Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
1962-1966 · Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III — Luxury Saloon, V8, designed by John Blatchley.
The Story
The 1962 Silver Cloud III was the final and most developed Cloud. Quad headlamps, a lower bonnet line and a more powerful 6.2-litre V8 modernised the look and the pace, while the cabin gained separate front seats and a more contemporary dash. It was the last of the separate-chassis Rolls-Royces before the monocoque Silver Shadow changed everything.
Its most coveted forms are the coachbuilt two-doors – especially the dramatic ‘Chinese Eye’ Mulliner Park Ward dropheads and coupes, with their distinctive slanted quad headlamps. These are among the most valuable post-war Rolls-Royces, and starred in films from Blowup (1966) to Shampoo (1975).
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Luxury Saloon class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
John Blatchley
John Polwhele Blatchley was Rolls-Royce/Bentley’s chief stylist from the late 1940s to 1969 — responsible for the standard-steel saloons, the celebrated R-Type Continental fastback (aerodynamics by Ivan Evernden) and, as his last design, the Silver Shadow/T-Series.
Studio Motors POV
The Silver Cloud III ‘Chinese Eye’ drophead is one of the most beautiful – and bankable – post-war Rolls-Royces; the standard saloon is a stately, affordable classic.
The Engine
Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Silver Cloud III
Worth Knowing About the Silver Cloud III
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1) The quad-headlamp 'Chinese Eye' Mulliner Park Ward two-doors are the most coveted Clouds – worth many times a standard saloon. 2) It was the last Rolls-Royce built on a separate chassis before the monocoque Silver Shadow. 3) Silver Cloud IIIs appeared in Antonioni's Blowup (1966) and in Shampoo (1975).
5 Fast Facts
- 1) 6.2L V8 with higher compression and larger carburettors. 2) 2,044 built, 1962-1966. 3) Quad headlamps and a lower bonnet. 4) ~115 mph. 5) The final separate-chassis Rolls-Royce.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
A favourite of 1960s celebrities and high society; the coachbuilt ‘Chinese Eye’ two-doors passed through many notable hands and onto film sets (Blowup, Shampoo).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The ‘Chinese Eye’ MPW dropheads and coupes are the grails; standard saloons are accessible. Quad-lamp cars are the most wanted. Rust and tired trim are the watchpoints.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
- Class
- Luxury Saloon
- Production years
- 1962-1966
- Units built
- 2,044
- Variants
- Long-wheelbase; Mulliner Park Ward dropheads & coupes
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- V8
- Engine family
- Rolls-Royce / Bentley L-Series 6¾ V8
- Displacement
- 6.2L (6,230 cc)
- Power
- 220 hp
- Torque
- lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 10.8 s
- Top speed
- 115 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 104 hp/tonne · 21.1 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic (GM Hydramatic)
- Drivetrain
- Rear-wheel drive · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 4650 lb
Questions
Silver Cloud III FAQ
What distinguishes the Silver Cloud III from earlier Cloud models?
The Silver Cloud III added quad headlamps, a lower bonnet line, and a higher-compression 6.2-litre V8 with larger carburettors. Separate front seats and a revised dashboard gave the interior a more contemporary feel.
Was the Silver Cloud III the last separate-chassis Rolls-Royce saloon?
Yes. The Silver Cloud III was the last Rolls-Royce saloon built on a separate chassis. The 1965 Silver Shadow introduced unitary monocoque construction, marking the end of an era stretching back to the Silver Ghost.
What is the Silver Cloud III Chinese Eye coupe?
Chinese Eye is the nickname for the Mulliner Park Ward two-door Silver Cloud III, distinguished by its slanted quad headlamps. These coachbuilt examples are the most coveted Clouds and command several times a standard saloon’s value.
How much is a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III worth today?
Standard Silver Cloud III saloons cluster around $81,000 on Classic.com averages, with notable Gooding results around $93,500. Chinese Eye Mulliner Park Ward two-door and drophead examples command considerably higher prices, often $200,000+.
How does the Silver Cloud III differ from the Silver Shadow?
The Silver Cloud III uses a traditional body-on-frame separate chassis. The 1965 Silver Shadow switched to a unitary monocoque with all-independent suspension and disc brakes, making it smaller outside but roomier inside.
The Rolls-Royce Lineup
Explore every Rolls-Royce
Silver Wraith ’46Silver Dawn ’49
Phantom IV ’50Silver Cloud I ’55Phantom V ’59Silver Cloud II ’59
Silver Cloud III ’62Silver Shadow I ’65Phantom VI ’68
Corniche (1971) ’71Camargue ’75Silver Shadow II ’77
Silver Spirit / Silver Spur ’80
Corniche (2000) ’00Phantom VII ’03Ghost (1st Gen) ’09
Wraith ’13Dawn ’15Phantom VIII ’17Sweptail ’17Cullinan ’18
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