Highlights
- Specially upholstered with all-leather interior, as opposed to leather and wood
- Purchased new by Kenneth Shipman, film producer and owner of Twickenham Film Studios
- Formerly the property of late businessman Phillip Carter, honorary vice president of Chelsea Football Club
- Meticulously restored in 2019 with invoices totalling over £80,000
- Only 3,200 miles covered since 2006
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.
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 modernize 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.
From 1963, the Silver Cloud III brought engine upgrades and revised styling with a shorter radiator and twin headlights anticipating the Shadow.
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.
From 1963, the Silver Cloud III brought engine upgrades and revised styling with a shorter radiator and twin headlights anticipating the Shadow.
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.
Interestingly and attractively built with a believed-unique interior specified by its first owner, Kenneth Shipman of Twickenham Film Studios, this example, chassis SFU 269, is in exceptional condition following an £80,000 restoration in 2019.
It is truly outstanding and you’ll not find another quite like it.
Interestingly and attractively built with a believed-unique interior specified by its first owner, Kenneth Shipman of Twickenham Film Studios, this example, chassis SFU 269, is in exceptional condition following an £80,000 restoration in 2019.
It is truly outstanding and you’ll not find another quite like it.
The History and Paperwork
- Delivered on 12th February 1964 to Rolls-Royce’s Lillie Hall showroom in Fulham
- Originally finished in Shell Grey and Astral Blue with blue leather upholstery and whitewall tyres
- The interior’s hide-covered wood trim is believed to be unique to this car, originally being built with the windscreen surround upholstered in black leather and all the other woodwork upholstered in blue leather
- Other original features included electric windows, parking lights, blue Perspex sun visors and a thermometer in place of the cigar lighter
- First owned by Kenneth W. Shipman, of Buxted Park, a Georgian country house in Uckfield, East Sussex
- Mr. Shipman (1930-1996) was a film producer and owner of Twickenham Film Studios, and entertained celebrities including Dudley Moore, Marlon Brando and Gregory Peck at Buxted Park after opening it as a health spa in 1966
- Owned from 3rd November 1965 by J. W. Hurdiss, founder of an aggregate supply firm, of Springfield, Wrawby, Lincolnshire
- Owned from 10th August 1966 by H. R. Barnett of Portman Square, London W.1
- In more recent years, SFU 269 was owned by businessman and honorary vice president of Chelsea Football Club, Phillip Carter, until his death in 2007
- The sale of Mr. Carter’s estate took several years, and SFU 269 was purchased from it directly by Rolls-Royce specialist Sunningdale Motors
- It was retained by the proprietor of Sunningdale Motors as a personal project, and subjected to a full restoration costing over £80,000 in 2019, since when it has seen very little use
- Sold with paperwork including the current V5, an MoT history, a large collection of restoration invoices, copies of the original Rolls-Royce build sheets, photographs of the restoration and the Handbook for The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III (2nd ed.)
The Interior
- Special interior finished with hide-covered woodwork
- Superbly appointed with picnic tables, bottle draws and other luxuries
- Beautifully restored and reupholstered in red leather
Inside a Rolls-Royce, you expect to see nothing but the best, and that’s exactly what you have here – a restoration to the highest standard, using the finest leather and featuring all kinds of luxury items which lesser motor-cars must do without.
The dash is typically well-stocked, with all the usual gauges and switches plus a clock, radio, heater controls and, by special request, a thermometer where usually there would have been a cigar lighter. The driver is further assisted by blue Perspex sun visors and an anti-dazzle mirror.
It may be that you have a driver, in which case you will be more interested to know about the comforts available to the passengers.
Apart from all-round electrically-operated windows and neatly concealed cubby holes in the front doors, the rear-seat passengers are especially well catered-for, with picnic tables and bottle drawers located in the back of the front seats, and illuminated vanity mirrors in the C-pillars.
Apart from all-round electrically-operated windows and neatly concealed cubby holes in the front doors, the rear-seat passengers are especially well catered-for, with picnic tables and bottle drawers located in the back of the front seats, and illuminated vanity mirrors in the C-pillars.
An unusual, attractive and, we believe, unique feature is the special finish, with all wooden surfaces covered in leather even down to the picnic tables, a feature we are pleased to see the restorer has retained, although the colour has been changed from blue to red.
Rolls-Royce correspondence described it as a ‘special feature’ and mentioned that the leather used was of a ‘special thickness’.
Rolls-Royce correspondence described it as a ‘special feature’ and mentioned that the leather used was of a ‘special thickness’.
Of the £80,000 restoration, over £20,000 of that was spent on the interior, so there’s little we can say about it that you couldn’t already guess. In short, it is in magnificent condition, and still much like new.
Obviously, all the leather was renewed and it has barely aged at all, and the same may be said for the carpets. The headlining is immaculate and all the original details, such as the lights, mirrors and gauges, may display a few light marks and patination, but are nevertheless in very good condition.
