History of Rolls Royce Silver Cloud

The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud was the main car manufactured by Rolls-Royce from April 1955 until March 1966. It replaced the Silver Dawn and was, in turn, replaced by the Silver Shadow.

The design was a major change from the pre-war models and the highly derivative Silver Dawn. The main design work was by J. P. Blatchley.

The chassis was a simple steel box section, welded together and very rigid. Construction was still split into chassis and pressed steel and aluminium coachwork (unibody construction did not arrive until the Silver Shadow). The car was 5.38 m long, 1.90 m wide, and massed 1.95 tonnes. The engine was a 4.9 L six-cylinder unit with twin SU carburettors, the transmission a four-speed automatic. Brakes were hydraulic and assisted by the Rolls-Royce mechanical servo with 11 in (279.4 mm) drums and suspension was independent coils at the front and semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Power steering became an option in 1956 along with air conditioning.

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

Manufacturer Rolls-Royce Ltd
Production 1955-1966
7,372 produced
Assembly Crewe, England
Predecessor Silver Dawn
Successor Silver Shadow
Body style(s) 4-door sedan; 2-door convertible; 2-door coupe
Layout FR layout
Engine(s) 4.9 L I6; 6.2 L Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission(s) 4-speed automatic

First generation

Production 1955-1958
Engine(s) 4.9 L I6
Wheelbase 123 in (3124.2 mm) (short wheel base)
Length 212 in (5384.8 mm)
Width 74.75 in (1898.7 mm)
Height 64 in (1625.6 mm)

Second generation

Production 1959-1962
Engine(s) 6.2 L Rolls-Royce V8
Wheelbase 123 in (3124.2 mm) (short wheel base)
Length 212 in (5384.8 mm)
Width 74.75 in (1898.7 mm)
Height 64 in (1625.6 mm)


Third generation

Production 1963-1966
Engine(s) 6.2 L Rolls-Royce V8