1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupé by H.J. Mulliner (Design 7504)
- Engine
- Inline six-cylinder F-head, 8:1 compression ratio, paired with GM Hydra-Matic automatic transmission
- Colour
- 'Morris Beige' (butterscotch)
Chassis LSMH21 is one of only 13 examples of the H.J. Mulliner Design 7504 'Adaptation', a bespoke two-door drophead coupé conversion of the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I standard saloon, of which just ten were built in left-hand drive for the North American market — this being the fourth completed. Commissioned by George Baekeland of Connecticut and later held by RROC president Ted Mintz, the car subsequently entered the Blackhawk Collection. It retains its original engine, gearbox, and numerous period accessories.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$445,000
- 1976 →Acquisition unknownTed Mintzpartial documentation
Former president of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club, also Connecticut-based; actively used the car at RROC gatherings and events during the late 1970s and 1980s, accumulating multiple awards.
- Date unknownFactory deliveryGeorge Baekelandfull documentation
First owner, based in Southport, Connecticut; ordered the car with highly specific bespoke details documented across a full page of order specifications. His father Leo Baekeland invented the synthetic plastic Bakelite.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Prominent collector institution based in Danville, California; the car joined this well-known collection after Mintz's ownership.
Competition
- —Rolls-Royce Owners' ClubRROC events and concours meetsMultiple awards
Exhibited at various club gatherings and judged events during the late 1970s through the 1980s under Ted Mintz's ownership, earning numerous awards.
Maintenance & restoration
- —BodyworkVantage Motorworks
Interior re-trimmed in original beige Connolly leather by marque specialists, restoring the cabin to its as-delivered specification.
- —Modification
Period-correct R12 Chrysler AirTemp boot-mounted air-conditioning unit fitted by marque specialists.
Described as an aftermarket addition but considered correct for the model and market.
- —Bodywork
Full bare-metal respray in original 'Morris Beige' colour carried out approximately four years prior to cataloguing; all major chrome components were re-plated to concours standard at the same time.
- —Mechanical
Various mechanical and ancillary items renewed, including leather spring gaiters, exhaust system, auxiliary electric radiator fan, electronic ignition conversion, and new Firestone Deluxe Champion whitewall tyres.
Work described as recent at time of cataloguing.
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