1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Flying Spur (Mulliner Park Ward) Saloon

Description

The Silver Cloud III was the final model in the Silver Cloud series and the last production Rolls-Royce to feature a separate chassis. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in October 1962, the Silver Cloud III had the same basic 6.2 litre V8 engine as the Silver Cloud II with a marginal increase in horsepower, a higher 9:1 compression ratio, a nitride-hardened crankshaft and two-inch SU carburettors. Rolls’ standard Silver Cloud III saloon was distinguished by quad headlamps and a lower bonnet line, while interior changes were minor, although there was more room, and the front seats were now individually adjustable. Weighing around 100kg less than its predecessor, steering effort was lighter than the Cloud II thanks to increased power steering assistance, while top speed was 115mph and 0-60mph was achieved in 10.8 seconds. The Silver Cloud III provided the last chance for coachbuilders to work with a separate Rolls-Royce chassis, and among the best known of these were a trio of offerings from HJ Mulliner Park Ward Ltd, including this beautiful ‘Flying Spur’ four door six light saloon. Body design 2042 was largely the result of co-operation between Mulliner's chief stylist Herbert Nye and the Rolls-Royce project team and saw Mulliner’s apply its Bentley ‘Flying Spur’ saloon body to the Rolls-Royce chassis.The curvaceous lines of the ‘Flying Spur’ design were a real head-turner at the time and today remain among the most desirable of Silver Cloud IIIs. An interesting design feature was a sunroof-shaped inset in the headlining above the driver’s compartment, designed to provide increased headroom to enable the chauffeur to wear his cap whilst driving! Just 53 such coach-built saloons were made – 52 of them in this six-light configuration – between 1962 and 1965 and this chassis, CSC 67B, is one of 35 right-hand drive versions, the remainder being left-hand drive. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III was replaced by the monocoque-construction Silver Shadow in 1966.