Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I (1955 – 1959) Review

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I (1955 – 1959) At A Glance

3/5

+Even better to drive than before thanks to power steering, elegant and timeless in saloon form

-Six-cylinder engine now feeling not-quite-up-to-the-job

The Silver Cloud was the beginning of a new era for Rolls-Royce when it was launched in 1955. Rolls-Royce started building its own bodies in-house, although many customers still preferred to have their favourite  coachbuilder construct something special.

But such was the elegance of the Cloud’s standard body that the majority of buyers never felt the need to shop elsewhere. The Silver Cloud was powered by Rolls-Royce's venerable straight-six, which had been enlarged to 4887cc. But it also gained improved brakes and front suspension, followed by optional power-steering in 1956, which really made these cars much better to drive, despite their hulking near-two tonne kerb weight. In addition to the standard 123in wheelbase cars, a 127in limousine was offered with bodywork by Park Ward.