Chassis No. LSCX789

Engine No. SX394C

H.J. Mulliner Body No. K.12

Rolls-Royce was a car before it was a company, starting as the result of a 1904 memorandum agreement between Royce Limited and the Honourable C.S. Rolls, essentially calling for Royce to make as many cars as Rolls could sell and Rolls to sell as many cars as Royce could make. Up until World War II a car produced by Rolls-Royce was only a chassis, which included the frame, wheels, engine and running gear, steering wheel and dashboard, and of course: the famous Rolls-Royce radiator and "Flying Lady" mascot known as The Spirit of Ecstasy. After purchasing a chassis, the customer would choose a coachbuilder to finish the body of the car.

After the war, demand for specialized/luxury automotive coachbuilding was waning as even high-end automakers, including Rolls-Royce, started to move towards offering complete automobiles. The Silver Cloud, introduced in 1955, was the second model Rolls-Royce would offer as a complete car (following the Silver Dawn), with its standard saloon body made so iconic with its exposure in film and advertising. Although the Silver Cloud was offered as a complete car, it could also be purchased as a chassis for the customer who wanted a custom coachbuilt car. Rolls-Royce owned the coachbuilding firms of H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward and eventually combined both firms to form Mulliner, Park Ward, though sometimes-as with this car-the coach plate on the doorsill would say "H.J. Mulliner Coachwork.

This car, chassis LSCX789, carries-arguably-the most recognized and admired drophead configuration in its final iteration with the Silver Cloud III: design 2007. On the performance side, the Silver Cloud III's V8 engine compression ratio was raised from 8.0:1 to 9.0:1. Enthusiasts generally agree that the Silver Cloud III drives and performs far more like a modern car compared to its two previous models in the series.

The Silver Cloud III was produced from 1963 to 1965-in that time a total of 2,809 cars were produced, but only 25 left-hand drive examples were produced to body design 2007, including this car. It was purchased via J.S. Inskip, the famed Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer in New York, and it was delivered in May 1963 to its first owner: William M. Young of Wilmington, Delaware. The second owner, a Mr. Spatola (USA), shipped it to Brussels and there it received a full restoration from Michel Kruch, who specializes in Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The car features an upgrade to a BOSS stereo system. The standard features include power windows and power convertible top, with the extensive wood interior trim Rolls-Royce is known for, including picnic tables behind the front seats for the rear passengers. The stunning presence of this car is made complete with its elegant black exterior and black upholstery.

The Silver Cloud III was the last run for production Rolls-Royce motorcars built on a full chassis (save the Phantom V and VI limousines)-the succeeding model, the Silver Shadow, was built on a monocoque frame, where the chassis and the body are integrated. With its smooth ride and luxurious hand-built craftsmanship, this Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III truly embodies all the superlatives associated with the marque, combined with the rarity of this H.J. Mulliner coachbuilt example makes for an attractive opportunity to acquire, literally, the best of the best.