1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I

Produced from April 1955 until March 1966, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was the company's primary model during that time. It replaced the Silver Dawn and was, in turn, replaced by the Silver Shadow. Other models in Rolls-Royce's arsenal at the time included the Phantom V limousine and the Silver Wraith. The latter initially rested on a 127-inch wheelbase with a 133-inch option arriving in 1951 and would be the sole platform from 1953 forward. The Silver Cloud was slightly shorter at 123-inches (plus a 127-inch long wheelbase platform offered for 1957 and 1958). A total of 2,238 examples of the Silver Cloud I were built from 1955 through 1958.

The Silver Cloud II was produced from 1959 to 1962 with 2,417 examples built. The largest improvement introduced with the Silver Cloud II was the new wet-lined 6.2-liter V8 engine. The Silver Cloud III arrived in 1963 and was produced for three years with 2,044 units built. They brought a remodeled interior, engine modifications that resulted in higher engine output, slightly altered external dimensions, and minor exterior styling improvements.

Coachwork

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud used body-on-frame construction with most of the coachwork built with the standard Pressed Steel Company-manufactured steel body shell. Though the name implies 'steel,' all of the doors, bonnet, and boot were constructed of aluminum. Designed by John Blatchley, they were very rigid, and yet, very simple and elegant in design. A small number received coachwork from independent coachbuilders. In comparison, the Silver Wraith was also built using body-on-frame construction and was suitable for a variety of bespoke coachwork from specialist coachbuilders. Most of the bodies were 'formal' limousine four-door saloons. From 1949 through 1955, customers who desired a smaller standard steel body could purchase the Silver Dawn, the predecessor to the Silver Cloud. The coachwork on the Silver Dawn was nearly identical to Rolls-Royce's Bentley Standard Steel saloon.

Along with the 'standard' four-door saloon coachwork, approximately two hundred examples featured coach built bodies. James Young of Bromley, Kent was a South London coachbuilder known for its distinctive detailing, which included unique door handles and graceful body moldings. J. Young offered a four-door saloon and Sedanca Coupe (style number SC20 - only two examples were built and both were for American clients) on the Silver Cloud chassis, Park Ward a four-door long-wheelbase saloon, and Mulliner a two-door coupe. Harold Radford offered conversions of the four-door saloon into an estate car. It is believed that fewer than twenty-five examples wore Drophead Coupe coachwork (style number 7410) by H.J. Mulliner and two by Freestone & Webb (Honeymoon Express). Between 1957 and 1959, it is believed that 122 customers opted for the LWB chassis.

Engine

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 1 was powered by a 300 cubic inch (4.9 liter) inline six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed GM Hydramatic automatic transmission. The engine received twin SU carburetors after September of 1957.

The Silver Cloud's predecessor, the Silver Dawn, initially used a 4.2-liter inline-6 which grew to 4.6-liters in 1951. The Silver Wraith also employed this engine under its bonnet. It had overhead inlet and side exhaust valves (F-Head) and the single double downdraught Stromberg type AAV 26 carburetor setup was used until 1952 when it was replaced by a Zenith DBVC42. The engine's displacement grew to 4,887cc (298.2 cubic inches / 4.9 liters) in 1955 after the introduction of the Silver Cloud. A few of the remaining Silver Wraiths received this powerplant.

Mechanical Specification

The 11-inch drum brakes were hydraulic and assisted by the Rolls-Royce mechanical servo. Twin brake master cylinders were incorporated from April 1956, the same year that power steering and air conditioning became available. 1957 brought a larger cylinder head and larger carburetor, which increased power by an estimated ten percent. The suspension was independent at the front with coil springs while the rear used semi-elliptic springs. The 123-inch wheelbase was the sole platform until it was joined by a 4-inch longer version in September of 1957. The exterior styling of both the 'short' and 'long' wheelbase cars was similar, the most noticeable difference was the improved leg space for the rear-seat passengers.

