Lot details
Registration No: GVR 24D
Chassis No: CSC63C
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

- H.J. Mulliner Park Ward Body

- Painstaking full 'nut and bolt' restoration

- Indicated 48,000 miles

- One of only 13 C-Series cars created

Always keen to present customers with as bespoke a choice as possible, Rolls-Royce overlapped production of the Silver Cloud III and its Silver Shadow successor by more than a year. While the latter model was undeniably more technologically advanced, it was (a) initially only available as a four-door Standard Steel Saloon and (b) lacked the sheer road presence/grandeur of its forebear. Based around a version of the Crewe manufacturer's 'Bentley 9' modular platform (which underpinned everything from the Cloud/S-series to the Phantom V/VI), the Cloud III may not have been absolutely 'cutting edge' by 1966 standards but it was still a wonderfully refined and luxurious motorcar.

Featuring independent coil and wishbone front suspension, a leaf-sprung semi-floating back axle (complete with hypoid bevel final drive), hydraulic shock absorbers (adjustable at the rear), power steering and servo-assisted drum brakes, its enormously strong cruciform-braced box-section chassis provided the perfect foundation for coachbuilders to practice their art. Powered by a 6230cc OHV V8 mated to four-speed automatic transmission, it also had the benefit of near 120mph performance. Last of the line, the Silver Cloud IIIs bearing CSC1C-CSC83C chassis numbers were destined to carry bespoke coachwork.

One of the more striking designs available, the H.J. Mulliner Park Ward Drophead Coupe owed its beautifully sleek profile to Vilhelm Koren, a freelance stylist from Sweden. The 'straight-through' wing line and 'cut-back' wheelarches he had pioneered on the Bentley S2 Continental chassis were successfully carried over to its successors. Visually updated by the diagonal placement of their quad headlights, the Koren-inspired coachbuilt Cloud IIIs (available in both Fixed- and Drophead Coupe guises) thus boasted a decidedly modern yet majestic look.

This beautifully presented right-hand drive MPW Drophead Coupe was first registered in January 1966 and features Seychelles Blue Metallic coachwork teamed with a Biscuit-coloured hide interior. The first owner was a J.R.C Townsend Esq. of Maidenhead, Berks (who is rumoured to have been a relation of rock musician Pete Townsend). However at this stage of its life the Cloud changed hands fairly rapidly, and had passed to E.N. Villiers Esq. of New Maldon, Surrey by December 2nd 1967 and London-based Clement Stone Esq. of the Combined Insurance Co of America by April 28th the following year. Resident in Hawaii for some of the twenty to twenty-five years it spent with its previous keeper, the Drophead Coupe returned to the UK during 2000 before entering the current ownership a decade later.

Once the vendor had re-registered, MOT'd and driven the Cloud III for a while, he decided to treat it to a painstaking 'nut and bolt' restoration. Every piece of chrome was removed, stripped, polished and re-plated. The hood frame was removed, sand blasted and repainted the correct Rolls-Royce factory colour before reassembly with new triple-layered Dark Blue Everflex material teamed with Beige-coloured West of England cloth headlining. The engine and gearbox were removed, fully checked, stripped and painted before being replaced. The entire body, chassis and underside (including the engine bay) were stripped back to bare metal. The only metalwork that had to be replaced was the inner sills and the lower rear wheel arches, which had started to deteriorate but only very slightly.

The underside was painted with the correct specification of Rolls-Royce chassis Black and fully detailed right down to the new Wefco leather gaiters on the rear leaf springs. The relevant tools were re-nickled and the handle and bracket for the spare tyre re-chromed. The under-bonnet was repainted the correct shade of khaki and all of the nickel plating redone. The complete exhaust system was professionally polished along with the front grille. All of the car's chromework was removed, polished and re-plated to perfection. The vendor considers the indicated 48,000 miles to be commensurate with the evident lack of wear and tear. He has fitted a correct new Avon 820/15 Turbospeed to the spare wheel - the other four tyres are apparently in very good shape. The hub caps were not, however, so four brand-new, old-stock stainless steel ones were purchased for the princely sum of £2,000! The vendor now regards the Rolls' shut lines as "perfect" and new rubber seals have been fitted throughout. The brake system has been fully overhauled and the power roof apparently works "perfectly and extremely rapidly!"

This sensational-looking motorcar is understood to be one of only 13 C-Series models created and among the last true coachbuilt vehicles to emanate for the Crewe factory. Following the most thorough 'no-expense spared' restoration that took a year to complete, it is no surprise to find the vendor currently describes the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, engine and gearbox as all being in "concours" condition. On the button and MOT'd into next January, 'GVR 24D' is ready to be wafted away to a new home. A simply stunning motor car, it is offered for sale with all Factory Chassis Card Details and an invoice totalling over £100K for the restoration.