As Rolls-Royce merged the formerly independent coachbuilders H.J. Mulliner and Park Ward under its own umbrella in the early 1960s, it began to explore the possibilities of what the new firm could create. Since 1959, Mulliner had been producing Drophead Coupe Adaptations, a catalogued convertible model built by heavily modifying Rolls-Royce’s “Standard Steel Saloon” body shells, on the Silver Cloud chassis. Early in Silver Cloud III production, this design was retired in favor of literally a new line, drawn by Vilhelm Koren and featuring an aggressively modern character, with smooth slab sides, flared and crisp-edged rear fenders, and angled quad headlights. It was a relatively lightweight body, ensuring maximum performance from its V-8 chassis, and while initially controversial among the hidebound Rolls-Royce clientele, soon acquired a major following and saw 101 examples produced, 52 of them on left-hand-drive chassis.

The drophead coupe offered here, chassis number LCSC129B, is an original US-delivery, left-hand-drive example, supplied in September 1965 to successful Syracuse-area foreign car dealer Donald A. Cain at his lake home in Skaneateles, New York. Build records indicate that it was originally finished in Porcelain White with a white top and two-tone black and white leather interior, which must have been a striking combination. Later owners included Rolls-Royce Owners Club member Alan Florin of Woodmere, New York, and the Minneapolis banker and renowned automobile enthusiast Andrew Darling, whose small, select collection included both outstanding Antique Automobile Club of America Full Classics and modern coachbuilt Rolls-Royces. Mr. Darling was a well-known figure in Midwestern vintage car circles, as well as in his hometown, where he could often be seen driving his prized possessions with his beloved dog as a passenger. By his ownership, the car had been refinished to its present livery, black with a matching interior piped in red.

Following Mr. Darling’s passing, his collection was sold at a well-remembered Sotheby’s auction in New York City in 1996. His Silver Cloud III has been preserved in older restored condition, with some signs of age visible throughout, in particular to the paint and interior, and is fitted with an upgraded JVC sound system.

This is an elegant example of one of the most interesting modern Rolls-Royces, a coachbuilt drophead of tremendous character and with excellent provenance. It needs only a faithful canine to be enjoyed in the best Darling tradition.