1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II

The Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce and the Bentley S-Type, both introduced in early 1955, were built with unitary construction. They had improved brakes and suspension. The engine was enlarged to 4887cc and modified with a six-port cylinder head which gave an increase in power. An automatic gearbox was now offered as standard equipment and power-assisted steering was optional. As the 1960s came into sight, Rolls-Royce employed V8 power in place of the six. This series of the Silver Cloud and S2 Bentley was introduced in the autumn of 1959. The external appearance was unchanged from their predecessors, but under-hood lurked a much more potent powerplant. The aluminum-alloy unit displaced 6230cc and offered a considerable improvement in performance. It was wider and shorter than its six-cylinder predecessor but was relatively easy to fit in the engine bay. The steering box was relocated from the inside to the outside of the chassis frame. The Rolls-Royce four-speed automatic was the only transmission used; power steering was now standard.

Rolls-Royce offered factory bodies, along with custom-creations by James Young, H.J. Mulliner, and Park Ward Ltd. The factory bodies did not include drophead coupes or convertibles. These body styles were only available through coachbuilders.

This example was originally a right-hand drive Silver Cloud II Convertible. It is painted in silver over black with dark red upholstery and black hood. There is a spare wheel, jack, and pump. In 2007 it was brought to Carmel, California where it was offered for sale at Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia, and estimated to sell for $275,000 - 325,000. The lot failed to find an interested buyer willing to satisfy the car's reserve. It left the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2011