Rolls-Royce : Other RHD Saloon

Please visit the webpage for this vehicle at
vintageandsportscar.com/rvsc/DIR3/DIR4/DIR5/65RollsRoyceSC3/1965_Rolls_Royce_Silver_Cloud_3.html#44
Chassis #: SJR 351 (built between 12/64 and 04/65)
Engine #: SR175J
Body #: 9015
Paint: Tudor Grey/Shell Grey
Upholstery: Light Blue/Grey Hide
Vehicle Description
Production Numbers:
In total there were 2,524 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud III produced and 1,286 of the near-identical Bentley S3. There were approximately 15,000 of all variants of the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S Series (Standard bodies and coachbuilt) produced between 1955 and 1966.
Cost when new: 5,500 Pounds Sterling, $16,000USD
Engine:
6,230 90deg V8 with Overhead Valves
Power: Approximately 230 bhp @ 4,000rpm
Torque: Approximately 340 lb/ft @2,200rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
Block: High Silicone content alloy block with ‘wet’ cast iron cylinder liners
Heads: Alloy with austenitic steel valve seats
Crankshaft: Nitride Hardened Chrome Molybdenum steel with integral balance weights running in 5 main bearings
Camshaft: Monikrom cast iron driven by helical gears
Carburettors: 2 x SU HD6 specially built for Rolls Royce finished in black enamel with stainless components and insulated chambers
Exhaust: Straight through large diameter pipe with 3 acoustic silencers, each tuned to absorb a different range of frequencies.
Dimensions:
Length: 216”
Width: 74”
Height: 64”
Weight: 4980lbs
Performance:
0-60mph: 11sec
Top Speed: 120mph
Vehicle History
1965-1976: Scotland
Purchased by original owner March 3, 1965 in Glasgow Scotland
Purchased by Mr. Thomas G. Lewin (Third Owner)
March 4, 1974
Inspection completed by George Fowler (Motors) Ltd. North Berwick, Scotland, with recorded mileage 61,315 miles on March 4, 1974.
1976-1984: Ontario, Canada
Automobile imported to Burlington, Ontario, Canada May 1976
Ontario Safety Standards Certificate obtained from Gulliver Motors (Burlington) Ltd., Authorized Rolls Royce Dealer on May 3, 1976, odometer 74,641 miles.
Sept 10, 1976: Full 12,000 mile Service
April 30, 1977: 80,500 miles Repairs to sills and fenders
lead load all repair panels.
Aug 15, 1977: Overhaul Brake Servo.
April 6, 1978: 88,578 miles, Remove and replace heater matrix.
Aug 10, 1979: 96,803 miles, 6,000 mile service
July 31, 1980: 99,046 miles, Remove and replace rear shocks, bushes and seals
Automobile was maintained by Hyphen Repairs Inc., Mississauga, Ontario September 10th, 1976 to July 1984.
1984-1987: Vancouver, Canada
Purchased by Mr. R Budworth November 1985 (4th owner)
Transported to Vancouver BC July 1984
Serviced by Carter Motors in Vancouver, Authorized Rolls Royce/Ferrari Dealer
April 8, 1986: 7,814 miles: Service, cosmetic details
May 2, 1986: Muffler, adjust carbs
July 16, 1986: 113,996miles, Full Service
Overhaul Brake Servo, replace sway bar links
Oct 17, 1986: 17,180 miles, Service, Overhaul steering rack
Oct 30, 1986: 117,200 miles, new windshield
April 15, 1987: 118,870 miles, Lube Service
May 4, 1987: 119,255 miles, Engine Service
May 20, 1987: 119,557 miles, Transmission service, shock service
June 8, 1987: 121,336 miles, Starter and Generator rebuild
1987-present: Lake Louise, Alberta
Purchased by 5th Owner
Serviced by Heinz Oldenthal, Banff Alberta
In approximately 2000, Heinz rebuilt the cylinder heads of the Rolls. With the heads off, the cylinder bores were inspected and found to be in excellent excellent condition. The car has been remarkably trouble free, only requiring regular maintenance since, although the temperature gauge and the fuel sending unit have been replaced. In 2011 the car was given a full service in preparation for being loaned out for a wedding for which it performed incomparably.
About the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
Many people consider the Rolls Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S Series to be the best cars Rolls Royce ever built. In their day, between 1955 and 1966, these were the best cars in the world, and it wasn’t until the Mercedes Benz 600 series was introduced near the end of the Clouds production run, that Rolls Royce had any serious competition for that accolade.
Designed by John P. Blatchley, the Silver Cloud represents the consummate, quintessential Rolls Royce/Bentley shape. After Rolls Royce and Bentley split in the late 1990’s, and it was time for Bentley to redesign their flagship sedan, they took their styling cues from the Silver Cloud/S Series when styling their new Mulsanne.
