1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
The final iteration of the Silver Cloud series was introduced toward the end of 1962 and benefited from various cosmetic changes, the most notable of which was a four-headlamp arrangement. While Rolls-Royce steadfastly refused to publish output ratings, the firm claimed the V8 engine now produced eight percent more horsepower than the Silver Cloud II. With nearly 220 brake horsepower, the car was capable of top speeds approaching 120 mph. Power steering was again standard, but the revised Rolls-Royce automatic transmission now featured three forward speeds, compared to the four speeds of the Silver Cloud II.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| built at | England |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| block material | Aluminum |
| fuel feed | Twin SU Carburetors |
| displacement | 6230 cc / 380.18 in³ |
| power | 161.1 kw / 216 bhp |
| specific output | 34.67 bhp per litre |
| front brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| rear brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| f suspension | A-Arms w/Coil Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs, Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| wheelbase | 3124.2 mm / 123 in |
Auction Sales History
1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe by H.J. Mulliner – did not sell for $500,000 The Silver Cloud III was produced from 1963 to 1965; a total of 2,809 cars were built, but only 27 left-hand drive examples were produced to design 2007, including this car. It was purchased via J.S. Inskip, the famed Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer in New York, and it was delivered on May 24, 1963 to its first owner: William M. Young of 1 South Heald Street, Wilmington, Delaware. The current owner acquired it from the second owner, a Mr. Spatola (USA). It was shipped to Brussels within the last ten years, and there it received a full restoration from Michel Kruch, who specializes in Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Today it is as it was delivered, with its Shell Grey exterior and Black upholstery, complete with tools and owner’s manual.
Auction Source: ‘Rolling Sculpture’ 2015 NYC by Keno Brothers
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Touring Limousine by James Young LCFL39 – sold for $264,000 Highly original condition. The last coachbuilt, long-wheelbase Silver Cloud III built. A unique version of the “Baby Phantom” with special-order features. One of the last coachbuilt bodies built by James Young. Offered from over 20 years of enthusiast ownership.
Auction Source: RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2015
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe LCSC77C – sold for $205,700 One of 79 Coachbuilt Silver Cloud (CSC) Series Examples. Factory AC; Power Steering, Brakes, Windows, and Convertible Top. Original-Fitted Burl Circassian Walnut Cocktail Cabinet. Presented with Owner’s Handbook, Hand and Road Tools, and Records.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe LCSC77C – sold for $198,000 Rolls-Royce produced 2,044 SCIIIs, plus 253 with the long wheelbase. This car, however, is a particularly special example. Chassis number LCSC77C is one of 79 “CSC” (Coachbuilt Silver Cloud) series cars. (It is useful to note that this group is odd-numbered, and number 13 was omitted.) Beyond its obviously brilliant current condition and 56,405 documented miles, this car represents a milestone in British motor car history.
Auction Source: Amelia Island 2012 by RM Auctions
1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Saloon LSHS193 – sold for $99,000 This particular late-production 1965 Silver Cloud III shows just over 64,400 miles at the time of writing and benefits from the care of just two owners from new. It was acquired by the current long-term owner in 1980 and still presents very nicely. It was extensively restored by the world-renowned Junior’s House of Color in Bell, California, and the sumptuous Connolly leather interior was trimmed by Al Krueger of Huntington Beach, California. Equipped with desirable features such as air conditioning and clear driving lamps, this Silver Cloud III comes complete with all the amenities that one would expect from such an exquisite automobile, including power window lifts. An ideal purchase for the committed Rolls-Royce collector, this late-production Silver Cloud III is an excellent touring car as well as an ideal entry for the many Rolls-Royce Owners Club events held worldwide.
Auction Source: 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions
1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III SCT100 Touring Limousine CBL51 – sold for €51,210 The SCT100 designation refers to coachbuilder James Young’s interpretation of the classic look of the Phantom V on the smaller long-wheelbase Silver Cloud chassis. The highly desirable configuration is often referred to as a “mini-Phantom” thanks to its elegant proportions which gracefully reflect the larger P-V.
CBL 51 is pictured on page 237 of Rolls-Royce – The Classic Elegance by Lawrence Dalton. Dalton indicates that the car was delivered to its first customer, Neville Blond of the Blond Brothers family firm of textile manufacturers, in Great Britain in July 1963. It remains in entirely original condition as delivered new, including its Black over Oxblood exterior and biscuit Connelly hides. The right-hand drive car is “exquisite” to quote one reviewer, and its paint, leather, chrome and particularly the book-matched interior wood have never been touched and remain in virtually perfect condition. Offered from the Hooper Corporate Collection, this is a rare opportunity indeed as such Touring Limousines rarely come to market.
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupé CCL65 – sold for €108,823
CCL65 began life as a right-hand drive long-wheelbase saloon with division when it was delivered from Rolls-Royce in April of 1964. It was converted to its current drophead coupé configuration by the craftsman at Hooper in the 1990s. No more than forty of these beautifully-built drophead coupés were built to meticulous standards. Inside, the doors have been capped with hand-hammered stainless steel plates, and the paint and leatherwork have been described as “just fabulous.” The detailing is as fine as it gets, and the car has been meticulously maintained in the Hooper Corporate Collection. It is a stunningly elegant example of a bespoke Rolls-Royce.
Auction Source: 2010 Automobiles of London by RM Auctions
1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Standard Saloon – sold for €56,000 This particular example is presented in a very attractive colour combination of white with a luxuriously appointed red leather interior, complete with handsome woodwork and rear tray tables. As a U.S.-delivery example, it sports several unique features for export, including bumper guards. Its restoration was completed in 1996, and the car has been well preserved ever since in the Zach Collection, used regularly by Mr. Zach in club meetings, weddings and the like. It was also displayed at Techno Classica in Essen (2005) and at the exclusive Villa d’Este Concours d’Elegance thereafter. Pictured in Klaus-Josef Rossfeldt’s Rolls-Royce book, it runs and drives superbly, and the automatic transmission functions very well
Auction Source: 2010 RM Auctions Sporting Classics of Monaco
