1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupé by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine
- 4.9L OHV inline-six, twin SU carburetors, 155 bhp at 4,000 rpm
- Colour
- Ming Blue with off-white hood
A Silver Cloud I Drophead Coupé with coachwork by H.J. Mulliner, chassis LSMH 245 is among only 11 left-hand drive examples produced to this configuration, out of a total run of 21 cars. Commissioned new in 1959 by S. Prestley Blake, founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation and a devoted collector of historic motorcars, the car was delivered to Massachusetts in March 1960 and remained in his care for over three decades before passing to the Yankee Candle Collection of Massachusetts. It has covered just over 38,300 miles across two owners, retaining largely original paintwork and documented factory specifications including Ming Blue coachwork and an off-white hide interior.
Ownership
- 2021-10-01Auction saleSold US$352,500
- 1960-03-01 →Factory deliveryS. Prestley Blakefull documentation
Founder of Friendly Ice Cream Corp and noted motoring enthusiast; took delivery in Longmeadow, Massachusetts after the completed car shipped from the factory in August 1959. Retained the car for over three decades.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownYankee Candle Collectionpartial documentation
Massachusetts-based collection that acquired the car from Blake; custodians at time of the auction consignment, having held the car for approximately 20 years.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The cabin trim was refinished at an undetermined point, replicating the original colour scheme, though the exterior paintwork is believed to be largely original.
No full restoration is believed to have been carried out; the interior refinish appears to be the only significant cosmetic intervention recorded.
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