Lot details Registration No: JWW 387 Chassis No: SCC19 Mot Expiry: Sept 2011
Rolls-Royce launched the Silver Cloud (retrospectively dubbed Silver Cloud I) in April 1955. It was based on a completely new closed box-section chassis frame that was reputedly fifty percent stiffer than that of the outgoing Silver Dawn. The handsome standard body was penned by in-house designer John Polwhele Blatchley and was so well proportioned as to belie its considerable overall length of 17ft 8in. Though the retention of a separate chassis allowed for the production of bespoke bodies, all but 157 of the 2,360 Cloud Is produced prior to the model's replacement by the Cloud II featured the in-house offering - a steel shell with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid. The car was powered by an alloy-headed, straight-six engine of 4887cc that delivered some 155bhp at 4,000 rpm. This was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Braking was by servo-assisted 11-inch drums all round. The suspension was independent with coil springs at the front and featured a 'live' axle hung on semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. Changes introduced in 1956 included the incorporation of twin brake master cylinders and the option of power steering and air conditioning. A test by Motor magazine in 1956 recorded a top speed of 102.9 mph and a time of 13.5 seconds for the 0-60 mph dash. The average fuel consumption was 14.5 mpg.
Finished in Dark Blue over Silver with Grey leather upholstery, this particular example is understood to have had just three owners. Citing various old MOT certificates dating back to 1973, the vendor believes but does not warrant the Rolls-Royce to have covered a mere 18,000 miles from new. Reportedly off the road from the 1970s until 2006, the Silver Cloud has since been mechanically recommissioned and cosmetically restored. Resprayed and retrimmed with new woodwork and leather, the luxury saloon has also benefited from sundry rechroming and replacement tyres. Nicely presented, this elegant Rolls-Royce is offered for sale with various old MOT certificates, buff and green logbooks and current MOT certificate valid until September 2011.
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