Obviously, all the leather was renewed and it has barely aged at all, and the same may be said for the carpets. The headlining is immaculate and all the original details, such as the lights, mirrors and gauges, may display a few light marks and patination, but are nevertheless in very good condition.
Naturally, the boot is similarly good, and contains both a new spare tyre and the mostly-complete original toolkit, supplemented by a few additional modern spanners.
The Exterior
- Stripped back to the bare metal and restored with extensive bodywork repairs completed
- Fully repainted in elegant Shell Grey
- All trim and brightwork in exceptionally good condition
While we expect this Rolls-Royce was always garaged in its early life and during Mr. Carter’s ownership, we know little of its history between 1966 and the 21st century, and what was apparent before the restoration was that the years had taken their toll.
Although it looked to be in outwardly good condition when Sunningdale Motors acquired it, closer inspection revealed the need for restoration.
Although it looked to be in outwardly good condition when Sunningdale Motors acquired it, closer inspection revealed the need for restoration.
Accordingly, the Cloud was stripped back to bare metal with some extensive bodywork repairs required, much of the work being undertaken by Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialist Wilton-Morgan of Berkshire.
Everything was completed to the highest possible standard, with the car ultimately painted in Shell Grey, a beautiful shade appropriately resembling that of a silver cloud.
Everything was completed to the highest possible standard, with the car ultimately painted in Shell Grey, a beautiful shade appropriately resembling that of a silver cloud.
Having seen very little use since it was completed, the paint remains essentially immaculate. While we did observe one small crack in the paint on the near side B-pillar, we were otherwise unable to find any fault with it.
All the chrome is, likewise, superb, with only some very, very light surface marks which are not at all easy to notice. All the trim is present and correct, with the Spirit of Ecstasy looking suitably proud to be atop the radiator. The wheels and tyres are in excellent condition, as is all the glass on the car. A brand-new windscreen was fitted in 2019.
All the chrome is, likewise, superb, with only some very, very light surface marks which are not at all easy to notice. All the trim is present and correct, with the Spirit of Ecstasy looking suitably proud to be atop the radiator. The wheels and tyres are in excellent condition, as is all the glass on the car. A brand-new windscreen was fitted in 2019.
Underneath, as you would expect from a recent bare-metal restoration, everything is reassuringly solid.
The Mechanics
- Ideally suited for modern driving conditions with the 6.2-litre V8, automatic gearbox and power steering
- Brakes completely overhauled during restoration
- Comprehensively serviced in May 2021
Built like an ocean liner for the road, the size of the Silver Cloud can make it look formidable but, rest assured, there can be few nicer cars to drive.
Firing up on the button, one hears only a soft burble from the engine as the car pulls away, after which one travels in the near-silence which Rolls-Royce’s reputation and the Cloud name suggest.
The automatic gearbox makes the ride impeccably smooth and, even around the crowded roads of London, it may be manoeuvred easily thanks to the excellent power steering.
Firing up on the button, one hears only a soft burble from the engine as the car pulls away, after which one travels in the near-silence which Rolls-Royce’s reputation and the Cloud name suggest.
The automatic gearbox makes the ride impeccably smooth and, even around the crowded roads of London, it may be manoeuvred easily thanks to the excellent power steering.
Naturally, SFU 269 received extensive mechanical attention as part of its restoration, with over £2000 spent on completely overhauling the braking system, with new drums, master cylinders, wheel cylinders and hoses fitted. The car’s electrics received considerable attention so that everything was brought up to working order.
Being such a low-mileage car, the engine required little attention, but the fuel pump was renewed, the carburettor partially overhauled and an exhaust leak cured. Since restoration, the car has not been neglected, with a full service and a few extra jobs completed by Hanwells of London in May 2021.
Although the Rolls-Royce has not had an MoT since 2014, it was always judged to be in good order then and is only likely to be even better now it’s had money and attention lavished on it. Between 2006 and 2013, it passed every MoT test with no advisories, and appears to have received very little use besides being driven to and from the test centre.
From a mileage reading of 44,000 miles in November 2006, it has only covered an additional 3,200 miles to the present.
From a mileage reading of 44,000 miles in November 2006, it has only covered an additional 3,200 miles to the present.
Summary
In many respects, the Silver Cloud is the ideal classic Rolls-Royce, a car which blends semi-traditional and semi-modern styling with an up-to-date engine, gearbox and power-steering system which renders it practical and usable even today.
A big part of the appeal of this car lies in its special all-leather interior, which is almost certainly unique.
The provenance is certainly appealing, too. SFU 269 will no doubt have witnessed much being driven to and from Twickenham Studios, and we wonder at the stories it could tell if only it could talk.
Now looking splendid after a very thorough £80,000 restoration, there can be few Silver Clouds in such good condition as this one, and fewer still with so interesting a past.
The provenance is certainly appealing, too. SFU 269 will no doubt have witnessed much being driven to and from Twickenham Studios, and we wonder at the stories it could tell if only it could talk.
Now looking splendid after a very thorough £80,000 restoration, there can be few Silver Clouds in such good condition as this one, and fewer still with so interesting a past.
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