FHighlights
- In good condition but would benefit from some cosmetic renovation – an ideal rolling project
- Starts, runs and drives really well
- Over £11,000 spent on the car between 2003 and 2006, with a further £630 spent on the engine in 2020
- Sold with copies of the original Rolls-Royce construction and test records
The Appeal
Ever since Rolls-Royce promoted its Silver Ghost as ‘The Best Car in the World’ – a claim which might sound hubristic at first, but which was most probably true – it has been determined not to let standards slip. So it was that the Silver Ghost’s torch was passed down through the generations until it was taken up in 1955 by the Silver Cloud, the model which links the traditional, pre-war-style Rolls-Royces with the sleek and sophisticated models of the present.
Circumstances after the Second World War forced Rolls-Royce to modernise production, and the Silver Dawn of 1949 was its first car to be sold with a factory-made pressed-steel body, as an upmarket alternative to the Bentley Mk. VI. In terms of styling and engineering, it offered little significant change from the Rolls-Royces of the 1930s.
It was the Silver Cloud which changed all that. Elegantly styled by J. P. Blatchley, the Cloud retained the immortal Parthenon radiator but, from behind that, its lines fell away gracefully, paving the way for the modern shape of the Silver Shadow in 1965. From launch, it was the first Rolls-Royce to feature an automatic gearbox as standard. The Silver Cloud II of 1959 was the first Rolls-Royce to use a V8 engine, and power-steering became standard.
Perfectly combining the traditional qualities of Rolls-Royce with modern post-war styling and engineering, the smooth V8, automatic gearbox and power steering make the Cloud a pleasure to own and drive today, to say nothing of the sheer luxury it possesses. The example offered for sale embodies all that was great about the Cloud, and is ready to use and enjoy. It may benefit from some cosmetic renovation, which one could do while continuing to keep it on the road, which makes it a very tempting prospect for one who fancies a more affordable way into Cloud ownership, or who would enjoy a straightforward rolling project.
The History and Paperwork
- Originally retailed through H. A. Fox & Co. in Hampshire, carrying the appropriate registration HAF 100
- Sold new on 4th November 1960 to Vosper Ltd., the Portsmouth shipbuilding firm famous for building numerous Royal Navy craft and Malcolm Campbell’s Blue Bird K4 record boat, for the personal use of O. R. Guard, Esq., of Hollycombe
- Originally painted in Black Pearl over Tudor Grey, with blue upholstery with blue piping, blue carpets and grey headlining, special features from new included electric windows, a rear window demister switch on the instrument panel, a driving mirror at the top of the screen rail and combined parking and indicator lights in each door pillar
- Owned by a gentleman in Flintshire, between 2003 and 2006 the Cloud was treated to a mechanical and bodywork renovation costing over £11,000
- The present owner acquired the Rolls-Royce in 2018 and, according to the V5, is only its ninth in 62 years
- Paperwork includes the current V5, copies of the original factory construction and test sheets, various invoices pertaining to the 2003-2006 renovation plus one for engine from 2020, its last MoT certificate from 2017 and a copy of The handbook for the Phantom VI
The Interior
- Evidently the recipient of some past restoration, but retains much of its originality
- Woodwork largely original and in excellent condition
- Very well-appointed with a dash clock, picnic trays, a modern radio and more
The interior of this Silver Cloud is most pleasing, made especially attractive by the fact that it retains a good deal of its original fittings, albeit with some restoration having been completed where necessary or beneficial. As far as we are able to tell, the beautiful walnut dash and door cappings are all original and appear in wonderful condition, enhanced by just a very light patina. In addition to all the gauges, the dash benefits from a retro-styled modern radio which blends in well.
The seats were originally blue, and it is obvious that the front and rear lower seat cushions have been completely reupholstered at some point in the past. The backrests display a lovely patina which suggests they are original but, being grey, must have been re-Connolised and recoloured somewhere along the line. The doors may have received a similar treatment; the door cards themselves look recovered, while the door pulls look original but recoloured.
The seats were originally blue, and it is obvious that the front and rear lower seat cushions have been completely reupholstered at some point in the past. The backrests display a lovely patina which suggests they are original but, being grey, must have been re-Connolised and recoloured somewhere along the line. The doors may have received a similar treatment; the door cards themselves look recovered, while the door pulls look original but recoloured.
The blue carpets are most likely original and survive in good condition, although there is one noticeable hole on the driver’s side. Looking up, we can appreciate the original sun visors which indicate the shade of blue which once covered the whole interior.
