, this change increased performance and reduced the 0-62 time to just 10.2 seconds, which is still a respectable figure even by todays standards.
The ‘II’ also saw the all-important power steering added as standard equipment, which no doubt made the lives of many chauffeurs much easier indeed - no longer did they need to wrestle with the might of the Silver Cloud on the road.
Forming part of an extensive collection of high-end classic luxury vehicles, this Silver Cloud II has been kept in fine fettle throughout the vendor’s ownership, irrespective of cost. Occasionally used for wedding car hire, these classic Rolls-Royces offer luxury travel with a unique driving experience, along with the potential to use these cars as a business investment.
With the only reason for selling due to relocating and having to downsize their collection, this is a fantastic opportunity for a buyer to obtain a gorgeous classic Rolls-Royce in fantastic condition.
The paperwork that accompanies this Silver Cloud II is enough to keep even the keenest vehicle history enthusiast occupied for a good few hours. From the full Rolls-Royce service manual (something we’ve been told is incredibly useful) to a stack of invoices with several adding up into four-figure sums, it is clear that this SC II has a rich and thorough history, both with the current owner and the three keepers before them.
Along with the aforementioned invoices, there is also the V5, a spare set of keys, and plenty of historical MOT certificates and information sheets, along with a spare key for the battery isolation switch in the boot.
Inside, the condition is certainly impressive. The rich claret leather seats still retain a wonderful shine and a deep, comfortable cushion - you can see why these cars were the choice of the upper classes back in the day, as they’re wonderfully comfortable to travel in.
The headlining remains in great condition and doesn’t show any signs of sagging or damage, while the carpets are in good condition overall, with only minor staining due to wear in the front. It is believed that the glass in the windows is all original, but there is no way of verifying this.
Some of the woodwork around the cabin is starting to show its age, but generally maintains a deep shine and is largely free of scratches and wear. The same is true of the chrome detailing, with some of the controls for the driver beginning to show minor signs of use and patina. However, these are merely age-related marks and show the level of originality in this vehicle, and only serve to add to the story of the car.
All the instruments appear to be working correctly and as they should, apart from the clock in the dashboard which has stopped functioning.
The exterior of this Silver Cloud II displays the stunning swooping lines that defined the Silver Cloud family, and this example shows no signs of impact damage or misaligned panels. The paintwork is in fantastic condition, with only a few tiny marks which would be expected from a car of this vintage.
The front nearside wing shows signs of minor paint bubbling up underneath the arches, while there are also panel lines beginning to show through around the front nearside indicator mounting, which is a common occurrence on these Silver Clouds.
Rolls-Royces of this vintage were bestowed with lashings of stunning chrome detail, and everything is present and correct on this example. The chrome still retains a fantastic mirror-finish, and only exhibits very minor signs of pitting and patina in patches, but you’d have to look very hard to notice it.
As the wealth of paperwork will attest to, this is a car that has been thoroughly pampered and maintained throughout its life, apparently irrespective of cost.
Highlights of the work carried out include a full nearside front suspension rebuild, remedial work to the chassis, and other remedial work to areas such as the gearbox and suspension components, with plenty of paperwork to validate these works.
Starting immediately, the Rolls-Royce V8 settles into a refined idle befitting of such as high-class vehicle. On the road, the ride is equally refined and wonderfully smooth, with the automatic transmission making light work of driving such a regal machine. The vendor reports that there are no known faults or mechanical issues with the vehicle, nor did we notice any issues during our time with the car.
Underneath the car there doesn’t appear to be any causes for concern, however the vendor does note there is a very slight gearbox oil leak, but nothing untoward that wouldn’t be expected from a vehicle of this vintage.
These Silver Clouds have a reputation for draining batteries when parked up, so it is of great advantage to the buyer that this particular example has a battery isolation switch fitted, which is hidden away in the corner of the boot.
It’s hard not to see the appeal here. A surprisingly usable classic, this Silver Cloud II could fill just about any role from high-end luxury tourer to occasional daily driver, and makes any journey seem like an event. Not only that, but with the potential for use as a business investment in the wedding industry, this is also a car that can be put to work.
With an absolute treasure trove of history and presenting in incredible condition, this Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II is one not to miss.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
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1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
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