1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II LWB by Radford

The rarest of all long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce from the Cloud through to the Shadow and onward to the Spur are the sought-after 'non-division' cars. Offering greater leg room, as ironically the division takes up the four-inch extra space offered by the lengthened wheelbase, greater driver comfort as the front seats can go further back and, in this egalitarian age, the driver, when taking his family and friends for a spin, feels less like a liveried chauffeur. Most Silver Clouds went to either Mulliner Park Ward or James Young for coachbuilding works to lengthen the wheelbase, however, a very limited number were sent by their owners to Harold Radford (Coachbuilding) Ltd. of Berkeley Street in Kensington.

Although all three major coachbuilders did a superb job, Radfords differed by the amount of attention they paid to the interior. They offered a number of desirable refinements including mirror-backed drinks tables that folded down from the back of the front seats, veneered panels that concealed bespoke crystal tumblers, and well-secreted drinks cabinets. In their "Countryman" series, a complex folding rear picnic table emerged from the boot floor and with the large boot lid fully up formed a perfect spot to place champagne buckets and picnic hampers. The Radford Countryman range was not just limited to the long-wheelbase but a 'Shooting Brake' version of the Cloud was also produced and these now command several hundred thousand pounds.

According to the copy build sheets within the history file, this car was ordered by Mr W. H. Orr of Bristol in Masons Black over Sand, the colours it wears today, and registered in his ownership on the 14th March 1961. Reportedly chauffeur driven for most of its early life and under its second owner"s tenure the car appeared at numerous Rolls-Royce Enthusiast Club Concours events winning two first and two second places. Two subsequent owners were to follow until the car's purchase by our vendor Sir Peter Vardy, one of the pillars of the British automotive industry and a noted philanthropist. Sir Peter spent some £11,000 refurbishing the car"s interior which included re-trimming the seatingr to factory specification in Beige leather and attention to the Walnut door cappings.

As a much-valued member of Sir Peter"s personal collection the car wears the registration number “PV 1” which is not included in the sale and retention proceedings have begun. The car will be presented to auction with a fresh MOT and an exceptionally detailed history file, handbooks and a sheaf of receipts.

Pure, understated, style.