The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud came as a trilogy that provided Rolls-Royce with a masterpiece of masterpieces and a fresh approach for eleven years, from 1955 to 1966. Before the Silver Cloud, Rolls-Royce had been known for building very classic, sometimes even pompous cars. However, with the arrival of the Silver Cloud, they deviated somewhat from that tradition, which may have earned them even more enduring fame. Yet, the iconic Rolls-Royce’s grille remained, even to this day.
In 1955, Rolls-Royce introduced the successor to the post-war Silver Dawn: the Silver Cloud. It was available as a coupe and a convertible and represented a significant leap forward, visually evident in its exterior design. They abandoned the extravagant designs and over-ornamented details, giving the Silver Cloud a sleeker, fresher and newer look, as if Rolls-Royce was embarking on a new era. Of course, the unmistakable Rolls-Royce grille remained intact. Not only did the Silver Cloud get a new look, but this high-end flagship was also adorned with numerous innovations. The chassis was 50% stiffer, the suspension became fully independent, though they still used drum brakes instead of disc brakes. Nevertheless, the robust and massive construction was so superior that Rolls-Royce advertised the second Silver Cloud by stating, ‘at 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock’, emphasizing their cars' exceptional quality.
Quality was paramount at Rolls-Royce. Before sale, each engine underwent a seven-hour full-throttle test for quality. Major maintenance was required only every 320,000 kilometres, as per Rolls-Royce's recommendation. The shock absorbers were adjustable, providing an interactive driving experience. Inside, the seats were meticulously finished with leather, the rear seat offered the utmost comfort, even dining tables were installed. Shifting was automatic with a four-speed gearbox, and steering also was a breeze thanks to power steering.
Initially, the car was equipped with the 4.9-litre straight-six engine from its predecessor. In 1959, the Silver Cloud II was introduced, featuring a brand-new 6.2-litre V8 engine that produced no less than 185 horsepower and achieved a top speed of 182 kilometers per hour. The Silver Cloud II brought some innovation, many options from the first model became standard on the second. From 1963 to 1966, Rolls-Royce produced a third and last iteration of the Silver Cloud, known as the Silver Cloud III. In 1965, the Silver Shadow was brought to the market as its successor.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II
In 1959, the Silver Cloud II made its debut being the second Silver Cloud in series. As previously mentioned, this second version boasted a brand-new 6.2-litre V8 engine that produced no less than 185 horsepower and achieved a top speed of 182 kilometres per hour. The II brought some innovations, and what had been optional in the first model often became standard in the II.
In all its variations, just over 2,700 Silver Cloud II were manufactured. Today, the Silver Cloud is often bestowed with the title ‘the most beautiful car Rolls-Royce ever built’, a testament to its high desirability.
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