To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Fort Lauderdale event, 29
- 30 March 2019.
Estimate:
$500,000 - $600,000
- One of just 12 built by Mulliner
- Superbly restored to concours quality
- Converted to left-hand drive during restoration
- A timeless classic fit for any motoring adventure
Rolls-Royce introduced its whimsically named Silver Cloud line in
1955 as a body-on-frame car, allowing luxurious coachbuilt bodies
to be utilized in place of the standard factory body. At a time
when many manufacturers were moving toward favoring the unibody
construction, the Silver Cloud presented a highly customizable
option which discriminating buyers appreciated. With the Silver
Clouds coming in at more than $16,000 when purchased new, they were
unquestionably geared toward the buyer of taste and financial
means, and Rolls-Royce was keen on catering to this segment of its
established customer base. After eight years of production, in
1963, the Silver Cloud peaked with the third edition, aptly named
the Silver Cloud III. The Cloud IIIs came standard as four-door
saloon models, but several variations were provided by
coachbuilders, including the H.J. Mulliner two-door convertible
body seen on the 1963 model offered here.
Launched in 1962, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III employed the
6.2-liter V-8 engine introduced on the Silver Cloud II/S2, though
with larger carburetors, a new distributor, and raised compression
ratio. It also came with a four-speed GM-derived automatic
transmission as standard equipment. On the exterior, the most
obvious among many changes from the preceding models was the
adoption of four-headlamp lighting, the absence of sidelights from
the wing tops, and a slightly lower radiator shell. Inside there
was improved accommodation with separate front seats and increased
room for rear passengers. Notable as the last mainstream
Rolls-Royce to employ a separate chassis, the Silver Cloud III
proved immensely successful both at home and abroad, remaining in
production until the autumn of 1965.
The factory H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe offered here underwent an
extensive frame-off restoration to concours standards utilizing a
40-year collection of NOS Rolls-Royce and Mulliner components. At
this time, it was also being converted to U.S.-specified left-hand
drive. The careful use of chrome accents against the gleaming
midnight black exterior and the contrasting white interior and
burlwood dash give the car an opulent presence that few could
match. This, in combination with the car's rarity, combined to help
it achieve a 1st in Class award at the Dana Point Concours
d'Elegance. With classic whitewall tires perfectly complementing
the interior and matching white convertible top boot cover, the car
retains its elegant look accentuated by smoothed, swept-back body
lines, and rounding rear fenders.
Offered with accompanying manuals, records, and restoration photos,
this timeless beauty is a surefire award winner at many automotive
events and will provide a driving experience unlike anything
else.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/fl19.
