Description
Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an Australian delivered factory right hand drive 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
The original delivery note on file dated 23rd November 1960 confirms this Rolls-Royce was delivered new to Rolls-Royce dealer Motors Ltd in Adelaide, South Australia. It is understood the car was sold to Adelaide Television Sales Ltd on the 1st March 1961. It was then sold again on the 11th November 1961 to Wilckens & Burnside also in Adelaide.
The current owner acquired this car in 1985 from Vince O’Connell in Byron Bay, New South Wales. It is understood that the O’Connell family were long term owners of the car. At the time of purchase the current owner was told that O’Connell’s father, Vince O’Connell Senior had been the previous owner of the car.
At that time the car was registered in NSW as VOC1.
At the time of purchase the car was starting to show its age. The paint work was beginning to fade and its overall presentation was not in keeping with a car of this calibre. The current owner therefore went on a journey to return his Rolls-Royce to its former glory. It was resprayed in its original colour scheme of sage green over smoke green, the interior was refreshed and the engine rebuilt.
Once all of this work was completed this fabulous car was then used on a regular basis. It was often seen at Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club events as well as used for social events and Sunday drives.
Whilst in the current owner’s care, this car has been maintained and regularly serviced by Rolls-Royce specialist Steve Sparks at NBS Services in Brisbane.
Today this car presents and drives well. Given it was repainted almost forty years ago, the paint work has held up remarkably well. From about a metre away the car presents well but when you get closer to the car you will notice some paint defects, including stone chips and scratches. Most noticeable is a scrape on the edge or the wheel arch on the left rear guard. The overall condition of the paint is good for its age, though if you closely you will notice some minor light fading in certain areas.
The condition of the external trim, including the bright work is consistent with the paint. It is generally good from about a metre away, but look closely you will see evidence of wear consistent with its age. Importantly, the signature Rolls-Royce grill with the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot is in good condition. The same can be said for all the glass on the car. In the photos you will notice two small black dots on the rear bumper overriders. Those are reversing sensors the current owner had installed.
The wheels present well and there is no evidence of any kerb rash. The hubcaps are painted in the correct colour. The wheels are shod with Maxxis MA-1 tyres, size 235/ 70R15. The are date stamped 3312 (week 33, 2012) and whilst they are still in good condition they should probably be replaced based on age if the next owner would want to do some serious driving with the car.
Underneath the bonnet everything is clean and looks to be mostly original.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a very well presented interior. All the wood work, and there is plenty of it in a Silver Cloud, is in excellent condition. The same can be said for the seats, the carpet and the headlining. The seats are comfortable and provide ample support. The car is fitted with an aftermarket air conditioning unit which is due for a regas. It is working, just not blowing cold air. It appears as if the rear seats have been sparingly used if at all. Everything there presents well and the fold down tables are like new.
Once you are comfortable behind the wheel it is time to fire up the V8 engine. The starting procedure on a Silver Cloud is straight forward. Firstly, you insert the key into the ignition, turn the ignition on, wait a few seconds, press the accelerator pedal and slowly let it come up to activate the automatic choke and then turn the key further to start the car. It starts at pretty much first crank and then quickly settles into that typical, smooth and very quiet Rolls-Royce idle. Once the engine has started to warm up you blip the throttle to deactivate the choke. First impressions are good and the engine sounds healthy.
On our test drive the car performed very well. A well sorted Silver Cloud should just glide down the road like a magic carpet and this car did exactly that! The engine has more than enough power on tap and the gear changes are smooth both up and down the box. The car handles, steers and stops as you would expect and it just goes about its business. We would have no hesitation to jump in this car and drive it from Brisbane to Sydney tomorrow.
This Silver Cloud II is the ideal car for someone who wants a good value pre Silver Shadow Rolls-Royce. It is a car that can be used and enjoyed for club events, weekend drives and social occasions.
This car won’t win the concours, but it will turn heads and be admired everywhere it goes. We love the colour scheme, which is original, unique and a refreshing change from ‘wedding car white’ and the more common colours seen on Silver Clouds. The original delivery note confirms that this car retains its original ‘matching numbers’ engine. The body number is stamped on both the left and right hand bonnet and both numbers match the body number tag.
Accompanying the car is a spare wheel, jack, foot pump, tool kit with mostly original tools, owner’s manual, service receipts from NBS Services and the original delivery note.
Highlights:
- Australian delivered example.
- Nicely presented car in a fabulous colour scheme.
- Lovely interior.
- Current owner since 1985.
- Ready to use and enjoy
This Silver Cloud offers a huge amount of car for the money.
Price: AUD $69, 950
Background:
The legend that was to become Rolls-Royce was founded in May 1904 when a deal was struck between Frederick Henry Royce and Charles Stewart Rolls. Shortly after, the first Rolls-Royce motor car – the Rolls-Royce 10 hp – was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in December 1904. It was agreed that Rolls-Royce would initially manufacture four different models being a two cylinder 10hp model, a three cylinder 15hp model, a four cylinder 20hp model and a six cylinder 20hp model. It was immediately apparent that to manufacture their cars Rolls-Royce would require a larger factory and the decision was made to establish their headquarters and manufacturing facility on the outskirts of Derby in the East Midlands of England.
On the 15th March 1906 the company Rolls-Royce Limited was formed and during this year Royce had been developing an improved six-cylinder model with more power than the 30hp. Initially designated the 40/ 50hp, this was the company’s first all-new model that was also to become known as the Silver Ghost.
Like all car manufacturers, Rolls-Royce was impacted by the First World War. Times were tough and post war the company made a strategic decision to manufacture a cheaper smaller car, enter the Rolls-Royce 20hp. This model was a success and produced alongside the Silver Ghost and its successor the Phantom ensuring the Rolls-Royce motor car company would survive and prosper.
In 1931 Rolls-Royce acquired the Bentley motor car company.
Post the Second World War a significant milestone in Roll Royce history was the introduction of the Silver Dawn, which was the first model to be built with a factory built body. In April 1955 Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud and for the next eleven years this model was at the cornerstone of Rolls-Royce production. The Cloud evolved through three major model iterations, being the Silver Cloud I, Silver Cloud II and Silver Cloud III until it was superseded by the Silver Shadow. The last of the Silver Clouds rolled off the Crewe production line in 1965 although specialist coachbuilders were still offering the Cloud III in early 1966. During this time some 7, 372 cars were built.
One of the major changes to occur during Silver Cloud production was to the engine. The 4. 9 litre 6 cylinder engine used in the Cloud I was replaced by a 6. 2 litre V8 engine for the Cloud II. This change ensured the Cloud II had far greater performance all round.
With the arrival of the Cloud III in 1963 the car had now evolved both internally and externally, albeit subtly. The major visual difference was the introduction of the quad head light set up that was to be continued on the Silver Shadow and a lowered bonnet. The Cloud III also shed a few kilos further improving performance and handling.
