1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupé, Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
4,887cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors
155bhp at 4,000rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*One of only 11 left-hand drive examples built
*Two owners from new, present ownership for 20 years
*Copies of factory records on file
*Meticulously maintained
THE SILVER CLOUD DROPHEAD COUPÉ
Introduced early in 1955, the all-new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type were conceived as replacements for the ageing Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type. The duo sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section separate chassis - Rolls-Royce eschewing unitary construction for the time being - incorporating improved brakes and suspension, the latter featuring electrically controlled damping. Enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the - traditionally undisclosed - power output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, while automatic transmission was now standard and power-assisted steering an option. Fast (100mph-plus) relatively economical and cheaper to maintain than the successor V8-engined versions, the Silver Cloud is arguably the most user-friendly of all post-war Rolls-Royces.
Despite the popularity of Rolls-Royce's 'standard steel' factory bodywork, bespoke creations from coachbuilders James Young and the soon-to-be-merged firms of H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward Ltd (the latter already owned by Rolls-Royce) continued to be available on the Silver Cloud chassis for those discerning enthusiasts wealthy enough to afford them. Indeed, as the factory did not offer a convertible or drophead coupé, a coachbuilt car was the only option if one's preference was Rolls-Royce-style fresh air motoring. H.J. Mulliner's was by far the most successful of this type, lasting into 1963. The firm was also responsible for the first Bentley Continental, an outstanding design by any standard, and its two-door bodies on both Rolls and Bentley chassis are recognized as among the era's most elegant. Hand crafted style such as this attracted a hefty premium though, H.J. Mulliner's drophead coupé being priced some 50% above the standard Silver Cloud four-door saloon, which was already one of the world's most expensive cars.
In all, H.J. Mulliner completed only 10 right-hand drive and 11 left-hand drive drophead coupés on the 'Silver Cloud I' chassis, with the majority built to their 7410 design. It must have been a popular format, for those that followed on the successive models were far more numerous in production terms. The blend of the definitive six-cylinder Rolls-Royce, with the timeless exquisite drophead coupe has always made these 'blackjack' automobiles a much-coveted proposition.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
One of the most exclusive Rolls-Royce derivatives ever built, this ultra-rare Silver Cloud convertible comes with a remarkable two owner pedigree. It was originally commissioned as new by a true connoisseur of the marque, S. Prestley Blake. Mr. Blake, who the hobby sadly lost earlier this year at the remarkable age of 106, was known as much as the founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corp, as for his collecting and enjoying old motorcars, a passion which he and his brother Curt were inspired to by their mother Ethel.
On file are copies of the factory Rolls-Royce records, confirming that chassis LSMH 245 was ordered new by Blake, and supplied to in house coachbuilders, H.J. Mulliner. Each and every detail of its build is recorded, from its order as a left-hand drive car, of which there would only be 11 units constructed, to the color choice of Ming Blue with an Off-White top, and matched Off-White hide interior, with blue carpets and grey headliner. Along its sides the bodywork was accented with a Fine White coachline, and a Made in England plate adorned its rear. Interesting additional features included an "Altimeter in the passenger's cubby hole door", a "Rev counter in place of the driver's glove box", electric windows, deletion of the reverse button on the column quadrant and a whole host of other details. Further, as a late example of the model, it benefited from power assisted steering. The completed car was ready for shipping in August 1959 and its guarantee issued on arrival in the USA in March 1960, and delivery to Mr. Blake in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Blake would retain the car for more than 30 years, and when he did part with it, its migration was to the Yankee Candle Collection of Massachusetts from whose estate the car is offered today. As now viewed, the car retains the details so prominently noted on its build sheet, together with a discreet 'PB' emblem on the driver's door. According to its current custodians and seemingly borne out from close inspection, the car is not believed to have ever been restored, such that in part it retains original paintwork, while its odometer reading of just over 38,300 miles is entirely supported by the simplicity of its ownership. At some point, the interior does appear to have been refinished in the original colors of trim.
A supremely elegant automobile, the Silver Cloud represents Rolls-Royce at one of the majestic peaks in their storied career. With a succinct history, appealing colors and highly desirable specifications, this must be one of the best to survive.
