Beschreibung:

1964 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER CLOUD III FOUR DOOR FLYING SPUR COACHWORK BY MULLINER PARK WARD Registration No. Not U.K. Registered Chassis No. SGT 599C Engine No. ST 299 G Burgundy with grey leather upholstery. Engine: V-8, 6,230cc, overhead valve; Gearbox: four speed automatic; Suspension: front, independent coil, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: front, hydraulic, rear, hydraulic and mechanical with servo. Right hand drive. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III is a significant car because it was the last of the Silver Cloud series, a series replaced by the Silver Shadow in 1966. The Silver Cloud III had the same basic V8 engine as the Silver Cloud II although Rolls-Royce had cured the early problems encountered on the V8. The horsepower was boosted by 7 with higher compression and larger carburettors. The top speed was 115mph and 0-60mph was achieved in 10.8 seconds whilst the steering effort was lighter than the Cloud II because of increased power steering. The Cloud III is considered to be one of the most reliable Rolls-Royce models ever made. The body style was distinguished by quad headlamps, two on each side and a lower hoodline. Interior changes were minor, although there was more room and the front seats were now individually adjustable. In a few instances noteworthy coachbuilt bodies were constructed on the Silver Cloud III, thereby providing the last chance for coachbuilders to work with a separate chassis. This very rare example is one of the better known designs of a coachbuilt car and carries the Flying Spur four door six light saloon coachwork which was largely the result of co-operation between Mulliner's chief stylist, Herbert Nye and the project team at Crewe. The name Flying Spur was generally used on the Bentley model (upon which most were built) however it is still correct for a Rolls-Royce version, such as this example. Supplied through agents W.M. Couper Ltd. of St Albans, the Rolls-Royce was sold new to W.C. Jones & Co. Ltd of Waltham Cross, Herts in the livery it wears today. Chassis build records note it to have been fitted with electric windows to all doors, Reutter reclining separate front seats, Dunlop white-wall tyres, Lambswool rugs to front and rear, luggage straps and unusually a Philips record player was fitted under the centre of the dash. It is not known how long the car was kept by the original owner, or indeed how long it remained in the UK, but it was purchased by the current owner in the mid-1980s from Michael Schudrof's Carriage House Motor Cars in New York. Since acquisition it was the subject of some cosmetic work including a repaint, which on recent inspection by a Christie's representative, was deemed to have now aged somewhat. The Silver Cloud III Flying Spur is arguably the most stylish of all post-war Crewe production, and of only 52 built just 34 are listed as being to right hand drive specification, making them very exclusive indeed. Returning to the UK for sale, this will no doubt be welcomed into the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club events.