Rolls-Royce’s first production V-8 engine was introduced with the second series of the eminent Silver Cloud, mated to a General Motors-produced Hydramatic automatic transmission and supplying enough power for a top speed of 112.3 mph and acceleration from 0–60 mph in 10.9 seconds.

Esteemed British coachbuilder James Young produced 37 coachbuilt bodies for the Silver Cloud II. Only three left-hand-drive examples were to this design, number SCT100, a saloon or “touring limousine” with large rear pillars, providing more privacy to the rear seat passengers, and a well-balanced overall shape with contemporary rear end styling, strongly influenced by Young’s design number PV22 on the spectacular Phantom V. In fact, this design was frequently known as the ‘Baby Phantom.’

Chassis no. LLCC2’s first owner, Alan P.L. Prest Sr., was a retired partner in Price Waterhouse & Company, and a car enthusiast whose collection included a 1930 Phantom I, as well. He special-ordered the car with appropriate attention to detail, including Rolls-Royce’s new York air conditioning system, a Motorola radio with power antenna, rear seat reading lamps, his family crest applied to the rear doors, and a unique luggage rack fitted over the rear deck, while the car is also equipped with a modern radio.

Mr. Prest and his wife, Naomi, traveled from their home in Connecticut to England, taking delivery of the Silver Cloud II in its home country on 8 January 1961. They then embarked upon a six-month continental tour with the car, after which it was shipped after them to New York, aboard HMS Assyria, arriving home on 10 June 1961, to be driven to the Prest estate in Darien.

Originally Pacific Green with a beige leather interior, it is now presented in the era-correct Rolls-Royce livery of shimmering Sable over Masons Black, with fine red coach lining; the interior is still luxuriously trimmed in the finest walnut veneers, and, in keeping with the car’s fine preservation, retains its original tan Connolly hides, in remarkable condition, as well as fitted Cumberland Stone Wilton wool carpets with Sable mouton overlays. Lucas P100 headlamps were installed in the mid-1970s, and add an especially elegant Classic Era note to the styling.

The rare Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud coachbuilt cars, like chassis no. LLCC2, whether in motion or displayed on the concours field, offers the best of all car worlds: timeless design, superior quality, and enduring value. Perhaps this car’s best use, however, would be for a grand tour, in the tradition of Mr. and Mrs. Prest back in 1961.