Silver Cloud
(1955-1959)
Engine: 6 Cylinder
Bore: 3 3/4" (95mm)
Stroke: 4 1/2 (114mm)
Capacity: 298.2 cu.ins (4887c.c.)
Compression Ratio:6.6 : I
Firing Order: 1, 4, 2, 6, 3, 5
Tappet clearance: Inlet .006"(cold)(.15 m/m).Exhaust .912 (cold)(.3 m/m)
Contact breaker gap: .019"-.021" (.45m/m-.55m/m)
Sparking plug: Lodge
CLNP or Champion N8BR (14m/m)
Sparking plug gap: .025"(.65m/m)
Oil sump capacity: 16 pints
Coolant capacity: (Engine and Radiator) 3 1/2 Gallons, Imperial
Gearbox
Rolls-Royce automatic type, incorporating four forward speeds and reverse with over-riding hand and "kick-down" change speed control.
Overall gear ratios: 1st speed: 13.06 : 1
2nd speed: 9.00 : 1
3rd speed: 4.96 : 1
4th speed (direct): 3.42 : 1
Reverse: 14.72 : 1
Rear Axle: Semi-floating type,hypoid bevel drive.
Ratio: 12/41 (3.42 : 1
Oil capacity: 1 1/2 pints
Brakes: Servo assisied hydrostatic brakes, hydraulic operation on front wheels,hydraulic and mechanical operation on rear wheels.
Handbrake operates on rear wheels
Self adjusting hydraulic brakes on the front wheels only.
Steering: Cam-and-roller type
Suspension: Independent front wheel suspension incorporating coil springs,hydraulic shock dampers and torsion rod stabiliser
Rear suspension by semi-elliptic springs in combination with controllable hydraulic shock dampers. An axel control rod is fitted which, together with the road springs, takes the torque and brake reaction.
Tyres: 8.20" X 15"
Unlike it's predecessors the Silver Cloud chassis frame was of welded box section
Rolls-Royce chose April 1955 in which to publicise their new models. the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was replaced by the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and the Bentley S by the Bentley R.
Like their predecessors which
had only differed in outward appearance in their radiators and badging,
the new models were essentially the same. The similarity went further than
hitherto, however, because for the first time there were no
differences technically.
The unit construction of chassis and coachwork, instead of being separate body and frame was by this time accepted by almost every other manufacturer. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S were exceptions, because they still had a separate, massive frame. Rolls-Royce had invested a huge amount of money in the development of the chassis and had achieved a rigidity which was 50 per cent higher than in the previous model.
Privately the Company was
concerned that the severe corrosion they had experienced on their Standard
Steel models might indicate a less than acceptable life expectancy of a
chassis-less product. A unit-construction Rolls-Royce, whose vital structures
shortened the car's life as a result of rusting, would damage the reputation
of the company's products in a way that would be difficult to remedy.
The chief designer, J P Blatchley, had tailored a body with very attractive lines for the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and its sister model the Bentley S type. It was produced as a standard body by Pressed Steel and was attached to the chassis at Rolls-Royce where it was finished. Four doors eased access; they were made of aluminium which was also the material for the divided bonnet parts and the boot lid above the spacious luggage compartment.
From the very beginning an automatic gearbox, the four speed unit, was standard for the Silver Cloud and S-type. To special order, a car could be fitted with a manual gear change. This was requested only rarely, and from 1957 onward a manual gearbox was no longer offered. The optional extra most often requested was power steering.
An early Silver Cloud alongside a Rolls-Royce 'Avon' -powered Comet 4 jet airliner
Freestone & Webb built fewer bodies than the other main coachbuilders, and produced
more one off designs, of which this six-light saloon is one.