Home»All Photographs»Automobiles As Art 1950s (free downloads)»1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 1

These photos of a 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 1 were taken at Blackhawk Automotive Museum.

"The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I is a very interesting automobile to discuss," states an interpretive display at Danville, Calif.-based Blackhawk Automotive Museum, where this car was photographed. (Please note that Blackhawk's featured cars do change.)

"For one, the Silver Cloud I is the exact same machine as a Bentley S aside from the design of the radiator," Blackhawk notes.

"Both automobiles featured a chassis frame of welded box section ~ a first for the manufacturer, and a longer wheelbase."

This resulted in an overall increase in size that featured a roomy and much more comfortable interior.

These elements were essential for Rolls-Royce because its cars were known for their elegance and comfortable ride.

"Amenities included folding tables in the backs of the front seats, vanity mirrors in the rear, leather hand grips, cigar lighters and ashtrays, Radiomobile push-button radio," Blackhawk stated.

This car also featured air conditioning and a state-of-the-art (at the time) ventilation and demisting system.

"This particular car is one of the most desirable of the Silver Clouds as it is an extremely rare left-hand drive version," Blackhawk noted. "Only 12 left-hand drive cars were built.

"It als has a custom body by H.J. Mulliner & Co. so it is actually quite different than a Bentley S in terms of coachwork."

The inline 6 engine featured a 3.75 bore and 4.5 stroke at 298 cubic inches. It boasted 155hp @ 4,000rpm.

The body/coachbuilder was H.J. Mulliner & Co. in London, England. The manufacturer was Rolls-Royce Ltd. of Crewe, England.