To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 8 - 9 March 2019.
Estimate:
$125,000 - $175,000
- Time-capsule example; only 4,732 actual miles
- The lowest-mileage Silver Cloud III known to exist
- Includes original wheels and tires along with factory paint,
books, and tools
- Absolutely correct and original in every detail
Please note that this lot is titled as a 1965.
The Silver Cloud III and Bentley S3 were the last cars in the
Cloud/S series before the Silver Shadow and T-type cars were
introduced in 1966. The Silver Cloud I and II (and Bentley S1 and
S2) of 1955-1961 shared the same standard body but when the
SCIII/S3 was introduced in 1962, contemporary design cues were
employed. Changes included dual-quad headlamps, a lower hood and
radiator shell, and smaller bumpers. The new interior was updated,
with a padded cap rail above the fascia, separate front seats
(formerly one bench seat), plus more leg room for both front and
rear passengers.
The highly favored Rolls-Royce V-8 engine now featured a higher
compression ratio of 9:1, and 2-in. carburetors. This resulted in
seven percent more horsepower over the previous model, and
Rolls-Royce enthusiasts agree the III was the finest of the series.
Rolls-Royce produced 2,044 standard SC IIIs.
Special-order documents indicate that LSFU155 was delivered to
Liverpool for shipment on 29 January 1964 and arrived in New York
on 17 February 1964 to the first owner Luella D. Jeffery of Short
Hills, New Jersey. This special Rolls-Royce was finished in
attractive Shell Gray (ICI M 151-2582) over Blue Connolly leather
(VM 3244). Grey headliner, Ambassador Blue Wilton 100-percent wool
carpeting, and exquisite burled walnut woodwork completed the
luxurious interior. Special items ordered included power windows
and radio antenna, plus a charming note, "RR insignia on boot door
not required."
Mrs. Jeffery was always chauffeur-driven, and for only 3,000 miles
before it was sold in 1969 to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Mareton of
Rockville Center, New York. The Maretons owned it from 1969 to
2014, always kept the car in a heated garage, and only added about
1,500 miles to the odometer in those 45 years. No changes,
accidents, or damage was ever done to the car as described in a
personal letter from Mrs. Mareton dated 17 June 2014. The car then
was acquired by Rolls-Royce specialist Richard Gorman of Miami,
Florida, who had the car thoroughly serviced, and any worn or aging
components were replaced with authentic, NOS Rolls-Royce
components.
After the car was discovered by Vantage Motorworks, it was
serviced, fully freshened, and sent to the 2017 Rolls-Royce
National Meet in Asheville, North Carolina. The work included a
complete professional mechanical service, new wheels and tires, and
replacement of the wool headliner and carpets. The car was
virtually unknown to the Rolls-Royce world and had never been seen
at public events its entire life. Its debut was received with
accolades as Rolls-Royce aficionados, judges, and spectators were
in awe of a seldom seen Silver Cloud III the way it left the
factory some 55 years earlier. Naturally, the car took the Post-War
Preservation award it so duly deserved. Included with the car are
the original wheels and tires with only 4,600 miles of wear, as
well as an unopened factory box of paint, driver's manual, and road
tools.
In recent years, many collectors have been trending toward
preservation over restoration. An original, correctly maintained
automobile holds its value and has great appeal to the
knowledgeable collector. It is interesting that this car saw so
little use over its 55 years when considering how advanced and
road-worthy Silver Clouds were in comparison to their competition.
In fact, Rolls-Royce would say that it had no real competition. If
one dreamed of owning a 55-year-old Silver Cloud, untouched and
unrestored, with a patina that could be compared to that of an
old-world master's canvas, this is such a Silver Cloud. After all,
they are only original once, and originality cannot be duplicated.
This "time-capsule" Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III is the epitome of
luxury and grace.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.
