1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

The Silver Cloud was a luxury automobile with wood-framed bodywork and a forest's worth of burled walnut. The interior was comfortable and the engine was smooth and silent. This model represented the company's first attempts at contemporary styling, with smaller bumpers, a lowered hood and radiator shell, quad headlamps, and separate front seats.

Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud model in April of 1955. It followed the production run of the Silver Dawn and the relocation of manufacturing to Crewe. The new model was to be somewhat larger, substantially roomier, just as nimble and no less speedy. In addition, provisions were added for conveniences such as power-assisted steering, automatic transmission, and improved ventilation. Initially, 'sufficient' power came from a staid six-cylinder engine.

The Silver Cloud Series II, introduced in August 1959, saw the introduction of eight-cylinder power. This offset the tendency for both production and coach-built bodies, which had become progressively heavier.

The final iteration, the Silver Cloud III, began production in September 1962 and continued through 1965 with 2,809 examples built. They were the zenith of prestige and luxury, wearing hand-wrought bodies covering a powerful eight-cylinder engine, four-wheel drum brakes, separate chassis and body, and a live rear axle. These were the last truly hand-made Rolls-Royce in the grandest tradition. The Silver Cloud carried the Rolls-Royce banner for nearly eleven years until the arrival of the Silver Shadow in 1965.

The 6.2-liter V8 engine was introduced with the arrival of the Silver Cloud II in 1959, replacing the previous 4.9-liter inline-6. Despite the new wet-linered V8 having hydraulic tappet operation, it was neither as smooth nor as quiet as the engine it replaced but did offer an increase in horsepower and torque.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud used body-on-frame construction with most of the bodies built with the standard Pressed Steel Company-manufactured steel body shell. The chassis was 212 inches long, 75 inches wide, and was formed as a simple steel box section that was welded together. Stopping power was courtesy of hydraulic Rolls-Royce mechanical servo-assisted 11-inch drum brakes. The suspension used independent coils at the front and semi-elliptic springs at the back. Power steering and air conditioning were optional in 1956, and power steering became standard in 1959 with the Silver Cloud II. Electrically operated windows were a new option on the Silver Cloud II.

Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud III in October of 1962 at the Paris Salon, where it rested alongside the Bentley S3. This version introduced minor mechanical updates and slight styling changes. Although 'minor' was the key phrase here, there were 'many' of them.

In the mechanical department, the external dimensions were slightly altered, offering a little more space for the redesigned interior as well as the engine bay. The previous 1 3/4-inch carburetors were replaced with 2-inch SU units, and the compression ratio was increased to 9:1 to accommodate the higher octane levels of premium fuel in major markets. The lower 8:1 compression ratio was optional and popular for markets that did not have the higher octane fuels. The updates increased horsepower, although Rolls-Royce continued its tradition of indicating output as 'adequate.' To cope with the increase in power, the engine received a nitride-hardened crankshaft. The transmission was a GM Hydramatic which Rolls-Royce used under license.

The headlights used a four-headlamp layout, and the slope of the hoodline increased to correspond with the 1.5-inch reduction in radiator grille height.

The Silver Cloud III continued to straddle both modern bodies and traditional coachbuilding techniques. Rolls-Royce's coachbuilding shop, H.J. Mulliner had introduced a Drophead Coupe 'Adaptation' late in Silver Cloud I production, and a similar style was used exclusively on the Silver Cloud II. It was known as an 'Adaptation' because it was based on factory Standard Steel Saloon body panels and inner structure but thoroughly reworked with factory components, resulting in a fully custom coachbuilt masterpiece. A total of 37 examples were built including 25 with left-hand-drive configuration. Soon after the arrival of the Silver Cloud III, Rolls-Royce debuted a new Drophead Coupe that used more modern building practices. Park Ward also offered a Drophead Coupe and a Limousine built on the longer wheelbase, and James Young listed a Sport Saloon, coupe, and a Touring Limousine available on either the short or long chassis.

While the Silver Cloud III was scheduled to be replaced by the unitized new Silver Shadow in 1965, demand from Rolls-Royce traditionalists forced a special series of Silver Cloud III chassis that continued in production well into 1966.

Of the 2,809 examples of the Silver Cloud III built, 2,555 rested on the short wheelbase and 254 used the longer version. Three hundred twenty-eight coachbuilt examples were built on the normal-length chassis and 47 on the long wheelbase.

