1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Convertible

The Silver Cloud III was the last Rolls-Royce production car built on a separate chassis suitable for coachbuilders to work their craft. Mulliner Park Ward created a pair of two-door convertibles, known as 'drop head coupes' on this chassis, with one being a modified version of the standard steel sedan with nearly identical styling. The other design was a convertible with unique styling and wore design number 2045. The car was sporty and elegant and only a small number were made in total in both right- and left-hand drive configurations.

This example was the 46th of the 49th built with left-hand drive. The original owner took possession on February 8th of 1966. It was delivered to Prince Fawaz Bin Abulaziz Al Saud of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia through the French sales Agent for his use in Europe.

By the late 1980s, the car was owned by a New Jersey resident, who purchased the car with 62,700 miles. In 1990, it came into the Blackhawk Collection in Danville, California. It was given a comprehensive restoration in 1997 including a re-trim in its current St. James Red hide replacing the original Dark Tan. The previous owner purchased the car in 2002 with 69,596 miles. While in their care, the car was given a new convertible top.

The current owner commissioned no less than an additional $20,000 of work to bring the car into perfect running order.

The car is finished in Valentine Black coachwork and powered by a 380 cubic-inch V8 engine fitted with two SU carburetors offering 200 horsepower. There are four-wheel drum brakes and a four-speed automatic gearbox.

In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' event presented by RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $250,000 - $350,000. The car would leave the auction unsold, as the $180,000 high bid was not enough to satisfy the reserve.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2010