1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II

Description

This 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II was unquestionably the finest car in the world when it was built, and today it still puts many luxury machines to shame. With old world presence, these are pretty much the last of the coachbuilt cars that were hand-tailored to their owners' tastes, making it a very special machine in today's mass-produced world.

When you show up in this car, there's no question what it is, and even someone who's never seen a Rolls-Royce before will innately recognize that this is an important car with an important person inside. The two-tone color combination was about as flashy as Rolls-Royce got, and it highlights the most interesting aspects of the car quite nicely, particularly that long hood. The paint job was done in the mid-2000s and uses subtle colors to great effect and it has lost none of the hand-crafted details that make Rolls-Royce motorcars so special. Over the Silver Cloud II's three-year production run, only 2417 were built, so it's unlikely you'll ever see another one at a red light, and even at shows, this car will draw a crowd because everyone recognizes that towering grille and Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. And speaking of the grille, it shines up beautifully and might be the most recognizable shape in the automotive world, and there's enough chrome and brightwork on the rest of the car to make it look very substantial.

The opulent red leather interior is every bit as magnificent as you would hope in a car like this. For some, the red may seem out of character, but it was actually a very popular choice, giving these big cars a sporting feel without compromising luxury. The seats and headliner were re-covered a few years ago, and the door panels are simply too nice to be original, so they must have been done at the same time. That's real burled walnut trim on the doors and instrument panel, and while it shows some lights signs of age, it also has a wonderful, warm patina that would be a shame to erase. Centrally-mounted Smiths gauges look the same as they did for decades, with crisp white numbers on a black background and their unique upside-down orientation. All the handles and switches are substantial chrome pieces that feel expensive and when it's closed up, the interior is as quiet as a tomb. Rear seat passengers are treated to fold-down tables and there's a well-shaped trunk with a full-sized spare and plenty of luggage space.

The major difference between the Silver Cloud I and Silver Cloud II is the engine. The II debuted the 6.2-litre OHV V8 that is still in use in certain Bentleys today, and even in 1962, it was a fine performer. It looks complex in the engine bay, but works superbly and idles almost silently, moving the car with a sophisticated hum that's perfect for the big sedan. It has been well-maintained, which is critical in a car like this, and thanks to a GM-sourced Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, most mechanical parts are easy to find and relatively affordable. GM experts may also find the front suspension familiar, while the rear axle hangs on leather-wrapped leaf springs. Handsome painted wheel covers are fitted inside 235/75/15 whitewall radials with a correct narrow stripe.

Nothing in the world can touch this car for upscale image, and it turns out that these are fine road machines as well. I'm also confident that they won't remain this affordable forever. Call today!