Vehicle Description
When Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motors announced the arrival of the
Bentley Mk VI Saloon in 1946, the new model and its subsequent
Silver Dawn and R-Type variants marked the first time the storied
marques offered complete cars without relying on outside
coachbuilders. While this shift ultimately meant the death knell
for many prestigious coachbuilders, firms like H.J. Mulliner, Park
Ward, and James Young managed to survive thanks to their close and
long-running relationships with Rolls-Royce and to the versatility
of the Mk VI chassis. When the Silver Cloud/S-Series replaced the
Mk VI in 1955, factory coachwork was now the norm, but Rolls-Royce
engineers still allowed coachbuilders to practice their craft,
thanks to the car's sturdy separate ladder chassis. Initially
offered in four-door saloon form only, the Silver Cloud was joined
by a graceful and exquisitely proportioned two-door drophead coupe
crafted by H.J. Mulliner. Officially designated Design #7504, these
'conversion' or 'adaptation' drophead bodies were hand-built by
taking a standard steel saloon, which Mulliner's craftsmen cut and
modified into a graceful and elegant open four-seater. The Silver
Cloud II ushered in Rolls-Royce's new all-alloy V8 engine and
numerous other refinements to the chassis and interior to improve
comfort and drivability. While produced in minuscule numbers
compared to the Standard Steel Saloon (just 157 in total), the H.J.
Mulliner Drophead Conversion remained part of the catalogue through
all three iterations of the series, and it remains one of the most
collectible and sought-after of the Silver Cloud. Chassis number
SAE 79 is one of just 107 H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupes built on
the Cloud II chassis and is extensively documented with factory
build records. Documents show this car was special ordered through
J.S. Inskip of New York for Mr. John Halperin, a respected and
undoubtedly successful New York mortgage banker. While the car was
ordered in the US and destined for use on our shores, the chassis
cards show it was specified with right-hand steering, as it is
equipped today. Factory records also reveal the car was finished
from new in Shell Grey over Scarlet leather trim and red
pinstriping. Additional fittings include a power aerial, plain
Sundym glass, electric front windows, and Dunlop whitewall tires.
The factory shipped the Silver Cloud via air freight to New York,
and Mr. Halperin took delivery at Inskip's showroom on April 8,
1962. Little of the car's history is currently known; however, by
the 1990s, it was in the care of an owner in sunny Rancho Santa Fe,
California, before joining another California collection in 2005.
Along the way, the car was treated to a cosmetic restoration and
retrim and is now handsomely finished in a period-appropriate
livery of metallic sand over beige Connolly hides and a tan mohair
power top. It presents in good order, with the older restoration
appearing well-maintained. A few imperfections in the paint are
noted on close inspection, and some of the chrome fittings exhibit
light age-related pitting, yet the car is, regardless, quite
appealing and inviting for regular driving. Swaths of beige
Connolly hides cover the seats and door cards with complementing
wool carpets. The leather is supple and in fine fettle, having
taken on a pleasing character through the years. The wood dash,
door caps, and trim are all in excellent order, with beautifully
finished burl veneers throughout. Instrumentation and controls are
correct original items, while an AM/FM stereo/cassette player is a
later addition. This Cloud II is powered by a 6.23-litre V8 engine,
with its stamped serial number matching the accompanying build
sheets. Paired with Rolls-Royce's license-built GM Hydramatic
transmission, the V8 is a marvel of refinement and effortless
ability. Under previous ownership, the gearbox was overhauled in
2016, and in 2019 the car was serviced by the respected Charles
Agapiou, Ltd, and received an uprated alternator. It also features
an updated Sanden rotary-style air conditioning compressor to
improve efficiency. Overall the engine bay is tidy and
appropriately detailed for a driver-quality example. Accompanying
items include a mounted spare wheel, factory tool kit, original
handbook, and RREC production records. Even as the viability of
custom coachwork waned, firms like H.J. Mulliner kept the torch lit
with their striking interpretations of the Silver Cloud series, and
few are as desirable as the enduringly elegant Design 7504 Drophead
Coupe. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7380-1962-rolls-royce-silver-cloud-ii/
