Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I and II Standard Saloon
- Silver Cloud I – Production 1955-1958
- Silver Cloud II – Production 1959-1962
In 1959, Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Cloud II, the successor to the original Silver Cloud, which first appeared in 1955. Although similar in appearance, the most noticeable difference between the two cars was the introduction of a new 6.23-litre V-8 engine, replacing the inline six-cylinder unit of the Silver Cloud I. Available from late 1959, the Silver Cloud II continued through early 1962, when the Silver Cloud III succeeded it.
The new V-8 engine was a sophisticated design, and the Silver Cloud II was tremendously successful, particularly in the United States during the 1960s. Examples of the Silver Cloud II destined for America included many standard features, among them the smooth-shifting Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission, power brakes, power-assisted steering, a radio, whitewall tyres and environmental controls including heat, defrost and updated ventilation systems.
Few changes were made to the highly regarded standard steel layout of the Silver Cloud I, with four-door sedans in both short- and long-wheelbase models. Body styles also included the four-door limousine by James Young, the Radford four-door Countryman and the Drophead Coupé by H.J. Mulliner. Total production for all variants was quite low, with only 2,717 Silver Cloud II chassis produced, of which the vast majority used the short 123-inch wheelbase. Of those, H.J. Mulliner fitted only 107 examples with Drophead Coupé bodywork. As a result, every example was a truly bespoke representation of its individual owner’s tastes and exacting requirements.
Silver Cloud III – Production 1963-1966