The last of the lightweight silver clouds

Probably the best part of our job as Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists is the people and stories that that arrive with the cars themselves. There are the cars inherited from relatives, the ones that have been passed down through generations, the ones that still work for a living doing special events and the ones that were bought to mark a milestone occasion. Each vehicle – and each owner – brings with it different requirements, different histories, and new possibilities.

We are lucky enough to work on so many wonderful cars here, and there are always a few that stick with us. We thought that in this blog post we would share with you the story of this incredible 1959 Rolls-Royce silver cloud.

There is a particular kind of charm possessed by highly original motor cars. The creases in the leather sit exactly where decades of occupants left them and the features wear their age honestly.  Such cars feel preserved, rather than restored – survivors with an honest story to tell.

This 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud Drophead Coupe was firmly in that category when we first encountered it.

SKG33 is believed to be the last one of nine fully coach-built right hand drive aluminium bodied cars made by renowned coachbuilders H.J Mulliner (to design 7410) and is certainly the only one with American style rear fins, making this an exceptionally rare surviving car, even within the already exclusive world of bespoke coach-built clouds.

In many ways, cars like this one are important because they represent one of the last flourishes of truly bespoke coachbuilding before standardisation moved in. These cars reflect an era of coachbuilding where material choice was still driven by craftsmanship and individual commission requirements, rather than by standardised production methods.  Aluminium bodywork was not chosen because it altered the relationship with the traditional ash frame, but because it suits the craftmanship of low-volume coachbuilding so well. Lighter than steel, and far more easily worked by hand, it allowed (and still allows) craftsmen to create complex, bespoke forms in a way that felt both individual and traditional.

Cars such as SKG33 sit right at the end of a period where coach-building firms such as H.J. Mulliner could still apply highly individual construction techniques to a handful of special orders.

What made this particular car even more remarkable to us, was just how original it remained when it arrived at the workshop. With its original interior and only 60,000 miles on the clock, it even came in complete with its original luggage set (made specifically for it) which was quite a joy to see.

An integral part of this car’s history is that it was originally produced for Mr Frank Nield, who owned a successful quarry and plant hire company and who was known for buying a Rolls-Royce or Bentley every year. He was precisely the kind of client for whom Rolls-Royce and Bentley created such cars, but even by the standards of the late 1950s, this drophead represented an extravagant expenditure. At the time when a standard Silver Cloud Saloon cost approximately £5,500, this bespoke convertible approached £9,000- a remarkable sum that would have made it out of reach to most buyers and also left it costing the same amount as a country estate at the time.

At some stage in the 1970s the car (presumably now with a different owner) acquired air conditioning. This would generally be a cautious modification for anyone who likes to keep the originality of their cars, but it must have greatly increased the cars appeal as a grand tourer.

However, by the time the car reached us at the Harvey Wash Ltd workshop several decades later, it had been standing for a long period of time and prolonged storage had inevitably taken its toll.

One of the greatest misconceptions we see surrounding classic cars is that low mileage alone preserves them, and this is simply not the case. In actual fact, inactivity can be more damaging than regular use. We see this regularly. Fluids degrade (even petrol goes off) pipes and cavities silt up, seals harden and become brittle, electrical contacts corrode and intricate systems such as hydraulics slowly seize through lack of use. That’s before we even start on moth damage and mouse nests!

Fortunately, recommissioning work of this nature is something that we greatly enjoy, and SKG33 was no exception.

The effects of prolonged storage were particularly evident in the cooling and braking systems. We found extensive contamination in the cooling system which required repeated flushing, dismantling and cleaning work to restore proper circulation through the radiator, cylinder block and heater matrixes.

The braking system was one area which required substantial recommissioning. Wheel cylinders, master cylinders and hydraulic hoses were all dismantled, cleaned, resealed or replaced after years of inactivity.

Our focus, as led by our lovely client Mr Grinter, was to preserve originality, and restore function rather than to go after cosmetic perfection. Electrical components were dismantled and repaired including window lifts and relay and wiring faults which were all rectified. Vacuum operated heater controls were also serviced and repaired.

As you can imagine, suspension and ride height needed extensive adjustment and multiple road tests before the car regained the poise that we would expect from a Silver Cloud.

Further works were carried out on the centralised chassis lubrication system which required investigation to clear blocked oilways and restore correct function. Door mechanisms were lubricated, carburettors were carefully synchronised and we recommissioned the air conditioning system to proper working order.

Following extensive recommissioning and road testing, the vehicle was returned to its owner who used it as a touring motor car which he drove across Europe. We’re told It performed beautifully which is always a delight to hear. 

The balance between preservation, usability and restoration is a recurring question in the stewardship of important historic motor cars, and every custodian inevitably brings different priorities – there is no hard and fast rule as to what is right or wrong. In many ways it’s very interesting to look at each ownership as a chapter of the vehicle’s life, and to see how its story unfolds in that chapter.  In the case of SKG33, our client’s aim was for sympathetic recommissioning rather than full cosmetic restoration, meaning components and finishes were repaired and retained wherever practical rather than routinely replaced.

Mr Grinter went on to sell this remarkable vehicle, and it has since undergone a more comprehensive restoration under its new owner. This marks another chapter in the life of a significant H.J. Mulliner Rolls-Royce — and what a story it has been!

We are very pleased to see it continuing its life on the road.

If you have a classic vehicle of your own that needs some attention, do of course get in touch. You can email us at info@harveywashltd.co.uk or give Matthew a call on 01376 571174

And finally, a special thank you to James Grinter, for allowing us to share this story.