The rear seat passengers benefit from numerous luxuries including folding picnic trays, ashtrays and vanity mirrors in the C-pillars. All are in very good condition, and function well.
All the electric windows work and they can all be operated from the driver's door switches, although not all can be operated from the switches on their respective doors. To the best of our knowledge, all the gauges on the dash work apart from the clock, although, as with many old cars, some of them require a tap on the glass to wake them up.
Inside the capacious boot, all is clean and in good order, and the spare wheel and jack are present where they should be.
The Exterior
- Finished in a non-original but very attractive metallic colour scheme
- Extensive bodywork repairs completed in 2006
- All body panels and the underside appear to be very solid and sound
- Would benefit from some cosmetic improvement in places, giving scope to restore it to its original colours or personalise it as you see fit
Finished in an eye-catching metallic silver and blue, which looks rather more light-hearted than some of the sombre schemes often seen on Rolls-Royces, this Cloud looks particularly pleasing under a sunny sky. While we’d not hesitate to turn up at the Savoy in it, there are some areas which could be improved cosmetically before you put it into a concours.
The two-tone division does not quite follow the line Rolls-Royce used with 100 per cent accuracy, and opening the doors reveals evidence of previous paint jobs. The present paint, being a few years old, is beginning to show its age in places, such as where a small area has flaked away at the front of the offside sill. Other small blemishes of a similar nature include a small chip on the nearside C-pillar and an area near the rear bumper where it has started to lift and crack.
In most places, the chrome looks lovely, sometimes with a very light patina, and the bold grille is particularly impressive. If the car is to be shown, though, the bumpers may benefit from being replated, as there are a few marks in the chrome and the odd small dent, and in a few places it is flaking away.
We are loth to be too critical of the car’s appearance though because, underneath, the bodywork appears to us to be extremely sound. The sills, floors and chassis rails look very solid, and we did not observe any bubbling under the paint, which suggests that the metalwork is in very good order throughout.
The car’s present solid condition may be attributable to some £4000 worth of body work it received in 2006. Wing, wheel arch and chassis leg sections were replaced where necessary, and duly painted or undersealed and Waxoyled.
The Mechanics
- Extensive mechanical work undertaken between 2003 and 2006
- Carburettors rebuilt in 2020
- Passed its last MoT in 2017 with no advisories
- Starts readily and drives beautifully
Some people may form the misconception that a big old car like the Silver Cloud is difficult to drive, but nothing could be further from the truth. With its automatic gearbox and power steering, it is light, responsive, and no more daunting on the road than an Austin Cambridge or Ford Zephyr might be. That this car behaves so well indicates that all is in good order, as it ought to be after so much work has been completed.
Between 2003 and 2006, the brakes received a thorough overhaul with new master cylinders fitted, the carburettors were rebuilt, the power steering pump was reconditioned and a new ignition coil was fitted.
In 2020, the engine began to suffer from rough running, the fault being traced to the carburettors having the wrong floats and valves and the ignition timing being slightly out. The carburettors were subsequently rebuilt again with all the correct new parts, and the timing was adjusted with the result that the engine is now running very sweetly indeed.
We must acknowledge that the 25,000 miles on the odometer is not original—it returned to 00000 after reaching 99,999 miles in 2010—but that doesn’t alter the fact that the Rolls-Royce engineering is of the highest quality, and the venerable V8 still gives the impression of being in excellent health.
While we are unable to make any guarantees about roadworthiness without a valid MoT, we would draw attention to the fact that the Rolls-Royce passed its last MoT in 2017 with no advisories and has covered fewer than 2,000 miles since then. We very much doubt that the car should have deteriorated in any way in that time and would not have any reservations about taking it for a drive but, of course, we do advise that bidders satisfy themselves before venturing onto the road.
The Summary
While all classic cars have a delightful character of their own, there’s nothing that comes close to a Rolls-Royce for sheer quality and sumptuous luxury, and a Silver Cloud is arguably one of the best you can buy as it bridges the gap between tradition and modernity.
This example presents the ideal opportunity into classic Rolls-Royce ownership, as it’s solid, mechanically sound and eminently usable, but with some areas for cosmetic improvement it promises to be more affordable than a concours example. With only a few minor paint, chrome and interior jobs to see to, it could be a great rolling project to work on while keeping the car in use, and increasing its value over time.
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