Footnotes

Facing increasing competition from faster rivals and with development of its ageing six-cylinder engine nearing its end, Rolls-Royce turned to V8 power as the 1960s approached. The V8 was, of course, the predominant power unit in Rolls-Royce's most important export market - the USA - so it was only natural that the Crewe firm would study the best American designs - principally those of Chrysler and Cadillac - for inspiration. Introduced in the autumn of 1959, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 appeared externally unchanged from their 'Cloud and S-Type predecessors, though the duo's performance was considerably enhanced by the new 6,230cc aluminium-alloy V8 engine. Externally the new models appeared virtually unchanged, while beneath the skin Rolls-Royce's own four-speed automatic transmission was now the only one on offer and power steering was standardised. Immensely successful both at home and abroad, the Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 remained in production until the autumn of 1962.

Catering for the luxury limousine market in the 1950s and 1960s, Rolls-Royce offered the royalty and heads of state-only Phantom IV and Phantom V and the generally available, if somewhat dated, Silver Wraith. Following the introduction of the Silver Cloud, a long-wheelbase version of this more modern design was made available from October 1957 onwards, with bodies closely based on the factory's standard offering. Four inches longer in the wheelbase than the standard saloon and usually fitted out with an internal division, these bodyshells were extended by Rolls-Royce's in-house coachbuilder Park Ward (soon to become H J Mulliner, Park Ward) at its London works and finished off at Crewe. Only 299 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II long-wheelbase saloons had been made by the time production ceased in 1962.

Unfortunately, no documents are available and nothing is known of the history of this long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II, other than it being acquired by the owner in circa 2013 January 2013. It has since been on static display and will require recommissioning prior to road use.

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