c.1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
No Reserve – Entered from the Alyth Collection

Registration No: Un-Registered
Chassis No: Not visible
MOT: Exempt

• Entered from the Alyth Collection, a collection of motor cars stood in storage in Scotland for over 30 years
• Offered in project form to either use as a donor car or for complete restoration

Launched in April, 1955, the Silver Cloud was based on a completely new closed box-section frame that was reputedly fifty per cent. stiffer than that of the outgoing Silver Dawn. The newcomer's elegant Standard Steel Saloon body was penned by in-house designer John Polwhele Blatchley, the proportions of which belied its considerable overall length of 17ft. 8in. Though the retention of a separate chassis allowed for the production of bespoke coachwork, all but 157 of the 2,360 Cloud Is produced featured the in-house offering. Powered by an alloy-headed, 4,887cc straight-six engine mated to four-speed automatic transmission, the model utilised servo-assisted drum brakes 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 options of power steering and air conditioning. A test by The Motor magazine in 1956 recorded a top speed of 102.9mph and a time of 13.5secs. for the 0-60mph dash.

This rather sad c.1956 Silver Cloud has no history that we know of, which is a pity because, to have arrived at such a condition, it could probably tell a few stories! It has, however, been preserved for the last thirty years or more in Scotland’s Alyth Collection, which has functioned until now as a sort of rescue mission for fallen Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. We wonder if it really did cover no more than 23,621 miles, as indicated by the odometer, before it was taken off the road.

Now, of course, the only realistic future for the Cloud is major restoration, or else as a parts donor. We suspect there is some considerable value in the latter course, as certain parts such as the seats certainly look to be reusable, and we expect the engine could be brought back to life after a complete overhaul. Some of the panels may be useful for other restorations and, while we have not been able to inspect the chassis closely, it could perhaps be repurposed for a special or even a more traditional bespoke coachbuilding project. Of course, if anyone does intend to commit to a full restoration, we will heartily applaud them for it.

This lot is supplied without paperwork.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430