West Coast Classics are proud to present and absolutely stunning and exceptionally rare example of this mostly unrestored 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III V8 4 door saloon, with only 2,044 of these completely hand built cars ever built (1962-65) and with very few fine examples remaining anywhere! This particular example boasts only two registered owners since new and has rare options of air conditioning, 'Sundym' reflective tinted glass, White sided tubeless tires, power brakes and power windows. Finished in an exceptionally striking color of 'Royal Blue' with 'Red' pin-stripes matching a virtually flawless 'Dark Red' color Connolly hides interior with a light gray carpeting and mohair headliner showing superb maintenance and care from its two long time owners.
For those who are unfamiliar, the Bentley S3 and the Silver Cloud III were absolutely identical with both vehicles hand built at the Rolls Royce factory in Crewe, England with the only differences being their nameplates, radiator and mascots. The Silver Cloud III was introduced in 1962 and lasted until 1965. Little changed externally from the Silver Cloud II with the same improved 6.2 L V8 Series II engine from the original Series I but performance was greatly improved though in the new upgraded Series III models with the top speed raised to 183 km/h (114 mph), with the main improvements being in acceleration and torque and the inclusion of larger SU carburetors. Separate front seats now replaced the bench seat and there was more legroom in the rear. Power steering had already become standard with the Series II but electrically operated windows and air conditioning were now available as an option.
In autumn 1962 the Series II production cars were given a facelift and the Silver Cloud III and Bentley S3 were introduced. The most obvious visual feature was the twin headlamp arrangement in what was virtually an unchanged body style. Four headlamps provided more illumination and made it easier for Rolls-Royce to pass the latest North American lighting regulations. Also this layout had been chosen for the next generation Silver Shadow and this provided a convenient way of bridging the visual gap between the old and the new. The side lamps and flashers were combined and mounted in the noses of the front mudguards: the earlier cars had separate side lamps on the top of the mudguards and used the fog lamps also as flashers. Internally, individual front seats became standard and there was some reshaping of the rear seats. The heating/ ventilation system was upgraded, there were extra radio controls and a number of other such details were improved. The engine had a new compression ratio of 9.0:1; the crankshaft was hardened and there was extra power assistance for the steering.
This particular original U.S specification example (Left Hand Drive Model) was imported to the U.S. from England to New York and delivered to the Rolls Royce dealership of 'J.S. Inskip, Inc' who had ordered the car for the legendary Jack Paar, the host of the Tonight Show from 1957-62, preceding Johnny Carson. Mr Paar owned the car for twenty-one years before selling it in 1984 to only it's second ever owner who lived in southern California and who has owned the car ever since.
This particular original U.S specification example (Left Hand Drive Model) was imported to the U.S. from England via the Liverpool docks directly to 'J.S. Inskip, Inc', the Official Rolls Royce & Bentley retailers of New York, NY where it was then sold to order to its original owner, Mr Jack Paar of Bronxville, NY.
The car boasts a virtually flawless Connolly leather and wood interior and has many surprisingly still all original components including its original leather wrapped rear leaf springs. The car has been maintained in recent years at the renown independent Rolls Royce & Bentley specialists 'Frank McLain & Sons' of Encino, California and this long time southern California family owned and cherished and always garaged car has had no accidents and is a completely rust free example - the floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are completely solid and rust free - see below undercarriage photos for some of the finest shots of an all original Rolls Royce Silver Cloud undercarriage anywhere in existence!
The beautiful and highly striking paint color of 'Royal Blue' exterior paint with red pin stripes is in exceptional condition and extraordinarily striking! The car has matching Rolls Royce hubcaps and as previously stated a virtually flawless full 'Connolly' 'Dark Red' color leather hides with light Gray carpeting and matching Mohair headliner interior. Connolly leather is legendary for being exclusively used in Rolls Royce and other high end British cars and came from unfenced cows which produced unblemished hides. All the chrome work including the front Rolls Royce grille and bumpers is absolutely outstanding. The door panels, carpets, dashboard and the original mohair headliner remarkably show virtually no signs of any wear. The car has it's original spare wheel with original jack still located in their rightful place of storage in the trunk compartment. The car also boasts its original factory build sheets from Rolls Royce of Crewe and the original delivery order form and paperwork to Jack Paar!
Obviously always garaged with no accidents or damage history and owned by only obviously two very careful owner's/custodian's for over fifty-five years - never abused! The car drives exactly like a well maintained and serviced Rolls Royce should and must be driven to be fully appreciated and seen to be believed! This car drives like no other Cloud - exactly as it is supposed to and as it would have when new; the engine is extremely strong and purrs like a sewing machine, the transmission shifts smooth as butter with Rolls Royce's legendary almost imperceptible shift and the engine temperature always remains cool. The car drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles and is a truly remarkable and responsive daily driver! The air conditioning blows cold air throughout the car and the power windows work smooth and fast. A truly remarkable example both mechanically and cosmetically.
This particular model truly must be driven and seen to be fully appreciated. For those who are unfamiliar, Rolls Royce no longer exists as it had for over one hundred years - this is one of the last in the original line of cars handbuilt in the legendary Rolls Royce factory in Crewe, England with a quality and craftsmanship that far surpasses that of today's mass produced models with many BMW parts - this is a rare opportunity to own a piece of automobile history, from a time when Rolls Royce was truly building the world's finest motor cars. This increasingly desirable and collectible Silver Cloud III, one of the most desired of the Silver Clouds by enthusiasts with the all aluminum 6.2L V8 engine and the quad head lights!
Along with it's tall grill and tall flying lady the Silver Cloud III is an absolute moving work of art from a time when Rolls-Royce and Bentley were arguably building the "Best Cars in the World" at the time of it's production; the craftsmanship and quality of these cars obviously speak for themselves and it is becoming increasingly hard to find any examples at all, let alone any such unabused and rust free examples - with only some 2,044 Silver Cloud III's built, and very few remaining or available for sale, you will surely look long and hard to find another in such fine condition. So bid with confidence, with fine Silver Cloud drophead coupe convertibles now selling in excess of $1M, this will no doubt prove a fabulous investment for the astute investor, Rolls Royce enthusiast or British Classic Car Collector or simply a great weekend toy for the discerning luxury classic car owner!
