Has there been a car with more prestigious connotations than a Rolls-Royce? It has been the epitome of the upper-crust for decades. Often, it seems, it was more about the person driving it than the car itself. A very special example, almost like nothing else on Earth, is our Pick of the Day: a 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Estate Wagon by H.J. Mulliner and Radford. It is for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in North Miami, Florida.
The Silver Cloud appeared in 1955 and was produced through 1966 when it was replaced by the Silver Shadow. It may be newsworthy to you to learn that the Silver Cloud I, which was produced into 1959, was powered by a 300ci straight-six; a V8 measuring 380ci didn’t appear until the Silver Cloud II, which was produced from 1959 through 1962. When the Silver Cloud III appeared in the fall of 1962, Rolls-Royce added quad headlights.
Of course, being a Rolls-Royce, there was a choice of custom options handled by coach builders. While 2,238 Silver Cloud Is were built, only 121 chassis were handled by coachbuilders. Of those, only four were converted to Estate Wagons by H.J. Mullliner and Radford. Radford may be familiar because it became renowned for its Aston Martin DB5 shooting brakes.
This particular Silver Cloud I, Sand over Sable with tan hides, was featured at the 1959 New York International Auto Show at the New York Coliseum. Though its storied history through 2003 is not listed, we do know it was the subject of a complete restoration by Vantage Motorworks (the seller) with “no effort spared.” It then made a splash at the commemorative 100-year anniversary Rolls-Royce display at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where it won 2nd Place. The following week, at the Rolls-Royce national meet in Monterey, this wagon took a RROC Concours Class Award and, in 2007, it won its class at the Naples Concours d’Elegance.
According to the seller, “This mechanically superb, completely refurbished and well-maintained example will likely require no further attention to any aspect for years to come.” This Rolls-Royce is a thoroughbred of the first order and comes complete with books and tools, as well as accompanying restoration files and FIVA certification certificate.
Perhaps you don’t need to live on an estate to own this 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Estate Wagon, but it’s quite possible you should be able to afford one based on the “Contact Seller” call to action. After all, a similar vehicle sold for $583,000 at Sotheby’s Amelia Island in 2017. No one said bespoke style and a stiff upper lip comes cheap.
1) Car does not appear to have seat belts?
2) Is displayed odometer reading accurate? Miles or kilometers?
3) Is car in Italy or Florida (ad says both)?
4) Is electrical system 6V or 12V?
5) What is asking price?
Thank you.
Hi C.J.,
Please click any of the links in the article to view more information or to contact the seller. And the car is in Florida, the Naples mentioned is Naples, Florida.
No price no interest.
My dad restored this car when it was shipped to the uk in 1978. it was re shipped back to the owner in Florida once completed.