Weighing in at nearly two tones and powered by a 155 horsepower (power was never officially quoted by Rolls-Royce and was simply referred to as 'adequate'), 4.9-liter six-cylinder engine, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was by no means a sportscar, but it had the performance to compliment the supple luxury. It was capable of achieving top speeds of over 100 mph, however, most of the clients were more interested in the experience of the journey as they were immersed in opulent comfort.

The six-cylinder Silver Cloud I was replaced by the eight-cylinder Silver Cloud II, but the inline-6 was considered smoother than the V8 that followed. The Silver Cloud enjoyed greater production and a longer lifespan than any model that preceded it. It was eventually replaced by the Silver Shadow in 1967.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: LSFE 451
Engine number: SE 225

Ever since its founding in 1906, Rolls-Royce has always sought after the highest standards of elegance and luxury. The Silver Cloud would have to be considered its standard-bearer and the image of the brand during the 1950s.

Utilizing the steel body shell manufactured by the Pressed Steel Company, the Silver Cloud line of automobile was very rigid, and yet, very simple in its design. This elegant simplicity would be at the heart of the replacement for the Silver Dawn.

Weighing in at nearly two tones and powered by a 4.9-liter six-cylinder engine producing 155hp, the car was by no means a sportscar, but it had the performance to combine neatly with the supple luxury. Yes, the car could reach a top speed of just over 100mph, but the car wasn't about that. It was about the experience of a journey immersed in opulent comfort.

The Silver Cloud I would begin production in 1955 and would continue through 1958. In total, 2,238 examples would be built in various guises. One of the rarest of all body designs built over the course of the production run would be number 7410, the Drophead Coupe.

In all, just eleven examples of the Drophead Coupe would be built for the Silver Cloud I chassis. What would make this example so rare was the fact it would come with left-hand drive and with an aluminum body instead of the steel. Chassis LSFE 451 would be one of those chassis that would bear upon itself one of the eleven designs.

The chassis would be even more extraordinary. Between 1955 and 1965 just about 200 examples would feature coachbuilt bodies. This would be one of them. Produced by H.J. Mulliner, design 7410 was considered one of the prime designs of the time.

This car was actually part of a pair ordered by music publishers, Chappell & Co. They were presented as gifts to Broadway composers Lerner and Loewe, who would be remembered for the score for My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Gigi, Camelot and a number of others. Loewe would retire and would move to California in the early 1970s, coming with him would be LSFE 451.

In 1977, after some twenty years, Loewe would sell the Drophead Coupe to its second owner. Some time later, the car would change hands again, ending up in the hands of Jim Toole. Toole was a Rolls-Royce and Bentley enthusiast extraordinaire. Detailed and determined, Toole would take to restoring the car by himself.

Proving his talent and eye for detail, Toole would present the Rolls-Royce at a number of events and would often come away victorious. In 1983, the car would achieve the H.J. Mulliner Park Ward Trophy at the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club meeting in San Diego. Then, in 1991, the car would receive a First Place Senior Trophy at the Monterey National Meet. That same year, and at the very same event, the car would achieve the Guerrero Award given for Best Personal Restoration.

The timeless elegance of the car, and its numerous awards, would lead to the car being featured in a numerous forms of literature. The car could be found in Lawrence Dalton's effort Rolls-Royce: The Elegance Continues, as well as, in The Flying Lady.

Purchased from Toole, the new owner has maintained the car's form and look. Detailed, still bearing three pieces of original monogrammed luggage, its Continental Touring Kit and coming complete with original build sheets and historical file, the 1958 Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupe remains drop-dead gorgeous.

Offered as part of Gooding & Company's 2015 Arizona auction, the Drophead Coupe would draw initial estimates ranging from between $500,000 and $700,000. The final sale price would be $550,000.

by Jeremy McMullen

Drophead Coupé by Freestone & Webb
Chassis number: SGE270
Engine number: SCI385

One of only one percent of all Silver Clouds were truly given bespoke coachwork. This drophead coupe wears coachwork by Freestone & Webb and is one of just three with this body style, two produced for the Cloud I and a third on a Bentley S1 chassis.

