Description
1962 saw the introduction of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III which was to be the final variant of the factory bodied standard steel saloon. At first glance it would appear that the all new Silver Cloud III was merely a Silver Cloud II with different headlamps. The introduction of the twin headlamps was clearly the most obvious change, but the differences did not end there. Further changes included the introduction of smaller bumper over riders and the repositioning of the front indicators and side lamps into one single unit on the front wing, resulting in an arguably more attractive appearance. Mechanically speaking the Silver Cloud III was issued with larger 9:1compression ratio carburettors, improved power steering to aid smoother movement at parking speed and a Lucas vacuum-advance distributor to aid fuel consumption, making it almost identical in mechanical specification to the Bentley S3 Continental that was being produced at the same time.
Chassis No SHS67 which we are currently offering for sale was completed in October of 1964 in Pine Green (ICI M062-4196) with tan leather(VM 846) and delivered to its first owner on November the 4th, His Excellency Jorge Mantilla Ortega who was the Ecuadorian ambassador to London. The car resided at the Ecuadorian Embassy on Hans Crescent, London SW1. Prior to his posting in London, Mr Ortega had been the ambassador to Italy and the cars build records show a cost for transporting his diplomatic plates from Rome to London. The car also had a flagpole fitted and often flew the Ecuador flag when driven in London. After his term in London came to an end Mr Ortega returned to Ecuador to run the family business, a publishing company and newspaper.
Chassis No SHS67 remained in the UK after Mr Ortega returned to his homeland and was sold in 1973 by James Young Ltd to its second owner, Mr Bryan Davis of Beckenham in Kent who was a chartered surveyor at Newton Perkins& Forbes in London. It is understood that James Young re-painted the car in silver sand over Tudor Grey prior to selling the car. Mr Davis kept the car for thirty-seven years but it was sparingly used, due to his ill health for long periods of time. The cars MOT records show that only 125 miles were covered between1993 and 2010 and only 1, 900 miles in total between 1981 and 2010. The car continued to be serviced and MOT’d during Mr Davis’s ownership, with James Young Ltd and latterly by West Hoathly Garage in Sussex who also supplied the car in 2010.
Mr John Holmes became the third owner in August of 2010 and retained the car until 2019 when the fourth and present owner became the custodian of Chassis No SHS67. At point of sale the coachwork was restored, and a new headlining was trimmed and fitted. Since acquisition in 2019 the car has benefited from considerable further works, including an overhaul of the steering box, braking system and dampers, plus fitting new tyres and period looking seatbelts.
Chassis No SHS67 has travelled just over 69, 000 miles from new and is complete with all tools, handbook, original flag poles and flags, copies of the build sheets and extensive historical and maintenance records. This car is one of if not the best standard steel saloon we have offered for sale for many years and should be seen and driven in person to be truly appreciated.
