It’s not every day that I encounter a Rolls-Royce project – they’re usually more sublime than just languishing along in an inbetweeney state. Regardless, that’s what we have for you today, a drop-head Rolls project in the form of a 1960 Silver Cloud II. This most unusual find is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for a “make-an-offer” option.
In a nutshell, the Silver Cloud was offered for twelve model years (’55-’66) and came in three editions, Silver Cloud I, II, and III. Our subject car is a II edition, one of about 2,400 assembled, and came in two-door coupe and convertible (drop head) body styles along with the more commonly found and elegant four-door sedan (saloon).
Now, here’s an interesting item that I learned, according to the seller, “Rolls Royce had their convertibles made by coachbuilders in the UK when these cars were new. Places like Mulliner and Park Ward took new unfinished sedans off the line and welded the front of the rear door onto the front doors to lengthen them. They obviously removed the roof, made a folding top frame, and had to rework the rear quarter panels to make it all come out”. This example, however, is not a factory car, it’s what’s known as a “cut car” or a convertible that was not built by a coachbuilder, but in this case a California shop. The seller further states that it will need an “experienced body man” to finish. The basics have been performed but there is a lot of finishing that will still need to occur.
Powering this custom convertible is a 185 HP, 6.2 liter V8 engine which drives an automatic transmission. The seller mentions, “I have never tried to start it, but I did turn the engine over with a wrench, and it has the appearance of having had lots of work done to it. I also spotted the alternator conversion, very nicely done“. So, at least we know the engine isn’t seized and should be workable. Added is, “…no you can’t drive it home!“.
The right-hand drive interior is absolutely a work in progress. There is a walnut dash, replete with a full set of gauges in place, and red leather-covered seats too, but there is still much to be accomplished. The convertible top frame has been completed and is in place – the seller claims, “it opens and closes quite easily“. Back to those seats, Connolly hides or not, they’ll need attention but that’s a small matter compared to the entire scope of the remaining work yet to be performed.
If you have an interest in this custom drop-head project and don’t know what an appropriate offer should be, the seller suggests that he would consider a partial trade for a “Citroen 2CV, Vintage rear engine FIat 500 or 600, 1965 0r 66 Mustang“. What do you think, up for a challenge?
The big question here is “what-is-it-worth-and-what-is-the-market” for a bastardized RR. It certainly would look sharp to drive around without worrying about its value. Put a decent (not perfect) paint job and clean up all edges (not original) and get as much attention from everyone who will enjoy looking at it. Most people will have no idea what was OE or not and most won’t care.
Just my 2 cents!! ( or pence!). ( know that is not worth much these days). Thanks Barnfinds, for bringing some interesting projects to talk about!!
I think whoever did this to the Rolls had a screw loose. Or maybe it belonged to his wife,
A 6.2 liter V-8 with 185 hp? That’s not a lot of power for a car of this size, custom or not.
Darren these are high torque engines which is why the performance is adequate for the job it was intended to do. In addition high torque engines are generally lower speed and have a much longer life span than the high performance engines you are generally referring to. I understand your comment and in my past I would have agreed with you but I had a chance to work with a Rolls Royce Chauffeur many years ago and this is the information I got from him. Also only mechanic I have ever seen work on a car with a black tie and white shirt. In the month I worked with him, before he went to other shops in the U.S. I learned so much. He never got dirty much beyond his wrists. He explained it is all about pre-planning what you are going to do and being prepared. If you ever get the chance work with one. For me it was a revelation. Something simple as how to stop a car without any kind of jerk is something that required constant practice.
Too bad it is not a Shooting Brake. I could live with that, but a cabriolet, ahh no thanks.
Interesting project, with a good head-start on the makings of a gorgeous ride. Given the modifications already done, I’d be inclined to go ahead and convert it to LHD, too. There are shops that specialize in R-R/Bentley LHD conversions.
You’d have to be Dropped on Your Head. To take on this Drop Head. Too easy?
Charles must be rolling over in his grave. (Too easy?)
I have a working 2CV. How much money comes with the Roller…?
Needs a small block Chevy
Spare us this stupidity. !!!!
This would be great done up in a similar fashion to the famous ‘Derelict Rolls Royce’. Give it a patina paint job, put in an aluminum 6.2 LS out of an Escalade paired with a 2wd 6L80e trans. Sell the original motor to a restorer who needs it to finance the build. Add air ride or Magna ride suspension, rack and pinion conversion, and four wheel disc brakes with retro oversize wheels.
Then just roll around in it. Yeah.
UH, no. (IMHO)
These cars don’t seem to get much money in the auction markets. You’d be way upside down trying to get this back to original RR condition. I’d do what Justin said and try to make a nice somewhat reliable driver. But then again, I’d never touch it!
What I’d like to know is how a car like this gets in this condition.
There are left hand drive R/R in excellent shape that have been converted to dropheads for under $200,000.
No Price Means OVERPRICED!
This particular car and seller have been discussed at length on various online forums. It is an obvious four-door to which a can opener has been applied, it is an Cloud II with all the mechanical woes that that implies to the knowledgeable. The best advice is do your due diligence, employ the services of a competent professional appraiser, and then be willing to walk, or run away! I know what he’ll say if he knows his stuff.
PARTIAL trade?
As many of you know from my prior posts, I ran a repair and restoration shop specializing in US and British luxury marques, including Rolls-Royce.
In the late 1980s Several small shops were setting up in England, most of them run by former craftsmen at coachbuilders like Mulliner, Park Ward, Hoopers, etc. At first these shops specialized in repair and restoring Rolls-Royce & Bentley cars.
As the demand and subsequent price increases for genuine 2-door Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley “S” series drophead coupes kept rising, These shops began specializing in converting 4-door saloons into finely crafted cars, built to the same exacting quality as the originals, by the same guys who converted them when new. In many cases, the only way an expert can tell the difference is by using the VIN and checking the original chassis build card info [Held by the Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club].
These later conversions, done to original standards by the original workers, do maintain a high value due to the very small number of originals and plenty of wealthy buyers who appreciate the quality, and are not as concerned about the cars not being factory approved. I’ve had an owner tell me his Cloud drophead, made about 30 years ago, was proudly made in the same way it would have been when new.
However, finishing THIS car will require the same level of quality, if the car is to be accepted as a comparable conversion. If not, it will loose upwards of 75% of it’s possible value. Chinga-Trailer is correct. This car needs to be inspected by someone who knows these cars in & out. But the new owner needs to find a crew capable of finishing it correctly. And guys like that don’t come cheap.
Now consider the cost involved to modify this into a streetrod or custom car. The financial difference between restoring/creating a drophead Silver Cloud and making a streetrod or custom is actually not very much [for the same quality work & finish]. But the potential final value will likely be 50% to 75% of what a correctly built version will bring, primarily because the majority of people who will pay that kind of money want something that can pass as an original, not a custom vehicle. Of course there are always exceptions. For example, if Kindig-it Design was to finish this car, it might bring more as a custom than restored, but that’s mostly due to Kindig’s reputation.