Lot details
Registration No: EU-Reg
Chassis No: SCC129
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Exported in 1957 to South Africa and used by the Rhodesian Government as an official Ambassador car

- Only 33,000 recorded miles

- Rare power steering option for an early car

- Comprehensive restoration and full engine rebuild

- Said to be either very good or excellent overall

This notably handsome righthand drive Silver Cloud I has only recently benefited from a comprehensive restoration and overhaul of its six-cylinder engine, and the vendor now grades the Rolls' bodywork, paintwork, powerplant and automatic transmission as 'excellent', and the interior trim and electrical equipment as 'very good'. A 1957 model, it was exported new to southern Africa where it was employed by the Rhodesian Government as an official Ambassador car. It remained on that continent until repatriated by a private collector in 2002 and has most recently resided in Ireland, where the restoration took place. It is finished in the pleasing combination of Shell Grey over Tudor Grey and trimmed in Red hide. Wearing the registration 'BSV 552', this delightful British classic comes complete with power steering, which was a rare fitment on such an early Cloud I. The indicated mileage is a low but credible 33,180.

Launched in April 1955, the Silver Cloud was based on a completely new closed box section frame that was reputedly 50% stiffer than that of the outgoing Silver Dawn. The distinguished-looking standard 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 bodies, all but 157 of the 2,360 Cloud Is produced featured the in-house offering - a steel shell with aluminium doors, bonnet and boot lid. The car was powered by an alloy-headed engine of 4887cc, which delivered some 155bhp at 4,000 rpm. The unit was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Changes introduced in 1956 included the incorporation of twin brake master cylinders, and the option of power steering and air conditioning. A 1956 test by Motor magazine recorded a top speed of 102.9mph and 13.5 seconds for the 0-60mph dash.

PLEASE NOTE: This Lot is registered in Ireland and not as previously stated.