1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
Supplied new to film maker and studio owner Kenneth Shipman Esq

Registration No: CLU 232B
Chassis No: SFU 269
MOT: Exempt

• First owned by the producer, director and studio owner Kenneth Shipman and built to special order with a bespoke paparazzi-friendly interior
• Later acquired by the businessman and Honorary Vice President of Chelsea Football Club, Philip Carter Esq
• Treated to some £80,000 worth of restoration during 2019
• Prominently featured in 'Magic Mike's Last Dance' alongside Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek
• Part of a private collection since July 2022

Final evolution of the Rolls-Royce Cloud Series, the Cloud III was launched in late 1962. Still sporting a silhouette made famous by its predecessors, it was distinguished by quad front headlamps and a lower bonnet line. Corresponding sleeker front wings sported indicator units frenched into their leading edges, while the imposing front and rear chrome bumpers wore more modest over-riders. Internally, the driver and front seat passenger gained separate chairs. Those in the rear benefited too, courtesy of a more upright back to their bench seat and narrower side bolsters. Mechanically, the independent coil and wishbone front suspension and hypoid bevel rear axle were retained along with all round drum brakes, power assisted steering and four-speed automatic transmission. Though, to capitalise on the new model's smaller frontal area, the 6230cc V8 engine gained more power via a carburettor modification and higher compression ratio. Thus, the Cloud III claimed both a higher top speed and better acceleration than its predecessor at 116mph and 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds respectively. Total production in both right and left-hand drive amounted to just 2,044 Standard Steel Saloons.

The first custodian of chassis SFU269, Kenneth Wilfred Shipman Esq, was a pillar of the British Film Industry. A producer and director, he co-founded several related companies and owned Alliance Film Studios Ltd which encompassed Riverside, Southall and Twickenham. The latter rose to prominence in 1959 with the arrival of Guido Coen and the making of ‘The Challenge’ starring Jayne Mansfield. The following decade saw Twickenham used to shoot ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’, ‘Repulsion’, ‘Alfie’ and ‘The Italian Job’. Host to numerous parties for the glitterati, it was also where The Beatles filmed ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, ‘Help’ and ‘Hey Jude’. Able to call the likes of Marlon Brando, Dudley Moore and Gregory Peck personal friends, Mr Shipman was no stranger to celebrity which is doubtless why he had the Rolls-Royce trimmed to special order with more camera flash friendly leather supplanting the highly polished (and reflective) wood veneers which would otherwise have adorned its dashboard, door cappings and picnic tables etc. Interestingly, his decision had been presaged on numerous of the personal cars run by the British Royal Family. First registered as ‘CLU 232B’ on February 17^th 1964, the Silver Cloud III was a familiar sight at Twickenham during the height of Beatlemania and, who knows, may well have hosted one or all of the Fab Four on occasion.

Belonging to Lincolnshire quarry proprietor J.W. Hurdiss Esq and H.R. Barnett Esq of Portman Square W1 as the 1960s progressed, the luxury saloon was later acquired by businessman Philip Carter Esq whose commercial success and fandom saw him appointed Honorary Vice President of Chelsea Football Club. Purchased from Mr Carter’s estate by the owner of Sunningdale Motors in Ascot, the Rolls-Royce remained in his care for a decade. Reportedly treated to some £80,000 worth of restoration during 2019, work is understood to have encompassed a bare metal respray, full interior retrim and much mechanical fettling. Sold on in 2020, the Silver Cloud III renewed its acquaintance with the film world two years later by featuring prominently in ‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance’ alongside Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek.

Forming part of the vendor’s predominantly Ferrari-themed collection since July 2022, the luxury saloon has lent a real sense of occasion to various social outings and also graced the frontage of his eateries. Believed but not warranted to have covered a mere 48,000 miles from new, ‘CLU 232B’ has just been serviced in preparation for the auction and is said to be running 'very nicely'; a special car with a reputedly unique interior specification (including the thermometer ordered in place of a cigar lighter), notable history and significant past expenditure. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, RREC copy build records, restoration invoices, handbook and assorted paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737