This is a beautiful 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Saloon that is a true two-owner car with 58,000 miles from new and is a fantastic survivor. With its original paint, including its original pinstriping, this would be a very competitive entrant in a Preservation Class at most national concours events. Specifically ordered for US delivery, this Rolls was specified and built to be used for continental touring. As such, its original owner ordered her with a gorgeous complete set of six matching suitcases, which are still with it today. This Rolls has a fantastic provenance that includes an incredible history and is well documented.
This Rolls was custom ordered by its original owners and was shipped from the factory to New York via the ship ‘Parthia’ on August 26, 1960. She was a gift from Dr. Leon Hermann to his wife Helen “Elena” Aregento Hermann and was delivered to their home in Riverdale, NY on September 24, 1960. Elena enjoyed the Rolls in New York until her husband passed shortly after its purchase. She then shipped the Rolls to their home in Paris, France, where it remained until the 1980s. Elena's stepdaughter, Francoise Hermann, inherited the Rolls and brought her back to the U.S. to use at her Falmouth, MA estate until her death in 2003. We are selling the Rolls on behalf of the estate of its owner, a longtime and well respected member of the RROC. He acquired her in December of 2003 and has continued its proper maintenance.
Included in the history file for the Rolls are original photos capturing Elena with the Rolls in front of her NY home, along with photos of Elena and Francoise with the Rolls in Paris. This Rolls comes complete with its original gorgeous complete set of six matching suitcases as listed on the purchase invoice. The suitcases include the original keys and are covered with various voyage tags documenting their travels. Up until its current owner, she has been driven by only four people: Elena, a chauffeur in Paris, a chauffeur in the U.S., and Francoise’s attorney, Charles Dodson. This is a wonderful driving Rolls that has been enjoyed and kept in very nice original condition overall.
Her livery is stunning in her original paint specified as Ivory (Paint Code 5301) and Black Masons (Paint Code 501) with its original factory pinstriping intact. The paint has brilliant depth and shine, as you would expect from a chauffeur-maintained 58,000 mile example. The chrome and stainless steel trim are overall in nice condition with only minor scratching and small dents on the bumper and bumper over-riders.
The interior is overall very nice with its original Beige Leather (VM 3234) being professionally replaced by its present owner. The Beige carpeting and replacement Brown mouton sheepskin overlays are all in very nice condition. The overlays are in both the front and rear passenger compartments. The wood is presentable and has a consistent patina like the rest of the Rolls. The gauges and controls are all in working order including the power windows.
The heart of the Silver Cloud II is its venerable 6.2 liter V8 and robust drivetrain, a first for Rolls-Royce. The engine runs very well with excellent power. The very clean and original engine compartment confirms that she has been well maintained and loved since new. The brake system was refurbished by Silver Cloud expert, Don Clark right after the current owner’s purchase and are still functioning properly. This Silver Cloud drives very well and has been well cared for through the years. The automatic transmission works well and shifts smoothly. This Silver Cloud benefits from its factory power steering, which makes driving effortless. We love the comfort and feel while driving.
Included in the sale are the original set of six matching suitcases listed on the invoice with their keys, spare, lug wrench, jack, tire pump, flashlight, and all the small and large tools. Also included is a car cover and the original handbook and two supplemental service documents for use in the US and France. The history file is complete with many years of extensive service records, factory build sheets, original sales invoice, photographs and much more. All the acquired photos and documented history makes her extra special.
For more details and information, please text, call or email Tina Smith at +1.602.730-1244 or sales@classicpromenade.com. The Rolls is in our Phoenix showroom.