CLASSIC DRIVE: Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Coupe by James Young

Ever since the day I first laid my eyes on this very rare Rolls-Royce, I've wanted to get behind the wheel, dig my feet into the sheep wool carpets and take it up the Franschhoek mountain pass. 

Words and images: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

It makes quite a statement. This rare Rolls-Royce is one of only six (four RHD, and two LHD) that were bodied by coachbuilder James Young – and it is certainly the only one of its kind in South Africa. 

• Buy a scale model of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III Flying Spur here

Take a stroll around the car and it visually drips with style, class and elegance – from a time when touring to the south of France from Great Britain was seen as a necessary trip for the rich and famous.

The owner has previously shared the history of this car with us, which is quite interesting. When the opportunity presented itself to pilot this rare Rolls Royce, I didn’t think twice... 

Behind the wheel

Today, as I open the door, the luxurious interior is inviting to say the least. Even though it has been restored, you can still sense the classic nature of the car while the smell truly takes you back to the middle of the previous century – modern cars simply don’t smell like this anymore. It has, in several ways, subject to a "preservation" type of restoration as the seats have, for example, been restored from the back. This means the original leather has been used. 

Incidentally, because of the rarity of the car, the owner actually had a master technician from the UK on site to attend to this car and a couple of others in his collection. 

As I take my place behind the wheel, the seat (or more appropriately the couch?) is soft and sumptuous. The cabin is extremely spacious in all dimensions and even when I pull the front seat forward to experience, for a moment, what it's like in the rear, these quarters are just as comfortable. Needless to say, it would be a trip to remember if I could spend time here for a more extensive and indulgent journey. 

Back to the front quarters and in front of me is that classically thin-rimmed Rolls-Royce ‘wheel that you twirl with your fingertips. There are a number of beautiful analogue dials to look at and read. All touch points feel solid and sturdy, especially the moment you shut the door. 

Under the bonnet is a large 6.3-liter, V8 engine developing just under 150 kW and 470 Nm. Remember, back in the day Rolls-Royce was never eager to share the performance figures of their engines, seeing it as unnecessary. Being a car from the Sixties, it would be unkind to expect fireworks from this gentle giant. But what it does do exceedingly well is to waft along in utter comfort.

As the wheels start to turn the engine is only barely ticking over and those plumb tyres, together with the soft suspension, absorb the road irregularities with a very high level of sophistication. I’ll admit, with that long bonnet stretched out in front of you and the Spirit of Ecstasy at the end of the bonnet, above that large vertical grille, you feel like a head of state, a land lord or a Duke.

The owner admits that the transmission needs some attention, which is probably the reason it shifts marginally harder through the gears than what is ideal. Even so, gears are changed effortlessly and you can turn the steering wheel with two fingers if you wish to. This helps, as you are constantly aware of the size and weight of the car. At the same time you wouldn't expect it any other way, as that is part of the stately feeling and nature of the car. It is the torque of the engine that ushers the car along, again, at very low engine speeds – to this day a feature of Rolls Royce engines.

There is also very little road or drivetrain noise intrusion into the cabin. For such an old car the cabin is very quiet and I eagerly listened to the owner’s stories of this car and what he has done to it since acquiring it.

“I’ve had the car for about 15 years. It was restored in the UK and while the car was there, I did a trip to Scotland in it and also gave it a good shakedown through the English countryside. Once it was returned to South Africa, I drove from the Cape to Plettenberg Bay and also took it to the George Old Car Show.”

“I personally selected this exterior colour. Its original colour was Georgian Silver, now it is a slightly greener tint to that of the original colour.”

There are many stylish cars from the Sixties, whether from Ferrari, Mercedes or Jaguar. It is probably a decade that produced some of the most beautiful cars, in terms of design. That is true as so many manufacturers and retro car builders now base their designs on cars from this era. 

But, when it comes to the ultimate in terms of luxury and style, these Rolls-Royces are hard to beat – so much more so with the colourful history of coachbuilding attached to these models. 

Specifications:

1964 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III 2-dr Coupé

Engine: 6.3-litre, V8, petrol

Power: 149 kW at 4 000 rpm

Torque: 470 Nm at 2 500 rpm

Top speed: 187 kph 

0-100 km/h: 10.8 seconds

Gearbox: four-speed, automatic, RWD

Weight: 2 090 kg

Value: >R7 million