1955 Rolls-Royce launched the Silver Cloud as their core model and it replaced the aging Silver Dawn. It was nearly identical to the Bentley S1 apart from badges and the front radiator. Like its predecessor, the Silver Cloud was built on a box-steel chassis allowing customers to order custom-tailored bodies like the rare cabriolets made by H.J. Mulliner.
Many cars were built with standard bodywork from the Rolls-Royce factory that used a standard steel body shell fabricated by Pressed Steel Company Limited. These were entirely steel except for the aluminum hood, trunk and doors.
Throughout production several upgrades were made to the running gear including an optional automatic transmission. In 1957 the car got twin SU carburetors and an optional long-wheel base chassis became available.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1955 – 1958 |
| price $ | $ 13,250 |
| price £/td> | £5,000 |
| engine | Inlne-6 |
| displacement | 4887 cc / 298.2 in³ |
| bore | 95.25 mm / 3.75 in |
| stroke | 114.3 mm / 4.50 in |
| compression | 8.00:1 |
| power | 134.2 kw / 180.0 bhp @ 4000 rpm |
| specific output | 36.83 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 88.37 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 379.6 nm / 280.0 ft lbs @ 2000 rpm |
| front tires | 8.20-15 |
| rear tires | 8.20-15 |
| curb weight | 2037 kg / 4490 lbs |
| wheelbase | 3124 mm / 123.0 in |
| front track | 1473 mm / 58.0 in |
| rear track | 1524 mm / 60.0 in |
| top speed | ~165.0 kph / 102.5 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~13.5 seconds |
| 0 – 1/4 mile | ~18.4 seconds |
| combined fuel econ eu | 19.5 L/100 km or 12.06 mpg-us |
Auction Sales History
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe Adaptation LSMH57 – sold for $715,000 One of 13 built and 10 left-hand-drive examples. Built for noted industrialist and sportsman Norman Paul Butler. Numerous original special features, including a Rolls-Royce tachometer. Award-winning restoration at multiple national concours. Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation.
Auction Source: 2015 Amelia Island by RM Sotheby’s
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupe LSFE 451 – sold for $550,000 One of 11 Design No. 7410, Left-Hand-Drive Drophead Coupes Hand Built in Aluminum. Exceptional Provenance Including Celebrity Ownership. Meticulous Restoration by Noted Rolls-Royce Specialist. Consistently Maintained to the Highest Standard. Multiple-Award Winner.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions 2015 by Gooding & Company
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I James Young Drophead Coupe LSJF202 – sold for $742,500 A one-off, custom design by James Young. Original body, engine, gearbox, and left-hand drive. Less than 38,000 original miles. Unusually equipped with power steering and a power antenna. A unique, beautiful, and genuinely sporty Silver Cloud.
Auction Source: 2014 Monterey by RM Auctions
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Saloon LSED321 – sold for $60,500 Offered from the Pray Collection. Fascinating ownership history. Accompanied by Rolls-Royce Foundation and Hunt House documentation.
Auction Source: Amelia Island 2014 by RM Auctions
1957 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I Sports Saloon LSED351 – sold for $38,500 Originally owned by actor James Mason. Significant interior work recently completed. Recent brake and transmission rebuilds. One of 2238 built. Documented chain of ownership and recent service.
Auction Source: 2013 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Saloon – did not sell for $35,000 One of 2,238 Silver Cloud I’s produced from 1955–1959. Just-completed restoration to original specification. Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation
Auction Source: 2012 St John’s by RM Auctions
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I – sold for €56,000 Elegant Hooper custom coachwork on the LWB Silver Cloud I chassis. Displayed at Villa d’Este and Techno Classica Essen; complete with build sheets. Serviced, used sparingly and kept in the south of France since 2010.
Auction Source: Monaco 2012 by RM Auctions
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I “Honeymoon Express” Drophead Coupé SGE270 – did not sell for €710,000 One of the rarest and most important post-war, coach built Rolls-Royces in existence. Sensational original “finned” Freestone & Webb two-seater coachwork with disappearing top. Christened the “Honeymoon Express” by design journalists at the Earl’s Court Show. An unrepeatable opportunity; one of only two such Rolls-Royces built. Only 42,070 original miles after three decades of single ownership.
Auction Source: Monaco 2012 by RM Auctions
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I H.J. Mulliner Drop Head Coupe – sold for $495,000 Hand-Built Aluminum Coachwork. One of Just 11 Left-Hand Drive 7410 Drop Head Coupes Built. Fabulous Provenance and Limited Ownership. Presented in Factory-Delivered Color Scheme. Consistent Award Winner over the Past Three Decades. Beautifully Maintained High-Quality Restoration.* Well-Documented and Pedigreed Example. Widely Regarded as the Ultimate Coachbuilt Silver Cloud.
Auction Source: 2011 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Long Wheelbase Saloon LCLC17 – sold for €70,347
Delivered new to Hollywood, California in March 1959, this rare left-hand drive example is one of just 35 long-wheelbase examples. This car, registered 838 YUD, was well equipped from new with factory-fitted air conditioning at an original cost of £225. Other options included an electric division window, power window lifts and power brakes. Having enjoyed just two owners from new and having spent all of its life in California until early 2011, this car is in exceptional original condition with just under 49,000 miles indicated. It retains its original and very rare vanity kit within the rear armrest, consisting of a note pad, an unused cigarette case and a ladies’ compact mirror, with all remaining in virtually perfect original condition and finished in tan leather with Rolls-Royce embossed emblems in gold leaf.
Imported to the UK in 2011 and fully UK-registered, 838 YUD recently received service work including a brake-system overhaul and a new factory-supplied stainless-steel exhaust system. The underside of this car is in excellent order with no visible signs of corrosion. The engine bay has been fully detailed, and overall, 838 YUD is in superb, original, unrestored condition. Understood to drive as well as it looks, this fabulously original and rare coachbuilt LWB Silver Cloud is supplied with a comprehensive history file including the factory build records and a complete toolkit, plus a current MoT road test certificate and road fund licence document.
Auction Source: 2011 Salon Privé Auction by RM
1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Long-Wheelbase Sedan CLC40 – sold for $43,290
The ultimate in style and luxury in its day, this left-hand drive Silver Cloud long-wheelbase sedan is a fine example of British motoring excellence, retaining all its correct badging and trim. The car has been in the consignor’s possession for the past 5-6 years and benefits from extensive refurbishment carried out in 2005 including a re-spray, re-plating of brightwork and refinishing of interior woodwork. Finished in the very elegant combination of Dark Burgundy over Masons’ Black with contrasting tan hide upholstery, the car – we are advised – has been well maintained and is in sound condition.
Auction Source: 2006 Monterey Preview
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