6,223cc OHV V8 Engine
Twin SU Carburetors
185bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front and Semi-Elliptical Leaf Spring Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Shown at the 1959 Earl's Court Motor Show
*Delivered new to the US
*Rare, coachbuilt Silver Cloud
*Believed to be the final Hooper-bodied Rolls

THE SILVER CLOUD II

Introduced early in 1955 as replacements of the aging Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley R-Type, the all-new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-Type sported sleeker bodywork on a new box-section chassis incorporating improved brakes and suspension, while enlargement to 4,887cc and the adoption of a six-port cylinder head boosted the output of the dependable inlet-over-exhaust six-cylinder engine. Development of the latter though, was nearing its end and 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 aluminum-alloy V8 engine. Although wider and shorter than the 'six' it replaced, the new power unit fitted relatively easily within the engine bay, re-location of the steering box from inside to outside of the chassis frame being the most obvious alteration to the previous arrangements. 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 standardized. Immensely successful both at home and abroad, the Silver Cloud II remained in production until the autumn of 1962.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This unique Silver Cloud II is a rarely seen and highly optioned coachbuilt built example of the model. Ordered new through J.S. Inskip, the original owner was listed as Dorothy B. Kraft of Ridgewood, New Jersey—but this was crossed out on the chassis card and replaced with Benjamin Shattuck of Newton, Massachusetts. Built for the U.S. market, the limousine was outfitted with full air conditioning, Sundym glass, radio, articulated running boards that pop out of the rear doors, and various features for use in cold weather. The chassis was delivered to Hooper on August 24, 1959 and the completed car arrived at the shipper on January 8, 1960—but prior to shipment it was shown on the Hooper stand at the 1959 Earl's Court Motor Show.

It is not recorded how long the car was in Mr. Shattuck's garage, but an original Connecticut motor vehicle registration certificate indicates it had been purchased by Estelle McCormick of Greens Far, Connecticut on July 30, 1968 from Chester Motors Company on First Ave in Manhattan. A serial Rolls owner, the Owner Identification plate for her Silver Shadow, s/n SRA13841, somehow managed to sneak into the owner's handbook of her Cloud II. By 1978, LLCA1 had moved an hour northeast to the garage of Maurice Schwarz of Middletown, Connecticut. Featured in The Flying Lady, the car was described as "possibly the last Hooper-bodied Rolls-Royce" and won Mr. Schwarz the Hooper Trophy. Previous to that, it was also featured in the seminal Lawrence Dalton tome on post-WWII Rolls-Royces, The Elegance Continues.

Mr. Schwarz would retain the Rolls for at least a quarter of a century. At some point, the original engine was replaced with the current motor. In 2014 the limo joined the present ownership, where it has been on static display for the past nine years. With the recent lack of use, recommissioning is recommended prior to use. Showing nicely today, it appears to have been the recipient of some restoration work many years ago and features an updated air conditioning system.