West Coast Classics are proud to present and absolutely stunning and exceptionally rare example of this stunning 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III LHD 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 'Sundym' reflective tinted glass, White sided tubeless tires, power brakes and power windows.
Finished in an exceptionally striking color of 'Masons Black' with 'Gold' pin-stripes with a virtually flawless 'Tan' color Connolly hides interior with a matching carpeting and mohair headliner showing superb maintenance and care from its two long time owners.
6,230 cc OHV Alloy V8 Engine
Twin S.U. Carburetors
Approximately 185bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front, Live Axle Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Desirable left-hand drive, USA specification example
*The ultimate development of the legendary Silver Cloud series
*In original ownership for approximately 30 years
*Originally Masons Black over Beige
*Believed to have just two owners from new
According to factory production records, this desirable and attractive Silver Cloud III was completed to USA specifications in the classic combination of 'Masons Black' with 'Beige' Connolly Vaumol leather upholstery. The accompanying ownership card lists a Mr. Eric A. Lindholm of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, who may have been the original owner, as correspondence on file in his name dates to the 1960s. At some point, Mr. Lindholm moved from Florida to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, naturally taking his Rolls-Royce with him. Service receipts and correspondence between Lindholm and Rolls-Royce on file place it in his care well into the 1990s. Shortly thereafter, the cars second owner acquired the car for their renown collection, where it joined a stable of Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and other fine British automobiles. Having been in the care of just two passionate owners for most of its life, this Silver Cloud III will be sure to satisfy the discerning enthusiast.
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.
The car boasts a virtually flawless and very rare all original Connolly leather and wood interior and has many surprisingly still all original components including its original leather wrapped rear leaf springs. The car was recently serviced by us and this obviously always cherished and 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 'Masons Black' exterior paint with Gold pin stripes is in exceptional condition and extraordinarily striking! The car has matching Rolls Royce hubcaps and as previously stated a virtually flawless all original full 'Connolly' 'Beige' color leather hides interior with matching 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!
Obviously always garaged with no accidents or damage history and owned by only obviously two very careful owner's/custodian's for over sixty-two years - never abused! The car must be driven to be fully appreciated and seen to be believed! 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.
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.