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4,887cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
2 SU Carburetors
155bhp at 4,000rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*One of only 11 left-hand drive examples built
*Two owners from new, present ownership for 20 years
*Copies of factory records on file
*Meticulously maintained
THE SILVER CLOUD DROPHEAD COUPÉ
Introduced early in 1955, the all-new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type were conceived as replacements for the ageing Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type. The duo sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section separate chassis - Rolls-Royce eschewing unitary construction for the time being - incorporating improved brakes and suspension, the latter featuring electrically controlled damping. Enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the - traditionally undisclosed - power output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, while automatic transmission was now standard and power-assisted steering an option. Fast (100mph-plus) relatively economical and cheaper to maintain than the successor V8-engined versions, the Silver Cloud is arguably the most user-friendly of all post-war Rolls-Royces.
Despite the popularity of Rolls-Royce's 'standard steel' factory bodywork, bespoke creations from coachbuilders James Young and the soon-to-be-merged firms of H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward Ltd (the latter already owned by Rolls-Royce) continued to be available on the Silver Cloud chassis for those discerning enthusiasts wealthy enough to afford them. Indeed, as the factory did not offer a convertible or drophead coupé, a coachbuilt car was the only option if one's preference was Rolls-Royce-style fresh air motoring. H.J. Mulliner's was by far the most successful of this type, lasting into 1963. The firm was also responsible for the first Bentley Continental, an outstanding design by any standard, and its two-door bodies on both Rolls and Bentley chassis are recognized as among the era's most elegant. Hand crafted style such as this attracted a hefty premium though, H.J. Mulliner's drophead coupé being priced some 50% above the standard Silver Cloud four-door saloon, which was already one of the world's most expensive cars.
In all, H.J. Mulliner completed only 10 right-hand drive and 11 left-hand drive drophead coupés on the 'Silver Cloud I' chassis, with the majority built to their 7410 design. It must have been a popular format, for those that followed on the successive models were far more numerous in production terms. The blend of the definitive six-cylinder Rolls-Royce, with the timeless exquisite drophead coupe has always made these 'blackjack' automobiles a much-coveted proposition.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
One of the most exclusive Rolls-Royce derivatives ever built, this ultra-rare Silver Cloud convertible comes with a remarkable two owner pedigree. It was originally commissioned as new by a true connoisseur of the marque, S. Prestley Blake. Mr. Blake, who the hobby sadly lost earlier this year at the remarkable age of 106, was known as much as the founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corp, as for his collecting and enjoying old motorcars, a passion which he and his brother Curt were inspired to by their mother Ethel.
On file are copies of the factory Rolls-Royce records, confirming that chassis LSMH 245 was ordered new by Blake, and supplied to in house coachbuilders, H.J. Mulliner. Each and every detail of its build is recorded, from its order as a left-hand drive car, of which there would only be 11 units constructed, to the color choice of Ming Blue with an Off-White top, and matched Off-White hide interior, with blue carpets and grey headliner. Along its sides the bodywork was accented with a Fine White coachline, and a Made in England plate adorned its rear. Interesting additional features included an "Altimeter in the passenger's cubby hole door", a "Rev counter in place of the driver's glove box", electric windows, deletion of the reverse button on the column quadrant and a whole host of other details. Further, as a late example of the model, it benefited from power assisted steering. The completed car was ready for shipping in August 1959 and its guarantee issued on arrival in the USA in March 1960, and delivery to Mr. Blake in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Blake would retain the car for more than 30 years, and when he did part with it, its migration was to the Yankee Candle Collection of Massachusetts from whose estate the car is offered today. As now viewed, the car retains the details so prominently noted on its build sheet, together with a discreet 'PB' emblem on the driver's door. According to its current custodians and seemingly borne out from close inspection, the car is not believed to have ever been restored, such that in part it retains original paintwork, while its odometer reading of just over 38,300 miles is entirely supported by the simplicity of its ownership. At some point, the interior does appear to have been refinished in the original colors of trim.
A supremely elegant automobile, the Silver Cloud represents Rolls-Royce at one of the majestic peaks in their storied career. With a succinct history, appealing colors and highly desirable specifications, this must be one of the best to survive.
Sale price
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
