Highlights
- The interior is in excellent condition for its age
- A fantastic candidate for restoration
- Starts, runs, drives and stops with a recent service and brake overhaul
The Appeal
Based upon the final iteration of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, the Mulliner Park Ward Fixed Head and Drop Head Coupés featured distinctive, rakish styling believed by some to draw upon contemporary Italian design.
With their distinctive slanted headlights, slab sides and pronounced tail fins, the Mulliner-bodied Silver Cloud IIIs still command a premium over factory bodied examples, making them excellent candidates for restoration projects.
Here we have a Fixed Head Coupé that is, without doubt, deserving of some care and attention. With a remarkably tidy original interior and generally sound mechanicals, it is a great starting point and we can’t wait to see it in the near future once it is back to its ‘60s grandeur.
The History and Paperwork
- 7 owners from new
- Recently serviced and refurbishment of the braking system
- Has had a colour change at some point
- V5C present
- Copies of factory documentation enclosed in a wallet
- Information / history obtained from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club
- Old servicing invoices from P&A Wood
The Interior
- Beautifully preserved
- Smart veneers
- Excellent original leather with pleasing patination
The principal reason that we think this car is such a good starting point for a full restoration is the fact that the interior is in excellent original shape and, when you consider the car’s age, it really is remarkable.
The blue leather seats and door cards have very little wear and display some delightful patination. Likewise, the carpeting and headlining are quite clean and would certainly be serviceable.
The original woodwork has fared really well with no signs of UV damage and the same goes for all of the original switchgear. The vendor informs us that, with the exception of the electric aerial, clock and passenger window, everything functions exactly as it should.
It would appear that the handles from the back of the front seats are no longer in place, but otherwise the interior is exceedingly original and complete.
We are of the opinion that the interior of this car could be brought up to a high standard with minimal work and preserving all of that original patination will be a rewarding task for the next owner.
The Exterior
- The brightwork remains in fine shape
- Requires restoration to the bodywork
- All of the glass presents well
The time has come for this motorcar to be restored, as the paint is cracking in several areas and some fabrication is required underneath. It appears to have largely sound bodywork overall and is really straight down each side, with no clear signs of serious corrosion to the coachbuilt bodywork we could discern. The vendor informs us that full bodywork restoration is required but the rarity and general condition of the car means that it certainly warrants this kind of attention.
The brightwork looks really good and we didn’t notice any dents or pitting. The wheels are in good order and the tyres have recently been replaced. The iconic Rolls-Royce radiator grill is complete and holds a lustrous shine.
The Mechanics
- 6.2-Litre V8
- Running and driving
- Brakes completely overhauled and functioning correctly
The vendor informs us that this Rolls-Royce runs and drives quite well, changing gears as it should and accelerating fairly swiftly. The brakes have been recently overhauled including both master cylinders, four new tyres, fuel and oil filters.
Under the bonnet, everything seems in order and the big V8 ticks over quite happily. The owner has been advised of a possible tappet on the left hand bank.
Naturally, the car is in need of further mechanical work, although it is gratifying to hear that it still runs and drives well.
Summary
If it were ours, we would be chafing at the bit to get going on this project. This really is a great starting point as it runs, drives, stops, has a stunning original interior and good brightwork. From a distance, it is still a rather presentable machine and we can’t wait to see what it looks like once restored.
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