1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Drophead Coupe

The Rolls-Royce factory did not offer an open version of their standard saloon body for the Silver Cloud II. To meet customer's demands, coachbuilders were commissioned to create a custom body on the new chassis.

This example is a Drop Head Coupe with coachwork by H. J. Mulliner. Of the 2,700 Silver Cloud II motorcars built, H.J. Mulliner bodied merely 107 examples as Drop Head Coupes. Only 74 were in left-hand drive configuration.

It is believed that this car has spent the majority of its life in Southern California where it has been carefully preserved and cherished. For several years, it was in the Ruth Buzzi and Kent Perkins collection, two well-known Hollywood figures. In 2003, the car was put on display in the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, CA.

The car is finished in black and drives on proper BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tires. Inside, there are luxurious appointments such as factory air-conditioning, picnic tables, power windows, a signal-seeking radio and convertible lining. The car has just over 60,000 miles.

In 2010, this Silver Cloud II was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $325,000 - $375,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for the sum of $319,000, including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2010