The first owner of SGE270 was Arnold Moreton of Manchester, England. Moreton was Supreme Ruler, Intendent Ruler of the Lancashire Province Western Division and later became Deputy Grand Supreme Ruler of the Freemasons.

The Rolls-Royce rolling chassis was delivered to Freestone & Webb in London on March 11th of 1958. Moreton took delivery of the car on June 16th. The Freestone & Webb 'Honeymoon Express' has graceful, gently rounded side panels, with body sides of this car featured concave coves that stretched from stem to stern. There are rear wings that feature aggressive vertical tail fins. The interior is designed for two passengers, and the bucket seats had a pair of fold-down armrests with adjustable seat backs.

The car is finished in two-tone Lugano blue with Silver Chalice coves. Each door features a round pull-out ashtray. Another smoker's tray slides out from under the original radio. A pair of cocktail cabinets flanks the rear storage area and each contains a cocktail shaker and four crystal whiskey tumblers. A tilt-up vanity mirror is fitted to the left-side cubby box door, and a pair of gallery posts front the driver's side open cubby box. There is power-assisted steering and power windows. It has an original Radiomobile medium- and long-wave radio with power antenna. There is a spacious luggage compartment fitted with scarlet wool carpet and leather binding, and an extensive hand tool tray. The car was fitted with a pair of unique gauges, an outside temperature thermometer and an altimeter. A tachometer is paired with the speedometer.

Inside, there is scarlet red Connolly leather interior and matching red carpets are fitted with British Wilton wool broadloom. Burled Circassian walnut veneers define the fascia, trim and window sills. There is a hydraulic top that raises and lowers the navy blue canvas power top. When lowered, it disappears below the belt line, completely hidden under the electrically operated metal cover.

Power is from an F-head six-cylinder engine breathing through two SU carburetors and offering 178 horsepower. There is a four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission and power-assisted hydraulic front and hydro-mechanical rear drum brakes

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction's Monaco sale. Bidding reached €710.000 but was not enough to satisfy the vehicle's reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupé by Freestone & Webb
Chassis number: SGE270
Engine number: SCI385

This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, with its extravagant body, is one of three similar cars built by London coachbuilder Freestone & Webb. The car is also the last car built by Freestone & Webb. With rakish styling and rear fins, two seats, luxurious accouterments, and cavernous trunk space, the design was dubbed the 'Honeymoon Express.' Alas, only three were built, two Rolls-Royce motor cars and one Bentley. The twin to this Rolls-Royce was showcased at 1957 British International Motor Show at Earls Court, where it was the star of the show.

This car was delivered June 1958 to Arnold Morton who passed away in 1982 after selling the car to Charles Atman of New York in 1975. It was on display and cared for by Michael Schudroff for many years before passing to its third owner. Since 2017, the two sisters have been reunited in the Lee Automobile Collection.

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: LSFE 451
Engine number: SE 225

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was produced in a wide variety of styles throughout its decade-long production run, though only a handful were the H.J. Mulliner Drop Head Coupe with design number 7410. H.J. Mulliner modified and adapted the Drop Heads from standard, steel saloons. The bodies were designed from a clean sheet and individually constructed in aluminum. They were fitted with cathedral taillights and luxurious appointments.

It is believed that less than twenty-five examples of the drophead coupe were built, of which 11 were originally specified in the left-hand drive configuration.

This example, chassis number LSFE 451, is a left-hand drive example that was delivered to its first owner, Lillie Hall, in November of 1957. It was finished in Black Pearl with scarlet Connolly hides and a black convertible top. It was registered UGU 935 and sent to Ferryfield Airport on June 21st of 1958, fully outfitted with power-assisted steering, door-lock weather shields, Dunlop whitewall tires, a Continental spares kit and a radio, as well as an RAC badge and a 'Made in England' plate.

