The big story Big Rollers are Bentleys are still big business
The R-R Silver Cloud and – its Bentley sibling – offers serious luxury at reasonable prices
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-series have never fallen out of favour, even when they were replaced by the Silver Shadow and T-series.
They remained popular well into the mid-1970s, not only with old money (who found the Shadow a touch too modern and, rather too accessible to new money), but also with showbiz personalities keen to buy for far less than a new XJ6.
The dark days for the model – the mid- to late-1970s – saw many falling into serious disrepair, with many being broken up when keen owners with slim wallets realised that putting right rotten sills and tired brakes was beyond their financial reach.
Into the 2000s and these cars’ classic status was firmly entrenched, with more and more enthusiasts seduced by the wonderfully flowing lines and sumptuous, yet not over-the-top interior.
The latter half of 2017 has seen a few coming to auction. They’re not as cheap as Silver Shadows, but can still be bought for sensible money.
Silverstone Auctions proved the point in July when
it sold a Condition 2 1961 S2 for £24,750, and Historics followed suit with a 1962 S2 making £28,000.
Into September, it was the Silver Cloud to the fore when Historics’ 1961 model made a strong £48,160. An intriguing car came courtesy of Bonhams at its Beaulieu Autojumble sale, where a 1956 model stored
from 1978 to 2015 sold for £10,350. Said to need full restoration but accompanied by some paperwork, it was an interesting offering worthy of saving rather than breaking.
One month later and Brightwells’ 140,000-mile 1956 S1 was just £100 cheaper than the Bonhams’ car. It had a seriously comprehensive history, with much recent work carried out and was said to drive well. Micro-blistered paint aside, it looked good enough from as a distance. A highly tempting offering, it made £10,250.
Historics was back in September with a Condition 2 1965 S3 that made a healthy £38,080 – the same sale
also saw a 1964 Silver Cloud off at £32,480.
Combining elegance and gravitas in a way later models never captured, these cars can represent great value for money. As always, seek expert advice to make sure that you know what you’re buying – buy well and they’re a joy. Buy badly and they can be a heart-breaking money pit.