1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon

Description

Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud model as the successor to the Silver Dawn in the Spring of 1955 and the new model was launched alongside the virtually identical Bentley S-type. Although the Cloud retained the familiar six-cylinder engine, capacity of the motor was raised to 4.9-litres coupled to a new four-speed automatic transmission originally developed by General Motors and built under licence at Crewe. The Cloud's chassis was entirely new, featuring independent front suspension and semi-elliptic rear springs to give superb roadholding and ride characteristics. Adjustable rear shock absorbers (via a switch on the steering column) were a novel feature and hydraulically-operated brakes ensured excellent stopping power. Power steering also became a standard feature shortly after the model's introduction. Styled by John Blatchley and Ivan Evernden, the Cloud's standard steel coachwork has a timeless beauty that has never been out of fashion and seems just as graceful today as it did 60 years ago. The interior was superbly appointed, with the finest quality Connolly leather upholstery, timber facia and door cappings and rear picnic tables. Although the original Silver Cloud was well received and sold in good numbers, Rolls-Royce were already hard at work developing a new engine worthy of the car, in the form of a light alloy V8. With 6.23-litres capacity, the new unit was both smoother and more powerful than the in-line six it replaced and the engine went on to power every car to wear the famous Flying Lady for the next 40 odd years. Although no output figure was ever officially divulged by Rolls-Royce, the best estimates suggest around 200 horsepower, providing the car with excellent performance given the huge weight. The Silver Cloud II, visually indistinguishable from its predecessor, was also largely unchanged mechanically apart from some minor revisions to accommodate the wider engine. Inside the ventilation system was improved and the dashboard saw both the facia and instrument panel redesigned. Rolls-Royce built just 2,417 Silver Cloud IIs (with a further 1,286 Bentley S2 variants) between 1959 and 1962, of which the vast majority were fitted with Standard Steel coachwork, although a small number of this total received bespoke bodywork from the likes of H J Mulliner. A further 299 long-wheelbase versions of the Cloud II were also produced, with several additional inches let into the wheelbase to increase rear passenger room.