Upon its arrival in the United States, this Rolls-Royce was delivered to the RKO Building in Rockefeller Center for Chappell & Co. Inc., the famed music publishing company. A short time later it was presented to musical theater composer Frederick Loewe in appreciation of his award-winning work on My Fair Lady.

Ownership later passed to Joseph V. Nash. In 1977, a short time after Mr. Nash purchased the vehicle, it was offered for sale in The Flying Lady where it was described as having 59,000 miles.

Jim Toole of Los Angeles purchased it in 1979. The car was treated to a ground-up restoration that began in 1980. When the work was completed, the vehicle won more than 60 first place awards at various concours and club meets.

In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $550,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $451,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: LSED321
Engine number: SD385

This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Saloon came equipped from the factory with air conditioning and Sundym glass. It was delivered by Kumpf Motor Car Company, of Denver, Colorado and was originally owned by Daniel V. Edmundson of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The next owner was Colonel Achille Carlisle Tisdelle, of nearby Manalapan.

In 1994, the car was purchased by Mr. Malcolm Pray.

The car wears an older restoration. In 2002, the transmission was rebuilt and and in 2012, cosmetic work was performed which included rechroming the bumpers and repainting the trunk lid.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by James Young

The Silver Cloud, manufactured from April 1955 to March 1966 in three different series, was the last Rolls-Royce model from Crewe made available as a separate chassis. It replaced the Silver Dawn and was eventually replaced by the Silver Shadow. Among the most prestigious coachbuilders for the Silver Cloud was James Young of Bromley, Kent. The South London coachbuilder was known for its distinctive detailing, which included unique door handles and graceful body moldings.

This James Young coupe was built for William Goetz, founder of 20th Century Fox and husband of Edith Mayer, the daughter of Louis B. Mayer, who was the head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. After the car was delivered in February 1959 via the Peter Sartori Dealership in Pasadena, Goetz used it in Hollywood every day until his death in 1969.

Countryman Saloon by Harold Radford

The Silver Cloud was the zenith of prestige and luxury, carrying on the Rolls-Royce names from 1955 - 1965. The elegant body, designed by John Blatchley, masked a 4.9-liter inline 6-cylinder engine from the pre-WWII Silver Wraith, four-wheel drum brakes, and Rolls-Royce's last separate body/chassis. 7,248 units were produced during the production run built side-by-side with its sister Bentley S-Series.

This car was on the stand at the April 1958 New York Auto Show and used for one year as a show car by Rolls-Royce. It was fitted with a Harold Radford Countryman conversion including fold down rear seats that form beds, a picnic table, and special items used for camping.

Sedanca Coupe by James Young
Chassis number: LSFE99
Engine number: SE49

This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I wears a Sedanca Coupe body, style number SC20, by James Young. Only two examples were produced and both were built for American clients. One of the distinguishable features was the sliding roof panel over the driver's compartment.

This particular example was commissioned by Dr. Rudolph A. Light of Nashville, Tennessee. It was optioned with an automatic transmission, power steering, and an original livery of silver with green interior. Dr. Samuel L. Scher of New York purchased the car in the 1960s. He eventually owned both of the James Young sedanca coupes, and had both redesigned to his tastes by the British coachbuilders FLM-Panelcraft. The side windows in the roof were blanked off and landau irons added, the rear window was reduced in size, and free-standing Marchal headlights were installed. The body was finished in Reuter Red.

One of his neighbors living in Palm Beach later acquired the car. In the 1990s it was acquired by a marque specialist, who sold it to the current owners.

Currently the car has 6,553 miles on the odometer. It has a modern Blaupunkt stereo system and trunk-mounted air conditioning.

by Dan Vaughan

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.'

by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

by Rolls-Royce

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.

by Jessican Donaldson