Saloon
Chassis number: LSEV29
Engine number: SV14E

Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their Cloud and S-Type predecessors. The duo's performance, however, was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminum-alloy V8 engine. They were wider and shorter than the 'six' they replaced, the new V8 power unit fitted relatively easily within the engine bay, relocation of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame being the most obvious alteration to the previous arrangements. Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one on offer, and power steering was standardized

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and its Bentley S3 equipment were introduced in 1962 and were powered by the 6.2-liter V8 engine introduced on the Cloud II and S2 range, though with larger carburetors, new distributor, and raised compression ratio. They also came with a four-speed GM-derived automatic transmission as standard equipment. Other changes included the adoption of four-headlamp lighting, the absence of sidelights from the wing tops, and a slightly lower radiator shell. The inside received improved accommodation with separate front seats and increased room for rear passengers.

The Silver Cloud III was also the last mainstream Rolls-Royce to employ a separate chassis. Production continued until the autumn of 1965.

This example was built for the American market in 1963 and delivered through the Rambler dealer in Palm Springs, California, to its first owner, Mr. F. Newman in Las Vegas, Nevada. Finished in Astral Blue with blue leather upholstery, the Rolls-Royce was specified with Dunlop whitewall tires, a Blue Spot radio, electric windows, and Ambassador Blue lambs-wool rugs front and rear.

The current owner's wife's family purchased the car in 1965, effectively making this a two-family ownership example from new. It is a low mileage example showing just 29,708 miles on the odometer. Since it left the2 factory, the car has been given seat belts, a modern stereo/CD player, and air conditioning. It is currently finished in two-tone gold and burgundy with matching burgundy leather interior.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $48,300, including the buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Long Wheelbase Touring Limo by James Young
Chassis number: LCAL 1
Engine number: CL1A

This James Young Touring Limousine is the first of only seven left-hand drive all-aluminum examples built from 1963-1964. This Silver Cloud III long-wheelbase car is finished in Midnight Blue over Blue Grey hides. It was taken straight from the factory to the Paris Salon, where it was displayed by the French importer Franco Britannic Autos. It was delivered in September 1962 to its first owner a Mrs. H. Worms of Paris, France. The car came to the USA in 1977 when Mr. William Whitehouse of New Jersey purchased it. In 1984, owner Mitch Leigh, the producer of 'The King and I' granted access to the car to famed actor Yul Brynner. This gave rise to the inaccurate belief that the car belonged to Mr. Brynner.

Some of the wonderful features on this car are: rear division window, electric aerial and windows, rear reading lamps, Speedo in KPH, lambs-wool rugs, and vanity accessories. It is equipped with air conditioning, power steering and power window lifts. In the rear armrest, there is a leather-covered flask of the era accompanied by a set of Waterford Crystal glasses. It also retains its full complement of books and tools along with all of the factory records.

The current stewards of the car have devoted considerable resources to upgrading the restoration of the car and exercising it frequently.

by Rolls-Royce

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: LSCX447

This 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Mulliner Drophead Coupe is 1 of 27 left-hand drives ever built. This 73,673-mile example was refinished in New York City about 12 years ago. During 1998-1999 the mechanical aspects were reviewed and rebuilt as necessary to ensure the correct and reliable operation of the automobile.

by Blackhawk Collection

by Rolls-Royce

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner

This Silver Cloud III is considered the prelude to the Silver Shadow models of the mid-1960s. It featured increased compression, for additional power allowing for options such as air conditioning. It carried a lower radiator and four headlights. This example carries drophead coachwork by H.J. Mulliner.

This is one of just 25 left-hand drive models produced in 1963. It is finished in Dusk Grey, with scarlet hides and shows just as it was ordered by Mrs. Axel Borstrom, of Stockholm, Sweden. It sports a series of unique features, such as a right front headrest, special veneers to match a Bentley Flying Spur, a dashboard-mounted tachometer, an opening rear armrest and more.

A few years later, the now divorced Mrs. Borstrom sold the car to a noted Hollywood personality and the careful ownership since is known. It was shown at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it had 73,714 km (46,000 mile).

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: LSDW 87
Engine number: SW 43 D

This 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner was once in the care of legendary singer and dancer, Sammy Davis Jr. Mr. Davis Jr. purchased the car in April of 1963. The car was painted in period Sand livery with a beige interior. Tinted 'sundym' glass, electric front windows and a companion, containing notebook, compact, and cigarette case in the rear armrest, are all listed as requirements for this special order.

