1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud

When this majestic car left the factory in 1957 it was ‘Midnight Blue’ with a red hide interior, maroon carpets and ‘Fawn’ headlining.

Today, it is silver-over-grey, and the interior is as the original specification.

The current vendor bought the car in November 2022 and has used it on at least 20 occasions in the time-honoured way for Rolls-Royces of this era - weddings.

In 2012 the car’s 5-digit odometer read 96,657 miles. Today, the figure is 4,928 miles, so it’s reasonable to assume that the overall mileage is 104,928 miles.

We’re told that the vehicle was comprehensively restored at a cost of over £12,000 in 2017 (at which point it was repainted), and we understand that around £25,000 in total has been spent on it over the course of the last 7 or 8 years.

The car had its entire braking system stripped, overhauled and replaced as necessary in October 2022 at a cost of £1,600 in labour and £3,000 in parts (from Flying Spares). 

It has also had the exhaust system overhauled and replaced as necessary in May 2022 at a cost of £2,700. 

That said, the exhaust is currently blowing in a couple of places and the car would undoubtedly benefit from a good service and tune-up, not least because it’s been inactive for several months and requires some light recommissioning. It is currently suffering from a misfire.

The car has electric ‘flame-thrower’ ignition, new spark plugs, a new battery and fairly recent filters and fluids.

Overall, we think it is a couple of pretty basic mechanical jobs away from being a thoroughly sorted and usable example of the model and the marque.

The condition of the bodywork is really pretty good and there are no creases, dents, crumples or other aberrations of significance in evidence.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are mostly consistent and even, although the fuel filler flap doesn’t sit entirely flush with the bodywork

The wheels are in fine condition, as is the chrome, save for a little foxing on the front bumper and a small dink on its rear counterpart.  

From a few metres, the car’s silver-over-grey paintwork looks shiny, lustrous and really very good.

Get a little closer and a few minor issues begin to make themselves known.

There’s a little bubbling in evidence at the top of the n/s/f wing just ahead of the door. 

Other small outbreaks can be found beneath the windscreen, in the nearside sill, on the n/s/r wing, on the bodywork immediately behind the front bumper, and beneath the windows on all four doors. 

There is some micro-blistering to be found on the bonnet and, to a greater extent, on the roof.

The rear edge of the driver’s door has some paint missing. The door itself closes properly but isn’t entirely flush with the surrounding bodywork.

There’s some paint overspray, or possibly a little nascent bubbling, at the forward-facing aspect of the o/s/f wing.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings all seem to be broadly beyond reproach.

It’s a similar story on the inside, at least in the sense that while it’s all largely decent, there are some jobs to attend to. 

The red leather upholstery is generally fairly good, particularly when you consider that this vehicle is 67 years old. 

Yes, there’s some wear to the driver’s seat, but we’ve not seen any rips, tears or other damage elsewhere on the seats.

The door cards are in good condition.

A modern JVC head unit is concealed within the glove compartment.

The carpets are OK in places, less so in others, and decidedly threadbare here and there.

The headlining at the ‘C’ pillars is rather stained and mouldy, as is the fabric on the parcel shelf.

The wood veneers have held up fairly well overall, although there are some pieces missing in one or two places on the picnic tables and door cappings.

Some black paint has rubbed away around the ignition key-hole.

The boot looks very presentable and contains a spare wheel.

Everything in the engine bay appears clean, dry, right and proper. 

The undersides of the car look to have a good deal of structural integrity. 

Clearly, you’ll want to see for yourself and reach your own conclusion. 

This car comes with some invoices, bills and receipts covering its later life and accounting for the bulk of the expenditure above and beyond the £12,000 cost of the 2017 restoration.

The car also comes with copies of its original specification sheets, what looks to be an original owners’ manual, and a recent HPI report.

There are various invoices and bills attesting to some pretty expensive work recently carried out on the car’s exhaust and braking systems. 

Although the car needs a couple of jobs attending to, both mechanically and cosmetically, beyond those it appears to require little more than a good service and tune-up – and some regular use.

We think this is a fundamentally decent example of a very fine model and one that should provide its next owner with many years of pedigree classic motoring.

We’re confident to offer this fine car for auction with an estimate of £20,000 - £25,000. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.