Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I

Overview

Production1955-1958
2,238 produced

Body and chassis

Body style4-door saloon
variations provided by

coachbuilders were:
2-door convertible
2-door coupé (a small number of 4-door convertibles, hearses and station wagons were also built)
RelatedBentley S1
Powertrain
Engine4.9 L I6
TransmissionFour-speed automatic

Dimensions

Wheelbase123 in (3,124 mm) (short-wheelbase) [2][1]
127 in (3,226 mm) (long wheelbase, offered for 1957 and 1958 cars)
Length212 in (5,385 mm)
Width74.75 in (1,899 mm)
Height64 in (1,626 mm)

Construction was body-on-frame, which permitted special bodied versions, though the overwhelming majority were built with the standard Pressed Steel Company manufactured steel body shell. A light-weight aluminium-based alloy was used for doors, bonnet/hood and boot/trunk lid. The chassis was a simple steel box section, welded together and very rigid. The car was 5.38 m (212 in) long, 1.90 m (75 in) wide, and massed 1.95 tonnes. The engine was a 155 hp / 4000 rpm 4.9 L six-cylinder unit with inlet over exhaust valves: twin SU carburettors were added in September 1957. The standard transmission was a four-speed automatic. The turning circle was 41 feet 8 inches (12.70 m).

Brakes were hydraulic and assisted by the Rolls-Royce mechanical servo with 11 in (279 mm) drums and suspension was independent coils at the front and semi-elliptic springs at the rear. Twin brake master cylinders were incorporated from April 1956.

Power steering and air conditioning became available as options in 1956.

A long-wheelbase version lengthened by 4 in (102 mm) was also made available in September 1957, outwardly very similar to the existing car but offering improved leg space for rear-seat passengers.

The British Motor magazine tested a standard-wheelbase factory-bodied Series I in 1956 recording a top speed of 102.9 mph (165.6 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 13.5 seconds and a fuel consumption of 14.5 miles per imperial gallon (19.5 L/100 km; 12.1 mpg-US). The test car cost £5078 including taxes.

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