To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$550,000 - $650,000
- Only 48,136 original miles
- One of only 10 left-hand-drive examples produced
- Factory special-order H.J. Mulliner convertible coachwork
- Previously of the Ted Mintz collection, former Rolls-Royce
Owners' Club (RROC) President
- Documented with build sheets from Rolls-Royce Foundation
- Includes desirable and rare Continental Touring Kit
In 1955, the long-awaited Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and its sibling,
the Bentley "S" model, were introduced. Vastly different from the
former models, the Silver Dawn and R-Type, the Silver Cloud I was
the last series to be powered by the ever-reliable inline
six-cylinder F-head engine. The new standard steel saloon was
delightfully proportioned, elegant, and cost far less than a
coachbuilt car, and thus, out-sold those coachbuilt examples 100 to
1.
Early Silver Cloud I engine compression ratio was 6.6:1, but later
Silver Cloud I models, and all models built for the North American
market, such as this rare example, were built with an 8:1 ratio.
This was the final configuration of the torquey, smooth, and
powerful six-cylinder inline engine originally fitted to the
venerable Silver Ghost. The General Motors Hydra-Matic automatic
transmission, now standard with the Silver Cloud, was extremely
well built, reliable, and was married to a servo-boost system to
enhance braking. Specialists frequently remark that this is the
ideal configuration of the early post-war models.
Although the highly popular new pressed steel body was in demand,
there remained a steady, albeit small, market for unique customized
bodies. Rolls-Royce records show 2,238 Silver Cloud models were
built between 1955 and 1959, but only a few were bodied like this
example, with custom coachwork. The special-order rolling chassis
were sent to one of the few remaining coachbuilding firms, and when
complete, the Company supervised final testing before delivery to
the new owner. Open coach-built designs, like this H.J. Mulliner
example, are much higher valued than the standard steel saloon
cars. Always a hallmark of bespoke design and exceptional quality,
recent Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars have been offered in a
variety of "Mulliner" editions.
H.J. Mulliner fitted several convertible designs onto Rolls-Royce
Silver Cloud chassis, but their most popular was the car offered
here, design 7504, a factory-modified standard steel saloon,
re-fabricated into a two-door drophead coupe configuration.
Introduced at the New York Auto Show in April 1959, the new design
was wildly popular in the American market, therefore most of the
models were built with left-hand drive for export to the U.S. The
accepted term used by H. J. Mulliner for this Design 7504 is
"Adaptation," as the coachbuilder adapted the standard steel saloon
into a convertible, then fitting two doors in place of four,
creating the most popular body style H.J. Mulliner ever conceived.
Only 13 examples were created, of which 10 were produced in
left-hand drive configuration, this example being the 4th
completed.
This charming original example was built to special order for first
owner George Baekeland of Southport, Connecticut. Mr. Baekeland's
father, Leo Baekeland, was the inventor of the first synthesized
plastic, "Bakelite," often used in Rolls-Royce components. Original
order documents include such minute detail as " . . . cold weather
shields over the door locks . . . ." The list of special details
fills one complete page. Ted Mintz, also from Connecticut, and
former President of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club, added the car to
his collection in 1976. He brought it to RROC events and meets
throughout the 1970s and '80s, winning numerous awards. The car
later became part of the renowned Blackhawk Collection in Danville,
California.
The interior was re-trimmed in its original beige Connolly hides by
Rolls-Royce specialists, Vantage Motorworks, and remains as buttery
soft and supple as when new. Original burled walnut woodwork is in
the correct, not overdone, patina finish. An after-market, albeit
correct R12 Chrysler, boot-mounted, AirTemp air-conditioning system
was thoughtfully installed by marque specialists as well. The
original paint color "Morris Beige," a delightful butterscotch
color, was repainted about four years ago, correctly done over bare
metal. At that time, all major chrome was re-plated to show-quality
standards. New and correct leather spring gaiters and exhaust
system, an auxiliary electric radiator fan, electronic ignition,
and new Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tires have been
recently fitted. No detail has been overlooked, including a rare
Yale master key, master key blank, and two Yale valet key blanks. A
real bonus included is a rare find, a "Continental Touring
Kit."
It is quite unusual to find a car of this era so complete and
original. Chassis LSMH21 retains its original engine and gearbox,
original Smiths Radiomobile radio, original hand and road tools and
owner's handbook, as well as original maintenance manuals,
instruction booklets, and copies of the original order documents
from the Rolls-Royce Foundation, are included.
The term "rare opportunity" is often used, but the fact that this
car is now available, is indeed a true, and rare opportunity. It is
an honest example, presented as it was when new, always impeccably
maintained, and now it is poised and ready to participate in the
finest concours events, Rolls-Royce events, and be enjoyed on
delightful Sunday drives.
As reviewer Jim Whipple wrote in November 1959 in his column for
Car Life, "Rolls-Royce is the car for you if you really appreciate
quality and attention to small but important details, and value
craftsmanship more than gadgets and gimmicks . . . ."To view this
car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit
the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