The next owner of the car was Rolls-Royce dealer John J. Schaler III of Indianapolis before being sold to another L.A. owner, Robert Wells. The history of the car was lost from that point, but it re-surfaced in the 1990s when it was sold publicly in Scottsdale, Arizona. The listing stated the car had received a complete restoration, which included a bare metal respray to maroon paint, engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, new brakes, all chrome re-plated and a new interior. The car was purchased and sent to Germany. It returned to the United States in 2010. Since that time, the car has been re-painted to its original Sand color scheme.

In 2011, this vehicle was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge auction presented by Bonhams. It was estimated to sell for $475,000 - $550,000 but its reserve was not met and the car would leave the auction unsold.

by Dan Vaughan

Long Wheelbase Touring Limo by James Young
Chassis number: CCL33

In the limousine market during the 1950s, Rolls-Royce catered to the wealthy, heads of state, and royalty with their Phantom IV and Silver Wraith. With the introduction of the Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type, a long-wheelbase version of this modern design became available. The bodies were closely based on the factory's standard offering. They were four inches longer in the wheelbase than the standard saloon and usually fitted out with an internal division, the majority handled by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward (soon to become H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward). A few other examples were given bodywork by external coachbuilders such as James Young.

In the autumn of 1959, the Cloud II/S2 models were introduced along with a new 6230cc aluminum-alloy V8 engine. The long-wheelbase models would continue; they would account for a little over 10% of production, and only 253 examples were produced.

This particular example was sold new in the United Kingdom, originally being built for a Mr. V.A. Ercolani of Broad Oaks in Chigwell, Essex. Mr. Ercolani took delivery of the car in September 1963 and registered it with the British Plate of 'VE 3'.

The car was finished in 'Special dark Maroon' paint scheme and with tan leather interior. Mr. Ercolani traded his Silver Cloud 1 also with James Young coachwork against his new purchase.

Later in life, the car would cross the Atlantic and become part of the Frank Matthew Jr. collection of New Orleans, Louisiana. In the late 1990s, it came into the care of its present owner.

The car has a magnolia leather interior piped in burgundy and plush burgundy carpets and over-rugs. It wears a much older repaint to the current tobacco brown scheme. The 6230cc overhead valve V8 engine is estimated to produce 220 horsepower. There is a 4-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner

Six is probably amongst the shortest of all production runs, but such is the story of the Silver Cloud four-door Drophead cabriolet. This car, delivered in July 1965, was the last one produced. The model began when famed toy manufacturer, Louis Marx, commissioned the car he wanted: one with the looks of the H.J. Mulliner 7410 DHC, but with four doors so he could easily get in the back seat and still be chauffeur driven. This car was commissioned by Melvin Gelman of the Gelman Construction Company who ordered it to be painted in 'Dockers Golden Beige Iridescent' with off-white hides and a dark green convertible top. Gelman's surviving records indicate he paid in excess of $40,000, likely making it one of, if not the most expensive Silver Cloud-based automobile ever built. The current owner ordered a full restoration specifying velvet green lacquer with a tan top and hides. The car was originally equipped with air-conditioning, power windows and still has its full complement of tools. Service records and general running conditions support the current mileage showing on the odometer of just above 28,000 miles.

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: LSCX 789
Engine number: SX394C

Most of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III models were bodied as a saloon, however, those with the means could order bespoke coachwork through coachbuilder Mulliner Parks Ward. This particular car is one such example, and one of only 27 left-hand-drive 'adaptations' constructed by the coachbuilder.

The original owner of this car was William M. Young of Wilmington, Delaware, who had it sent to Mulliner Park Ward to receive Drophead Coupe 10018 (body design number 2007). Upon completion, it was finished in Shell Grey with a black Connolly leather interior. It was equipped with Sundyn glass, power windows, a power-operated top, a power aerial, white sidewall tires, and a Lucas driver's side mirror. It was completed and shipped to J.S. Inskip Rolls-Royce in New York on May 24, 1963, aboard the Belgian car ferry, Mv Prinses Josephine Charlotte.

It was sold to its next caretaker in 1965, who retained it for approximately four decades. Its new owner, Michel Kruch of Belgium, treated the car to a re-freshening.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: LSDW231

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was introduced in 1955 and would receive continuous, methodical development to the Silver Cloud II, introduced in 1959. This was followed by the Silver Cloud III, introduced towards the end of 1962. The Silver Cloud III brought with it mainly cosmetic changes, the most notable of which is a new four-headlamp arrangement upfront. Other stylistic updates included a lowered front fender/hood line when the factory-built Standard Steel Saloon was unveiled during late 1962. For the first time, the Drophead Coupe and Fixed-Head Coupe bodies that were previously exclusive to the Bentley Continental were also made available to buyers on the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III chassis.

