1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I

Rolls-Royce broke from tradition when it introduced its Silver Cloud. Instead of building incomplete cars and delivering chassis to custom coachbuilders, the Silver Cloud (and corporate sibling Bentley S1) was a complete car clothed in a factory-built body. This allowed Rolls to produce the new car in far greater numbers and with a higher margin than previously and helped set the stage for future development.

Typifying the growing economic confidence of the mid 1950s, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was larger, faster, and more boldly styled than its Silver Dawn predecessor. Introduced in 1955, there was nothing average about its standard steel saloon bodywork. The Silver Cloud was beautifully proportioned, benefitting from a modified J. P. Blatchley razor edge design, and it was a huge hit.

A masterclass in formal elegance, it was underpinned by a new cruciform-braced box-section chassis equipped with independent coil-sprung front suspension, a live rear axle, and servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. Powered by a twin SU carburettor fed, 4,887cc straight-six engine allied to standard-fit 4-speed automatic gearbox (GM’s Hydra-Matic transmission was standard from 1956), the Cloud could waft along at over 100mph. Critics of the Cloud's later variants noted that the new 6.75 V8 was neither smooth nor quiet compared to the Cloud I's 4.9-litre straight-six.

In addition, they had adjustable shock absorbers operated by a lever on the steering column, and the brakes got a second master cylinder in 1956. Chassis and suspension lubrication was facilitated by a foot-operated total-loss Luvax-Bijur system, with an oil tank on the firewall.

Once affectionately described as 'a veritable country club on wheels', the model certainly boasted an inviting cabin. Trimmed with the finest hides, carpets, and wood veneers, it promised relaxation and contentment.

The car presented here is a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud l which has had a cherished history, in more recent times, as part of a wedding car fleet. Regularly maintained and being a model of reliability, it is now offered for sale. VNP 777 is further understood to have spent some time in America, again, being dutifully cared-for. Indeed, our vendor has over £20,000 worth of receipts relating to its maintenance and upkeep. It has recently benefitted from an engine rebuild and is said to be running beautifully.