1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Limousine

British coachbuilder James Young produced 37 coachbuilt bodies for the Silver Cloud II, with only three being left-hand-drive examples to this design. This particular example, a saloon or 'touring limousine', features large rear pillars which provided additional privacy to the rear seat passengers. The styling was inspired by Young's design number PV22 on the Phantom V.

This car's first owner was Alan P.L. Prest Sr. It was special-ordered with Rolls-Royce's New York air conditioning system, a Motorola radio with power antenna, rear seat reading lamps, his family crest applied to the rear doors, and a unique luggage rack fitted over the rear deck. Mr. Prest and his wife, Naomi traveled from Connecticut to England to take delivery of the Silver Cloud II on January 8th of 1961. They then went on a six-month continental tour with the car, after which it was shipped after them to New York, aboard HMS Assyria, arriving home on June 10th of 1961.

When the car left the factory it was finished in Pacific Green with a beige leather interior. Currently, it is in the era-correct Rolls-Royce livery of shimmering Sable over Masons Black, with fine red coach lining. The interior is trimmed in walnut veneers, retains its original tan Connolly hides, and has Cumberland Stone Wilton wool carpets with Sable mouton overlays. In the mid-1970s, the car received Lucas P100 headlamps.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2018