The Silver Cloud's 6.2-liter alloy block-and-head V8 engine now offered eight percent more power than before, however, official power ratings were never published. Drum-type hydraulic brakes remained standard equipment. While the Silver Cloud III was scheduled to be replaced by the unitized new Silver Shadow in 1965, demand from Rolls-Royce traditionalists forced a special series of Silver Cloud III chassis that continued in production well into 1966.

During its production lifespan, there were 2,809 examples of the Silver Cloud III produced, comprising of 2,555 short and 254 long-wheelbase cars. Along with the 'standard'-bodied four-door Saloon, a limited number of coachbuilt bodies (328 on the normal-length chassis and 47 on the long-wheelbase chassis) were also fitted to the Silver Cloud III chassis.

This particular example is chassis number LSDW231, with the 'L' prefix denoting a factory-built left-hand drive model. It is a U.S.A.-specification example that was equipped with factory options including a radio, electric aerial, electric windows, and plain 'Sundym' glass throughout, plus Dunlop white-sided tubeless tires.

This car was delivered on June 19th of 1963 and sold new by Schneider Motors Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota to first owner R.D. Onan of Excelsior, Minnesota. In June of 1975, it was acquired by Paul M. Resnick of La Jolla, California, followed by Ronald N. Aurswald of Costa Mesa during October 1984. Mr. Aurswald retained the car for about a decade before selling it to Robert M. DeShaye of Olympia, Washington. Michael W. McGuire of Evergreen, Colorado, owned the car from 1999 to 2004. It was later owned by Steven Wolf of Boca Raton, Florida. A total restoration was undertaken by the two prior owners and brought to fulfillment by the current caretaker, with a reported $250,000 invested in the process.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner

This factory H. J. Mulliner right-hand drive drop head coupe was converted to left-hand drive during restoration. It is powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 engine and is one of 12 produced by H.J. Mulliner.

Short Wheelbase Touring Limo by James Young
Chassis number: LCAL17

This is the second of only seven left-drive models built from 1963 to 1965. Only two of them were supplied with individual front seats instead of divider partitions. The original owner was William Harrah, a pioneer auto enthusiast, who went on to establish a collection that included 3,000 cars at his hotel & casino in Las Vegas. He also owned Modern Classic Motors, the Rolls-Royce and Ferrari distributorship for that area of the United States.

The car was delivered on November 7, 1962. It was finished in two shades of gray with a blue-gray broadcloth interior. It was part of the Harrah stable of Rolls-Royces until it was sold to a close friend a few years later. It was then refinished and refitted to match another car from the Harrah Collection.

It remained with that owner until 2013, when its third owner commissioned an upgrade. It had covered 96,000 miles. A fresh lacquer respray in period colors of Antelope over Garnet was commissioned in 2018.

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner

Launched in 1962, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III was powered by a 6.2-liter aluminum-alloy V8 engine sending power through a four-speed automatic transmission. Most obvious among the many changes from the preceding Cloud II models were the adoption of four-headlamp lighting, a more sloping bonnet, and a slightly lower radiator shell. Inside there was improved accommodation with separate front seats and increased room for rear passengers.

The Cloud III was the last production Rolls-Royce to employ a separate coachbuilt chassis, which means that this was generally the last car on which custom coachwork could be ordered. This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe is one of 25 left-hand drive examples.

The owner has lovingly restored every aspect of this car over the course of four years, in memory of her brother, who was the previous owner.

Saloon

This 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III wears a standard saloon body and is powered by a 6.2-liter 8-cylinder engine backed by a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. It has body-on-frame construction and a factory air conditioning system.

by Dan Vaughan

Long Wheelbase Touring Limo by James Young

This 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III is one of thirty-nine James Young SCT100 Long-Wheelbase Limousine with a division window. It is powered by the wet-linered eight-cylinder engine backed by a Hydra-Matic transmission with hydraulic drum brakes providing the stopping power.

by Dan Vaughan

Drophead Coupe by Mulliner
Chassis number: SCX1

This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe was delivered in July 1962 and subsequently sold to the director of the original Superman movie, Richard Donner. It was converted to left drive in the United Kingdom for him before delivery to Los Angeles, California, where it was expertly looked after by the most highly regarded marque specialists in that area until Mr. Donner's demise. At that time, it was acquired from his estate along with its extensive service pedigree by its current caretaker (Vantage Motorworks) on December 9, 2021. A mechanical and cosmetic restoration soon followed, bringing it to its current superb condition.