1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III news, pictures, and information

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Rolls Royce introduced the Silver Cloud model in April of 1955. It followed the production run of the Silver Dawn, and the relocation of manufacturing to Crewe. The new model was to be somewhat larger, substantially roomier, just as nimble and no less speedy. In addition, provisions were added for conveniences such as power assisted steering, automatic transmission and improved ventilation. Initially, 'sufficient' power came from a staid six-cylinder engine.

The Silver Cloud Series II, introduced in August 1959 saw the introduction of eight-cylinder power. This offset the tendency for both production and coach built bodies, which had become progressively heavier.

The final iteration, the Silver Cloud III, began production in September 1962. The example shown is an unrestored, two-owner vehicle from the final year's production. It has been refinished in the original 'sand' color, but retains the original interior and trim. Initially, Anthony Celeste purchased it as a special order overseas delivery. The current owners acquired the vehicle in 2003 with 18,000 miles showing. Its only purpose for both sets of owners is to be driven for pleasure.

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Chassis Num: DCY 238C

This is the very last of five such hand-built aluminum bodied cars built on the long wheelbase Silver Cloud III chassis from 1963 to 1965 and, to date, the only documented left-hand drive supplied.

This spectacular automobile has been tastefully finished in Velvet Green lacquer, appropriate to the era, complimented by tan tops and hides. It has traveled over 28,000 miles since new and the full ownership history is known. The performance and handling are impressive and in keeping with the indicated mileage.

It was originally equipped with air conditioning and power windows and has retained its full complement of tools. The nine pieces of fitted luggage have been manufactured to the same style as those optionally fitted by the coachbuilder to their Flying Spurs of the era, and an original Continental Touring Spare Kit was acquired to fit inside. The correct handbooks and hang tag instruments for the air conditioner still accompany the automobile.

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Continental James Young Saloon
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis Num: SJR589C

If you were filthy rich in the sixties you owned a Rolls Royce. Back then it was considered ‘The best car in the World'. A great number of the buyers employed a chauffeur to glide them from place to place. A few people however preferred to drive themselves. They also preferred to take the even more extravagant option of having a special coach built body fitted to their vehicle. The James Young Continental was one such option. Built specifically with the younger owner/driver in mind, coachbuilders James Young bodied 20 such examples known as the Silver Cloud III Continental. As the name suggests they were based on the standard steel SC III Saloon but the chassis and running gear were clothed with special lightweight handmade aluminium panels most suited to high-speed continental trips. This particular example was ordered with a very special dashboard in black leather with black bezel instrumentation as opposed to the more usual burr walnut chrome type. Restored in the late eighties this car has been awarded many rosettes at past Rolls-Royce Concours D'Elegance gatherings.

Source - Blackhawk Collection

LWB Sedan

This car is 1 of 253 Silver Cloud III long-wheelbase cars produced. It is a one owner, unrestored car. The owner picked up this car in London in 1962 and kept it until 2008 when it was purchased by its current owner in an estate sale.

The car has very detailed and extensive records of maintenance that span the 43 years of ownership. The originality and unrestored condition of this car is amazing. This car has a rare original cruise control device pictured in the engine compartment.

1965 was the last year that the low production 'Pressed Steel' Silver Cloud Saloon was produced.

The next major model change took place in 1955 with the introductions of the Silver Cloud. It was fitted with the current 4,887cc engine, but a totally new pressed-steel body was designed and the streamlined, elegant and perfectly balanced look of this car made it an instant success. Most cars were fitted with an automatic gearbox although a few were manual.

The rear brakes were combined hydraulic and mechanical with the usual Rolls-Royce gearbox-driven servo. Front suspension was by unequal length wishbones and coil springs with rear semi-elliptic electrically controlled dampers. A top speed of 106 mph was possible.

The press called the new Silver Cloud the 'finest car in the world' and said, 'There is little doubt that these find new cars will carry on the maker's tradition and reputation.' They were right: orders came from all around the world, with an unprecedented number from America, where it proved to be extremely popular in Hollywood.

The Silver Cloud II, launched in 1959, retained the same body as the Silver Cloud I, but was powered by a completely new V8 engine of 6,230cc. Coupled with automatic transmission as standard, the Silver Cloud II set new standards of refinement and performance. The 'Autocar' wrote: 'Only by adopting advanced production methods and thereby increasing yearly output can a superlative machine like this be made today at a price its clientele can afford. The Rolls-Royce is one of very few surviving top quality cars; the maintained standard of overall excellence is rewarded by full order books, and a world reputation which has never stood higher.'

In 1962, a lower bonnet line and twin headlamps were introduced and the Cloud III was born. Engine power was upped by 15% and the top speed rose to 117 mph. The compression ratio was increased and the 1-inch SU carburetors replaced by 2-inch units.

A 1963 road test stated: 'It is a pity that a connoisseur's car like the Rolls-Royce remains far beyond the dreams of the vast majority of the World's motorists, but good to know that cars of this quality can be built still and that there is a healthy market for them. They set a standard that is really appreciated best when one returns to driving lesser cars.'

The Silver Cloud range prompted the immortal line used in its advertising, 'At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.'

Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The last of the Rolls-Royce separate-chassis cars from Crewe, the Silver Cloud was the main vehicle manufactured by Rolls-Royce from April 1955 until March 1966. The Silver Cloud replaced the Silver Dawn and was eventually replaced by the Silver Shadow. A major update from the pre-war models, the main design work was accomplished by J.P. Blatchley.

With a simple steel box section, the chassis was welded together and was very rigid while construction was still split into chassis and pressed steel and aluminum coachwork. It wasn't until the Silver Shadow that the uni-body construction arrived.

Weighing a total of 1.95 ton's, the Silver Cloud measured 5.38 m long and 1.90 m wide. Transmission was a four-speed automatic with an engine that was a 4.9 L six-cylinder unit. Suspension was independent coils at the front and semi-elliptic springs at the rear while the brakes were servo-assisted hydraulic drums.

In 1959 the Silver Cloud II was introduced with minor changes externally, but with the addition of a 6.2 L V8 engine with now pushed the vehicles weight to 2.11 tons. The top speed jumped to 183 km/h while the biggest improvements were showcased in acceleration and torque. Essentially the Silver Cloud with a different engine, the Rolls-Royce new 6.2-liter light-alloy V8 has been said to have been inspired by Cadillac's 1949 OHV unit.

Identical in everything but the nameplate, and of course, the Rolls-Royce radiator and mascot, the Silver Cloud II favored the companion Bentley S-Type Series II. 229 units of this model were long-wheelbase limo's with division window and handcrafted coachwork, though most of these vehicles had the ‘standard steel' sedan body. Though falling behind the rising standard of chassis refinement, the 1959-1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II was still the ‘Best Car in the World'.

In 1963 the Silver Cloud III was unveiled with slightly updated external tweaks and a remodeled interior. The weight of this newest model was reduced by almost 100 kg which resulted in boosted engine speed and slight performance. Very similar to the later Silver Shadow, the headlights were updated to a four-headlamp layout.

A total of 2,238 units of the Silver Cloud were produced during its production time.

Jessica Donaldson