By 1959, Rolls-Royce had discovered that as smooth, silent, and Swiss-watch-reliable as its inline six-cylinder engine really was, the great mill was at the end of its lifespan. Accordingly, the company replaced its original Silver Cloud model with the Silver Cloud II. Under the hood of this new offering was a 380-cubic inch V-8 engine, which was built to a sophisticated design by using numerous lightweight components. It was mated to a smooth-shifting automatic transmission and came with power brakes, power-assisted steering, a radio, whitewall tires, and updated climate-control systems.

The SCII, as it is known to enthusiasts, was in production for four years. Scarcest were the long-wheelbase models—measuring 127 inches between the axles—which were fitted with an extended version of the factory “steel saloon” bodywork, offering additional legroom to the rear compartment. Of the 2,717 Silver Cloud II chassis produced, only 299 were the long-wheelbase version, making them one of the rarest Rolls-Royces models of their era.

The car offered here, chassis number LLCA49, is a very rare factory left-hand-drive model that had been built to U.S. specifications with Frigette air conditioning to the rear compartment, power-operated windows, an AM radio, and lamb’s wool rugs, and it is believed to have been built for dealer inventory. Its present owner states that he acquired it from the original owner well over 20 years ago. In his ownership, the car was refinished in Sand and Sable, a popular two-tone combination of the era and a correct one for the Silver Cloud II. The interior was upholstered in proper Biscuit Tan leather, which complemented the rich walnut dashboard with proper Smiths metric gauges and folding tables. Original build sheets, copies of which have been acquired from the Rolls-Royce Foundation and are on file, note that the car was originally specified with a division window, a feature that was changed later.

Overall, the Rolls-Royce’s paintwork shows much rich patina, while the interior is still in very good condition, with tight upholstery and well-preserved trim throughout. The car recorded 98,191 kilometers on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, which is consistent with the appearance of the chassis and underbody, as they are well used but appear solid.

A thorough inspection and sorting would make this a fine and elegant driver for the new owner of this rare long-wheelbase Silver Cloud II, which embodies the marque at the height of its elegance.