1961 Rolls-Royce

History

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I engine had effectively run its course by 1959 and could not be developed any further. The approximate 160bhp power output was more than sufficient but due to pressures and competition elsewhere Rolls-Royce sought out an improved power unit to deliver more speed whilst retaining the refined performance. The answer was a complete move away from the six cylinder inline engine configuration, to an all new V8 engine boasting 6,230cc and an estimated 200bhp, boosting the power by nearly 25%. It had been developed at Crewe for some years prior and was an immediate success. It was constructed almost entirely in aluminium and was of a very similar weight to the S1 Continentals engine, but featured hydraulic tappets to ensure quiet running. A few other mechanical aspects were modified including the braking and lubrication systems, with automatic transmission and power steering now standard fittings, making the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II a motor car capable of far higher cruising speeds than ever before. The vast majority of the production between late 1959 and early 1962 were the factory design, commonly known as the “Standard Steel Saloon.” However a limited number of cars were adapted at the H.J. Mulliner works in Chiswick to design number 7504, retaining the basic lines of the coachwork in the form of a very elegant drophead coupe. The correct term for this rare and desirable motor car is an “Adaptation” by H.J. Mulliner and should not be confused with cars that have subsequently been converted in more recent times. Just thirty two original H.J. Mulliner drophead coupes were built in right hand drive on the Silver Cloud II chassis and we are very pleased to be able to offer one for sale at this time. Chassis No SZD43 which we are currently offering was delivered to its first owners Mr and Mrs Sutro of Oxted in Surrey in June of 1961, finished in porcelain white with black leather interior. It was ordered by the Sutro family with Continental motoring in sunnier climes in mind and trips to far flung destinations were enjoyed over the following fifteen years to places such as Iran, Morocco, Russia, Turkey and the Lebanon to name but a few. Whilst in their ownership Chassis No SZD43 was always maintained by the Rolls-Royce service department at Hythe Road in Willesden, being cared for on a no expense spared basis. A detailed history file dating back to the early 1960’s is complete with the car, detailing the expenditure and the correspondence between the Sutro family and the works manager. The car became the property of Mrs Sutro’s daughter in 1978, leaving the then family home in Eaton Place in London SW1 and moving to the leafy residence of Mrs Ravi Misra’s in Bagshot in Surrey. Whilst in Mrs Misra’s ownership the car was maintained by Arnett’s in Bournemouth, also a Rolls-Royce main agent, where it underwent an overhaul in 1979. Following almost twenty five years of ownership by the same family the car was sold in 1985 to Mr Christopher Dunhill who lived in London W2. Mr Dunhill instructed a thorough overhaul of the car in 1989 following 6,000 miles of use during his ownership before selling the car to Mr Michael Hall, also of London W2 in 1989. Like the Sutro family before him Mr Hall chose to have the car maintained at the Rolls-Royce works in Hythe Road. The car changed hands in 2000 when supplied by a London specialist to a family in the north of England before being sold to its most recent owner in Europe some seven years later where it has resided ever since until being recently acquired by Frank Dale & Stepsons. Chassis No SZD43’s exterior was cosmetically restored in the late 1990’s finished in midnight blue. More recently the coachwork has been finished to showroom condition once again. Other works included a new hood in matching dark blue mohair, new carpets in the cabin and boot plus a full re-trim in St James red leather. Also trimmed were the detachable Radford picnic stools which are fixed into the rear bumper over riders as and when required. It is complete with an un-plundered small tool kit, its original log book issued in 1961, handbook, extensive history records and copy chassis cards and build sheets. Its mechanical aspects have been reviewed, prepared, serviced and thoroughly tested in our workshops as per our normal policy to allow the next fortunate owner trouble free onward motoring. The “Adaptation” style Silver Cloud’s of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s have become one of the most sought after models over the past decade, encompassing the very best aspects of post war Rolls-Royce motoring. This particular car represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a beautiful example.

If you would like to make an enquiry about this vehicle, please contact us by phone on 020 8847 5447 or by email at sales@frankdale.com