1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III LWB Limousine

Lot details
Registration No: 800 GXY
Chassis No: CCL27
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012

Rolls-Royce launched the Silver Cloud in April 1955. It was based on a completely new, closed box-section frame that was reputedly fifty percent stiffer than that of the outgoing Silver Dawn. The distinguished-looking standard body was penned by in-house designer John Polwhele Blatchley. Its cleverly crafted proportions belied the considerable overall length of 17ft 8in and the design clothed all but 157 of the 2,360 Cloud Is eventually produced. The newcomer was powered by an alloy-headed, straight-six engine of 4887cc that delivered some 155bhp at 4,000 rpm. This was mated to a four-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.

The Silver Cloud II unveiled in 1959 brought a redesigned ventilation system and standardised power steering. The biggest change, however, was the replacement of the 4.9-litre six-cylinder engine with an all-alloy 6.2-litre V8 unit. The unquoted output was sufficient to whisk the model to 60mph in under 11 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph. At total of 2717 Cloud IIs were built between 1959 and 1962 - 2418 with the standard wheelbase and 299 with the optional longer one.

The final iteration of the Cloud family, the Silver Cloud III, brought the option of a rakish Drop Head and Fixed Head Coupe in addition to the standard and coachbuilt-bodied Limousines. By the time the last chassis had been built, a total of 2809 Cloud IIIs had entered the automotive world, just 47 of which featured coachbuilt bodies on long wheelbase chassis.

The sale car is one of them. Moreover, it's one of the rare and desirable so-called 'Baby Phantoms' - i.e. James Young's supremely elegant interpretation of the Phantom V based on the long wheelbase Could III chassis; code-named SCT100. This one was supplied new by Jack Barclay to its first and, so far, only keeper in 1963 and starred at the Earls Court Motor Show of the same year. The considerable specification includes: electrically controlled glass division; full original Connolly hide interior; over rugs, picnic tables, rear speaker volume control, opening rear arm rest containing clothes brush and mirror, and the car's original tool kit. Both garaged and chauffeur-driven throughout its life, '800 GXY' has also been extremely well maintained and invoices totalling some £72,000 are contained within the car's history file.

Finished in a stately shade of Claret and complemented by a Beige leather interior, this very well presented Rolls-Royce is described by the vendor as having an "excellent" V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. The Cloud III is now being offered complete with the original handbook and James Young supplement, plus original service booklet and wiring diagram. By the time of the sale it will have been treated to a full mechanical service and fresh MOT certificate. Examples of the imposing SCT100 model are few and far between and rarely come to market these days. The opportunity to purchase an unmolested, one-owner example with known history is therefore notable indeed.