1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon

Description

One of the most elegant Rolls-Royce motor cars ever made, the Silver Cloud enjoyed a decade long production run at Crewe, starting in 1955 when it replaced the Silver Dawn. Based on an entirely new chassis, the Cloud featured 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. Although the Cloud retained the Silver Dawn’s familiar six-cylinder engine, capacity of the motor was raised to 4.9-litres and power was transmitted via a new four-speed automatic transmission originally developed by General Motors and built under licence. Styled by John Blatchley and Ivan Evernden, the Cloud’s standard steel coachwork has a graceful beauty that has withstood the test of time. 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 6.2-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 other than a few necessary modifications to accommodate the wider engine. Inside the ventilation system was improved and both the facia and instrument panel were 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 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.