Lot 208 - 1963 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

• Originally owned by Nubar Gulbenkian
• Supplied by Jack Barclay
• Presents in delightful condition

Launched in 1962, the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III and its Bentley S3 equivalent employed the 6.2 litre aluminium-alloy V8 engine first introduced in the Silver Cloud II although with larger carburettors, new distributor and raised compression ratio. It also came with a four speed GM derived automatic gearbox as standard equipment. Most obvious, among many changes from the preceding models, was the adoption of four headlamp lighting, the absence of sidelights from the wing tops and a slightly lower radiator shell. Inside, there was improved accommodation with separate front seats and increased room for rear passengers. Notable as the last mainstream Rolls-Royce to employ a separate chassis, the Silver Cloud III remained in production until superseded by the unitary-construction Silver Shadow in late 1965. The Cloud represented a supremely elegant design and is often regarded as the last true Rolls-Royce.

This Rolls-Royce was originally supplied by Jack Barclay Ltd. in February 1963 to the immensely wealthy Mr. Nubar Gulbenkian who was born in The Ottoman Empire and brought to the UK at just a few weeks old. Educated at Harrow and then Cambridge, Gulbenkian was a serious car collector and would often buy a Rolls-Royce or Bentley and then redesign the car from front to back, with a money no object attitude. Gulbenkian ordered chassis number SCX381 to be finished in burgundy with tan leather interior, she still retains this delightful colour combination today. In true Gulbenkian style, the car was then dispatched to respected coachbuilder Radford prior to delivery, to have the rear seat backs adapted, so they would fold down to a flat position to create a large space for luggage, or a space that could be used as a bed. After just over four years he sold the car back to Jack Barclay who subsequently sold it again to Mr and Mrs Saunders of Ruislip. In the early 1970’s the car was sold to Mr. Schroeder of Norwich who retained the car until 2018. Cars that have low ownership and have been cherished for nearly fifty years tend to be well cared for, and this Rolls-Royce is no exception. The history file contains numerous invoices detailing the maintenance, servicing and improvements made each year. Recently this Silver Cloud III has benefitted from having the paintwork refreshed to a very high standard and the woodwork has been restored. The leather interior is largely original and retains a delightful patina that is impossible to replicate. Mechanically she runs very well and we are advised she drives with no known faults. Supplied with V5C registration document, a good history file, the original handbooks and both the small and large tools. With only 2,044 standard steel saloons built between 1962 and 1966, it is rare to find such a good example, particularly one with such an interesting history.