PROVENANCE
Mr. G. Plomateux, Chateau d’Odeigne, Belgium (acquired new in 1965)
Philip Wichard, Huntington, New York (acquired from above circa 1976)
Dennis Nicotra, New Haven, Connecticut (acquired in 1977)
Dan Mouton, Beaumont, Texas (acquired circa 2012)
Current Owner (acquired from the above)

LITERATURE
Anthony Bird and Ian Hallows, The Rolls-Royce Motor Car and the Bentley Since 1931, listed on p. 347
Davide Bassoli, Every Cloud has a Silver Lining, listed on p. 310
James Taylor, Original Rolls-Royce & Bentley 1946-65, listed on p. 159
Lawrence Dalton, Rolls-Royce: The Classic Elegance, listed on p. 253

THIS CAR
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud IIIs, the last of the favored Cloud series, were so well loved and well used that discovering a rare and refined all-aluminum coachwork example like this one – driven less than 31,000 miles – is a remarkable find.

Although the Silver Cloud series I and II – along with Bentley siblings S.1 and S.2 – shared many of the same components, contemporary design cues and mechanical upgrades were introduced in the Silver Cloud III and Bentley S.3 in 1962. Most obvious were the dual quad headlamps, a lower bonnet and radiator shell, and smaller bumpers. The still-sumptuous interior allowed even more legroom and featured a new padded cap rail above the instrument panel, as well as individual and fully adjustable front seats.

The venerable straight-six engine in the first series was replaced with a V-8 in the second series and continued with the Silver Cloud III, but a higher compression ratio of 9:1 and 2" carburetors resulted in 7% more horsepower over the Silver Cloud II and Bentley S.2.

Rolls-Royce remained competitive with other luxury marques in the prosperous postwar years by introducing a standard assembly line product, but there remained a steady market for personalized cars built for the owner-driver, like this desirable four-door, six-light saloon known as the “Flying Spur.”

Launched in 1963 at the Earls Court Motor Show, 52 Silver Cloud III chassis were bodied by H.J. Mulliner Park Ward with design no. 2042, commonly known as the Flying Spur.

The Flying Spur offered today, LSHS 353 C, is one of only 17 examples factory-equipped in left-hand drive. The factory works card that accompanies the car identifies bespoke specifications when new, which include an electric radial aerial, speedometer in kilometers, and high-frequency horns.

The car is finished in mirror-like Velvet Green, a unique Rolls-Royce paint color that appears black unless in bright light. The interior – recently freshened and improved by marque specialist Vantage Motor Works – features buttery Connolly hides in a pale tan dye lot called “Champagne,” matching Wilton beige wool fitted carpets with leather piping, and the finest highly polished walnut veneers. The upgraded air-conditioning system delivers its cool air via a pair of vents flanking the headliner, exactly as they would have been fitted in 1965.

This rare example has timeless styling and is offered complete with original hand and road tools, owner’s manual, and original documents. It is ready to be enjoyed by its fortunate new owner as a long-distance touring car and is an excellent candidate to be shown. As it has not been entered for judging in many events, it would be a thrill indeed to present it for the first time to the most prestigious concours.