This 1963 Rolls-Royce is one of a limited number of purpose-built Silver Cloud III convertible coupés crafted by the Rolls-Royce coachbuilding shop H.J. Mulliner & Co, and it was converted to left-hand drive during a prior refurbishment. Chassis SCX361 was given a mechanical refresh in 2023 involving rebuilding its 6.2-liter V8 and four-speed automatic transmission. Finished in black with a power-operated black convertible top, the car features 15″ wheels with covers, a polished stainless-steel grille, a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, and Lucas driving lights. The cabin is trimmed in cream leather with burl wood accents and amenities include air conditioning, power windows, rear-seat tray tables, and a Blaupunkt push-button AM/FM radio. This Silver Cloud III Adaptation is now offered with a boot cover, records and photos from the 2023 work, an owner’s manual, and a clean California title.
When the Silver Cloud III launched in 1962, it ushered in design changes that included four-headlamp lighting, the absence of signal lights from the wing tops, and a lower hood and radiator shell. Drophead Coupés were based on the Standard Steel Saloon and converted by Mulliner with re-engineered side panels and a soft top.
This example is finished in black with a power-operated black convertible top and was repainted during the aforementioned refurbishment. Features include a cream boot cover, Lucas driving lamps, a polished stainless-steel grille, a Spirit of Ecstasy ornament, bright rocker-panel moldings, and chrome bumpers with overriders. Paint meter readings are viewable in the gallery.
Steel 15” wheels wear bright covers with black and gold accent stripes as well as U.S. Royal Safety 800 whitewall tires. Independent front suspension is handled by unequal-length control arms with coil springs, hydraulic dampers, and an anti-roll bar while a live axle with gaiter-clad half-elliptic leaf springs, a single radius rod, and electrically controlled shock dampers is fitted at the rear. Power-assisted steering and drum brakes came standard.
The car was converted to left-hand-drive configuration during the refurbishment, and the split front and rear bench seats are trimmed in cream leather with fold-down center armrests. Contrasting black carpeting overlays the floorboards, and burl wood lines the dashboard and door caps. Amenities include air conditioning, power front windows, roll-down rear windows, and a push-button Blaupunkt Köln AM/FM stereo radio as well as a driver-side cubby, a passenger-side glovebox, and map pockets with sliding covers.
Burl wood fold-out picnic tables are integrated into the backs of the front seats.
The three-spoke steering wheel fronts Smiths instrumentation including a 120-mph speedometer, a clock, and a combination gauge that displays amperage, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows 48k miles.
The 6.2-liter overhead-valve V8 features an aluminum block and cylinder heads, is equipped with dual SU carburetors, and produced an estimated 220 horsepower when new. An overhaul of the engine in 2023 included cold-tanking the block, performing a valve job, and replacing the cylinder heads, cylinder liners, pistons, lifters, connecting rod nuts, water pump, seals, and spark plugs.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a GM-licensed Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission that was rebuilt at the time of the engine overhaul.
The number SX180C stamped on the engine block corresponds with a Silver Cloud III chassis number beginning with SCX. Additional photos from the engine rebuild can be viewed in the gallery.
The chassis number beginning with the letters “SCX” is consistent with a Series C Silver Cloud III Standard Saloon manufactured between September 1962 and September 1963. The absence of the letter “L” preceding the chassis number indicates right-hand drive.
