Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud SII 1962
General description :
1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II 'Adaptation' Drophead CoupeThis exceptionally rare Rolls-Royce is one of only 74 of an already limited run that were built in left hand drive form, and certainly even fewer that were delivered to these shores. Owing to the availability of original factory records for the marque, it can be confirmed that as new the Drophead was ordered by Rolls-Royce Inc. for J.S. Inskip in May 1961. The original purchaser was Mrs. Allyne W DuBois, wife of Cincinnati, Ohio property developer Charles DuBois. Mrs. DuBois ordered her 'Drophead Coupe Conversion' in Midnight Blue over Beige upholstery. Built to 'USA Specification Issue 2', the original left hand drive configuration is also noted, and reflected in the 'L' prefix to its chassis number, while features included power steering, electric windows, 'Sundym' glass throughout, radio, split bench-type front seat, Dunlop Buffalo 'white sided' tires, and heavy gauge frame to accommodate the lack of a roof...oh and a 'tin of polish' to keep things shiny. The 'Adaptation' Drophead Coupe was loaded and shipped on November 11, 1961 from Liverpool to New York and finally delivered on February 22, 1962. Mrs. DuBois would keep the car only briefly. According to an article by Jack Dillard in the May/Jun 2017 of The Flying Lady, the lack of rear power windows (a feature that would not be sorted until the Cloud III Drophead) was so galling that the DuBois family traded the months old Rolls with under 500 miles on it for a brand-new Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible. The Cadillac dealer was then stuck with a quandarya beautiful, virtually-new Rolls worth three times the highest priced 'standard of the world' Cadillac. The Rolls ended up sitting on the used car lots...for 18 months. It was at that point that Dillard, who was then driving an ex-Dean Martin (and ex-ex-Frank Sinatra) Dual Ghia was offered a propositionleave the Dual Ghia in the shop and take the Rolls to try to drum up some interest and get it sold. Apparently, in the 1960s, this was a job for a college student like Mr. Dillard. While the local dealers aren't foisting Rolls-Royce convertibles on university students anymore, one thing that hasn't changed the propensity of 20-somethings to hoon about in their cars. Up against a tide of accusations that his Rolls was slow, Dillard took the big drop top to Cincinnati's old Beechmont Dragway, an officially sanctioned NHRA )National Hot Rod Association) drag strip operated with the blessing of SOTA (Southern Ohio Timing Association). After an impressive sub 18 second run down the quarter mile, he was invited back for a "run for the money". Classification troubles nearly scuttled the attempt when the lack of a horsepower rating (since Rolls only claimed the power to be 'adequate') almost made it impossible to class the carbut eventually the scrutineers settled on 'D Gas Automatic'. Up against a selection of late '50s and early '60's American iron, the Rolls ultimately prevailed with a run of 17.54 seconds at 67mph. While the successful results at the drag strip didn't end up successfully selling the car on that occasion, eventually the Rolls found a new home and by the mid-1960s would reside in the garage of Patrick Murlowski of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In September of 1973 the Rolls began an eastward march, heading to Bayville, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. At some point the Rolls made its way to Europe, where it was restored to the current color scheme of crme over tan leather. Entering the collection of car enthusiast and real estate developer Thierry Dehaeck in Belgium, the Rolls would be toured and enjoyed, including a run on the 2007 Classic Car Marathon VI. Purchased by the previous owner in February 2008 with 43,131 miles on the odometer. With minimal usage in the past 13 years, some mechanical recommission is suggested prior to active road use. Supremely elegant and rarely available particularly those that were sold new to the U.S. this is an eminently collectible and covetable four person touring Rolls-Royce. Coachwork by H.J. MullinerChassis no. LSZD67Engine no. 308DSRare derivative of Rolls-RoyceOriginal U.S. Supplied, left hand drive car (1 of 74)Successfully competed at Beechmont Dragway when newTimelessly elegant four seat open Rolls-Royce
1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud SII is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in New York by Gullwing Motor Cars for $295000.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Rolls-Royce Model : Silver Cloud SII Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1962 Sub type : Convertible Location : Astoria Vehicle Registration : Undefined
295000 $
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About Rolls-Royce
Well, ladies and gentlemen, today we're diving into the illustrious history of a brand that has always embodied the very essence of British luxury and craftsmanship - Rolls-Royce.Our story begins at the turn of the 20th century when two visionaries, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, decided to join forces. In 1904, the very first Rolls-Royce was born, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp. It was a modest start for a company that would go on to redefine automotive excellence.
But it wasn't until 1907 that Rolls-Royce truly made its mark with the introduction of the Silver Ghost. It was hailed as the "Best Car in the World" and set the gold standard for luxury motoring. With its whisper-quiet engine and exquisite craftsmanship, it was a statement of opulence and refinement.
The 1920s brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom I, an icon of its time. It was the first Rolls-Royce to feature a 6-cylinder engine and set the stage for the legendary Phantom line. This was the era when the Maharajas of India commissioned custom-bodied Rolls-Royces that were nothing short of automotive palaces.
Fast forward to the post-war years, and we have the Silver Cloud, a symbol of post-war British optimism. The Silver Cloud was elegance personified, with its flowing lines and handcrafted interiors. It was the choice of royalty, celebrities, and captains of industry.
But if we're talking about the epitome of Rolls-Royce luxury, it's the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which graced us with its presence from 1968 to 1991. This was a car that made the statement that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it." Customization was the name of the game, and the Phantom VI was a canvas for the world's wealthiest to express their unique tastes.
Now, it's impossible to discuss Rolls-Royce without mentioning the Rolls-Royce Corniche. Produced from 1971 to 1995, it was a convertible and coupe version of the Silver Shadow. The Corniche was the quintessential grand tourer, a car for those who wished to traverse continents in absolute luxury.
But, alas, even the mightiest must face their decline, and Rolls-Royce was no exception. The company went through financial turmoil in the 1970s and 80s, leading to the takeover by Vickers plc. Then came the controversial BMW and Volkswagen ownership period, which divided enthusiasts.
Rolls-Royce regained its footing under BMW ownership, and the new millennium brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, a return to the company's roots of uncompromising luxury. The Phantom VII was a testament to British engineering and craftsmanship.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, brings us to today. Rolls-Royce continues to produce some of the most opulent, bespoke vehicles on the planet, a symbol of British imperiousness that has not waned with time. The spirit of Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls lives on in every car that bears the Spirit of Ecstasy, a testament to the enduring legacy of British automotive excellence.