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1962

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

The last of the stately, separate-chassis Rolls-Royces.

SCL 362
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III
Photo: Spurzem - Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

The Silver Cloud is what most people picture when they think of a Rolls-Royce: tall, flowing and unhurried. The Series III added twin headlamps and a little more power. There was a near-identical Bentley, the S3.

Inside

Hand-fitted walnut, leather from the finest hides, deep carpets and folding tables for the rear passengers.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Shell Grey
Did you know?

The body sits on a separate steel chassis, which let coachbuilders fit their own special bodies.

Meanwhile, in 1962

The Beatles released Love Me Do, and the first James Bond film, Dr No, reached cinemas.

Best-selling single of 1962: I Remember You by Frank Ifield

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1960s car

  • Check the sills, floorpans, wheel arches and the bottom of the doors for rust.
  • Ask for any old MOT certificates, service records and bills.
  • Parts for popular cars are often available from specialists, but trim and body panels can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 020406080100120140 MPH
115 mph
First builtOctober 1962
Age today64 years since launch
Built atCrewe, Cheshire
On sale1962–1966
Years in production4 years
Number madeAbout 2,500
Kerb weight2,100 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy14 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine6.2-litre V8
Power220 bhp (estimated; never officially stated)
Top speed115 mph
Speed rankingJoint 96th fastest of 164
0–60 mph10.8 seconds
Price when newAbout £5,500
In today's moneyAbout £152,000
Designed byJohn Blatchley

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.