This Blatchley design was so successful that it drastically cut into the Rolls Royce Coachbuilders business. Many Coachbuilders closed shop during this era or were absorbed by Rolls Royce. Of the ‘Standard Bodies’, there were short wheel base cars and a smaller number of Long Wheel Base cars produced.
Park Ward, James Young, H.J. Mulliner, Hooper, Radford, Freestone & Webb, Franay, Graber and others produced bodies from a chassis supplied by Rolls Royce. Various bodystyles were offered including Drop Head Coupes (converibles), 2 door Coupes, formal limousines, and a few Estates. Bentley also offered several hundred ‘Continental’ Chassis to Coachbuilders, and these cars were advertised as having lighter weight, more powerful engines and less frontal area for greater top speed.
The original Silver Cloud I used a development of the 4.9L engine found in the Bentley R Type Continental (then the fastest 4-door production car in the world). It produced about 180hp, and gave the 5,000lb sedan 0-60mph in 11.5 sec and a top speed of about 110 mph. In 1959 the visually identical Silver Cloud II/Bentley S2 was released and this sported a completely new all-alloy 6.2L engine. Influenced by the American designs of the era, this engine was similar in architecture, but was a be-spoke Rolls Royce design with alloy block and heads. The transmission was a General Motors Hydramatic transmission built under license. This 6.2L engine grew to 6.75L for installation in the Silver Shadow cars, was Turbo Charged in the 80’s Bentley Turbo R, and went on to power the last of the Bentley Arnage, Brooklands and Azure cars up until the 2010 model year. In fact, you can still find a new Bentley with this engine on many dealers lots today.
The Silver Cloud III came out in late 1962 and featured some design changes to make the car look slightly more modern to appeal to American buyers, who made up the largest market for Rolls Royce cars. The bonnet was raked for the first time, the RR grille was a bit shallower, and the front wings were cut down at the front. It was slightly less ‘square-rigged’ than the earlier Clouds. The major visual difference was the adoption of 4 headlights, which was again, the fashion in America.
The engine received a useful upgrade in power as the compression was raised from 8:1 to 9:1. Power outputs were never disclosed at Rolls Royce, famously being described as ‘adequate’, but contemporary road tests estimate the figure at 230hp@4,000rpm and 340lb/ft torque at 2,000rpm. It was ‘adequate’ enough for the car to accelerate from 0-60mph in about 11 seconds and go on to a top speed of 120mph. This would have been about twice as fast as a contemporary small car such as a Triumph Herald or Austin Mini. The Rolls Royce cost about 5,500 pounds Sterling and about $usd16,000 in 1965.
In total, there were about 15,000 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud/Bentley S Series motorcars produced from 1955-1966. The build quality is such that a large percentage of the cars are still on the road, and they remain every bit as quiet, luxurious and stately as they were when new.
Current Condition
This Rolls Royce can be considered a well-maintained driver. It has been regularly used and serviced as its maker intended.
Mechanically the car starts cleanly and runs with good oil pressure. There is only a very small puff of blue smoke on start up after the car has been sitting, and this goes away instantly. The car runs with good oil pressure, and while the gauge doesn’t have numbers, it is always in the ‘normal’ portion. There is some minor leaking of fluids, as one would expect from a British car of this vintage, but nothing requiring immediate attention.
The car stops, starts, and generally behaves itself in all areas. The brakes, including the gearbox driven brake servo and handbrake are set up correctly and work properly. The steering is tight and direct, and the dampers control the body motions well. There are no undue clunks from the suspension, and no shaking from the body over rough roads which is testament to the engineering that went into each of these cars.
There is no corrosion on the exterior panels, and close examination of the underside reveals all of the frame members, wheel arches, outriggers and sills to be in remarkable condition. The exterior paintwork, about 25 years old, still looks fresh. There are some minor stone chips and a couple touched up scratches. Upon very close examination you can notice some prep marks in the paint where the solvents from the primer have evaporated. All previous metal work that was done on the car was done properly and lead loaded. There is no filler in the body shell.
The interior leather has stood up exceptionally well, and has never been painted or restored. It retains a lovely patina which is much sought after by collectors. The carpet in the rear is serviceable, but the carpet in front is worn through in the passenger side. The carpet underlay is in perfect condition.
The exterior lights, chrome and rubber is in excellent condition. The glass remains unclouded and the rubber seals are still soft. There is no staining in the interior from leaking seals which can be particularly damaging to the wood and wool headliner. A replacement for the LHS indicator light has been ordered after being damaged in storage.
This is a car that you can collect in Lake Louise and drive home. It offers a tremendous amount of car for a modest outlay, and as it has been consistently used and given reliable service over the years, the same can be expected in the future.

Also published at eBay.ca