Rare 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Mulliner Drophead Coupe

A rare 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II Mulliner Drophead Coupé, one of 107 Silver Cloud Drophead Coupé Adaptations by H. J. Mulliner (74 of which are left-hand drive), arriving at and leaving Peninsula Cars & Coffee at Promenade on the Peninsula, organized by the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance.

I remember when I first started intentionally spotting and photographing exotic cars as a UCLA student back in the mid 2000s, Silver Cloud convertibles were not particularly hard to find and I caught numerous examples ranging from those abandoned in storage yards to those chauffeuring wealthy occupants down picturesque boulevards. Then, over the past couple decades, nearly all those cars somehow disappeared. Maybe owners with good examples began seeing them more as classics and adding less miles to them. Or maybe the introduction of modern convertible Rolls-Royce models like the Phantom Drophead Coupe and the Dawn offered a more desirable way to look and feel rich. Well, Rolls-Royce's current lineup is once again devoid of an open-top model. And while that may be a missed opportunity for the premium luxury brand, it turns the spotlight back to classic convertible models like this gorgeous Cloud. Even though the big shiny grille and upright profile are unmistakably Rolls-Royce, the car's curvaceous bodywork clearly contrasts with the brand's modern boxy design language. Sure, it may not be nearly as powerful or luxurious as modern luxury cars. But with that beautiful coachbuilt bodywork that has stood the test of time, it's sure to command respect wherever it goes.

Do you prefer the Silver Cloud as a convertible or as a sedan? Leave a comment on YouTube and let me know!