6,230cc OHV V8 engine
Twin side-draft SU carburetors
220bhp (est)
Four-speed automatic transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle
Four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes

*Rare derivative of Rolls-Royce
*Original U.S. Supplied, left hand drive car
*In the present ownership since 2008
*Timelessly elegant four seat open Rolls

THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER CLOUD II

Rolls-Royce has never been reluctant to express the quality of its automobiles, nor abashed about putting it to the test, but even by the Crewe firm's high standards the Silver Cloud range of the late 1950s/early 1960s represented a high point in the fortunes of the legendary British marque's post-war history.

Adoption of an all-aluminum V8 engine replacing the straight six of the Cloud I was the most remarkable innovation when Rolls-Royce publicized the advent of their new Silver Cloud II model in 1959. It is well worth noting that this engine - developed during the 1950s - was still performing under the bonnet of Rolls-Royce's modern models of the '90s though having been subject to the company's established policy of seeking improvements in design and manufacture. As regards coachwork there were but negligible changes to the familiar Standard Steel bodywork when compared to that of the Silver Cloud I.

For some clients, however, even the factory's own coachwork was not quite exclusive enough, and for this select band of purchasers Rolls-Royce proposed a range of bespoke bodies, ranging from Harold Radford's 'Countryman' estate conversions through Park Ward's rakish Vilhelm Koren styled convertible, but perhaps that which best reflected Rolls-Royce values was Mulliner's convertible, known today as the 'Mulliner Adaptation'. Hand crafted style such as this attracted a hefty premium though, H J Mulliner's convertible being priced some 30% above the standard Silver Cloud II four-door saloon, which was already one of the world's most expensive cars.

A total of 107 of these cars were built on the Cloud II/S2 standard-wheelbase chassis a mere 4% of the production of this successful model.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This exceptionally rare Rolls-Royce is one of only 74 of an already limited run that were built in left hand drive form, and certainly even fewer that were delivered to these shores. Owing to the availability of original factory records for the marque, it can be confirmed that as new the Drophead was ordered by Rolls-Royce Inc. for J.S. Inskip and delivered to the shippers in October of 1960. Ordered in Black over 'Special Red' leather, the Special Red extended to headcloth and carpets—but white rubber mats were additionally ordered from the front seats. Built to USA specification, the original left hand drive configuration is also noted, and reflected in the 'L' prefix to its chassis number, while features included power steering, electric windows, foglamps, and winter equipment including a winter thermostat and cold weather shields over the door locks. The first owner is recorded as Oliver D. Appleton, a partner at Cyrus J. Lawrence & Sons, investment bankers, in Mount Kisco, New York.

The car appears to have remained in New York for much of its life. In the 1980s it was believed to have been slightly modified and restored by Niko-Michael Coachworks, with the P100 headlights and continental kit installed at this time along with the two tone black and burgundy color scheme added both inside and out. In the collection of a Rolls-Royce enthusiast in the early 2000s, it was acquired by the current owner in 2008 and has been on static display since. Recommission is recommended prior to active touring.

Supremely elegant and rarely available particularly those that were sold new to the U.S. this is an eminently collectible and covetable four person touring Rolls-Royce.