Description
1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Drophead Coupe
Details
Registration No: 200 MMJ
Chassis No: SFU173
MOT: Exempt
£160, 000
Silver Cloud III converted into a two-door Drophead Coupe using H. J. Mulliner’s Design Number 7504 as a template
Documented c. 30-month restoration and conversion by Viktor Valker at the VTG Group
Since 2019, associated parts bills totalling c.£24, 000 for power steering, suspension, brakes and electrics
On the original number plate ‘200 MMJ’
Rather than being a bespoke creation, H. J. Mulliner's design number 7504 saw the West London firm take delivery of brand new four-door Silver Cloud III Standard Steel Saloons from Crewe and adapt them into extravagant two-door Drophead Coupes. The result was among the most imposing, stylish and exclusive convertibles of the 1960s; H. J. Mulliner reputedly reconfigured just thirty-eight Silver Cloud IIIs as Drophead Coupes. Given the scarcity and value of the genuine article (one sold at public auction during 2021 for over $1. 1 million), several companies have followed in H. J. Mulliner's footsteps over the years.
According to its accompanying RREC copy build records, chassis SFU173 was originally finished in Burgundy with Beige leather upholstery. Supplied new to Murkett Bros Ltd of Bedford for use as a demonstrator on 28th January 1964, the Standard Steel Saloon was bought by William H. King Ltd of King’s Lynn some seven months later. Remaining in the same locale when coachbuilder turned retailer Mann Egerton acquired it on 19th April 1967, the Silver Cloud III passed through various hands before being exported to Germany by Herr Nittel during 1986. Belonging to Lothar Thomas Eichhorn, Studio Eichhorn and Willfried Nett thereafter, chassis SFU173 was in need of restoration by the time that Viktor Valker of the VTG Group bought it during May 2012. Veteran of numerous Rolls-Royce and Bentley renovations, Viktor Valker decided to convert the Silver Cloud III from a four-door Saloon into a two-door Drophead Coupe using H. J. Mulliner’s Design Number 7504 as a template. Taking some two and a half years to complete and documented via 281 photographs, work saw the Saloon body mounted on a jig and remodelled with new sills, altered A-posts and new B-posts etc prior to the roof being removed. The doors were specially extended, bespoke rear quarter windows made and a new hood mechanism crafted. The 6230cc V8 engine was overhauled, the exterior repainted in Burgundy over Tudor Grey, the brightwork rejuvenated and the interior re-trimmed with grey leather etc.
Bowled over by its handsome lines and two-tone colour scheme, the seller bought the Rolls-Royce from The Real Car Company in September 2019. Joining an impressive private collection and stabled alongside aircraft, the Silver Cloud III was thoroughly gone through stem to stern to ensure that it drove as well as it looked. The power steering, suspension, brakes and electrics were all attended to with associated parts bills totalling circa £24, 000 (the labour cost was absorbed inhouse). A period radio was updated with modern internals and additional interior lights added. The vendor even went as far as tracking down the original number plate ‘200 MMJ’ (rather than ‘200 MMS’ as erroneously noted on the build records) and reuniting it with the car. Enjoyed with friends as a full four-seater, the Drophead Coupe turns heads wherever it goes and remains ‘on the button’. Only coming to market in an attempt to slim the seller’s collection down to more manageable levels, this magnificent Rolls-Royce is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, RREC copy build records, assorted bills and numerous restoration images.
