Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Drophead Coupé, 1957
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I•
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Chassis No.: SBC 118
Estimate: £350,000 - £450,000 GBP
- One of only 21 built.
- Present ownership for 20 years
- Professionally restored in the late 1990s
- Meticulously maintained
In common with earlier models of the Rolls-Royce - ever since the first model in 1905 - the latest model, known as the Silver Cloud, carries on the tradition of employing only those features of design which have been thoroughly proved, allied with meticulous attention to detail and finish. The successive design staffs of this famous firm have never attempted to be the
avant-garde
, but have preferred to control the construction of proved designs so carefully that the result would excel.
'This latest model is faster, roomier, quieter and no less economical than its predecessors and, bearing in mind the make's reputation for reliability, one that could be much cheaper to run for a long term than many much more humble productions.' – John Eason Gibson, Country Life.
Introduced early in 1955, the all-new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type were conceived as replacements for the ageing Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type. The duo sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section separate chassis - Rolls-Royce eschewing unitary construction for the time being - incorporating improved brakes and suspension, the latter featuring electrically controlled damping. Enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the - traditionally undisclosed - power output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine, while automatic transmission was now standard and power-assisted steering an option.
Fast (100mph-plus) relatively economical and cheaper to maintain than the successor V8-engined versions, the Silver Cloud is arguably the most user-friendly of all post-war Rolls-Royces.
Despite the popularity of Rolls-Royce's 'standard steel' factory bodywork, bespoke creations from coachbuilders James Young and the soon-to-be-merged firms of H J Mulliner and Park Ward Ltd (the latter already owned by Rolls-Royce) continued to be available on the Silver Cloud chassis for those discerning enthusiasts wealthy enough to afford them. Indeed, as the factory did not offer a convertible or drophead coupé, a coachbuilt car was the only option if one's preference was Rolls-Royce-style fresh air motoring. H J Mulliner's was by far the most successful of this type, lasting into 1963.
The firm was also responsible for the first Bentley Continental, an outstanding design by any standard, and its two-door bodies on both Rolls and Bentley chassis are recognised as among the era's most elegant. Hand crafted style such as this attracted a hefty premium though, H J Mulliner's drophead coupé being priced some 50% above the standard Silver Cloud four-door saloon, which was already one of the world's most expensive cars.
'Luxury clothed in aluminium', chassis number 'SBC 118' was constructed to H J Mulliner's design number '7410'. Mulliner completed only 21 drophead coupés on the 'Silver Cloud I' chassis (11 left-hand and 10 right-hand drive).
Mentioned in the book 'Original Rolls-Royce & Bentley 1946-69' by James Taylor, 'SBC 118' was ordered by J P W Maynard Esq of Fulmer, Buckinghamshire through London dealership George Newman Ltd. First registered on 18th April 1957, the car was delivered with the optional power-assisted steering and power-operated hood, both of which remain in working condition today. The original colour scheme was Valentine's light grey with dark blue Connolly leather interior and black hood.
In February 1961 the Rolls-Royce was bought by one M E Kirkpatrick of Lowesby Hall, Billsdon, Leicestershire, passing in 1984 to Richard C Himmel in the USA. Based in Chicago, Richard Himmel enjoyed a successful career as an interior designer during the 1960s and 1970s, working for clients including Muhammad Ali, the Playboy Club, and the Chicago Sun-Times' famous gossip columnist, Irv Kupcinet. Later on Richard and Elinor Himmel moved with their children to Palm Beach, Florida, and there are photographs of the Rolls-Royce in Florida on file. The Himmels kept the Silver Cloud until 1998 when it was bought by the current vendor in Holland.
When the current owner purchased the car it had been repainted bronze and was in a good driving condition though showing signs of age. Accordingly, the owner commissioned an extensive restoration to the highest standard, which was carried out by Noblehouse in the Netherlands. The exterior colour scheme was changed again, on this occasion to the very attractive dark blue with matching hood and beige interior, which it retains today. The restoration was finished in 2000 and the Rolls-Royce registered for the road in Belgium. Since then it has been used regularly but only in good weather, covering around 15,000 miles over the course of the last 18 years.
The vendor advises us that this Silver Cloud has been maintained meticulously, receiving its last major service in 2013. At the same time the rear axle was renewed and the final drive ratio changed to enable high-speed cruising at reduced revs, while the engine, cooling system, steering mechanism, and ventilation system were checked over by Leo Stoffels in the Netherlands, as confirmed by bills on file totalling over €15,000. Accompanying documentation also includes copies of the Rolls-Royce and Mulliner build sheets; copy old US title; FIVA Identity Card (issued 2002); taxation report (dated 2000); Belgian registration papers; and invoices for parts and work carried out totalling an estimated €80,000-plus.
An older restoration that holds up extremely well, this elegant coachbuilt Silver Cloud is presented in lovely condition and according to the private vendor is in excellent working order.
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/24880/lot/20/1957-rolls-royce-silver-cloud-drophead-coupe/
