1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II ‘Adaption’ drophead coupé that crossed the Atlantic on HMS Queen Elizabeth and was designed with drinkers in mind to be auctioned
Our final pick from tomorrow’s RM Sotheby’s 28th January Arizona sale is a 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II ‘Adaption’ drophead coupé by H. J. Mulliner.
Offered with a guide of £279,000 to £331,000 ($400,000 to $475,000, €368,000 to €437,000) is the very last of the 107 ‘Adaption’s’ made and was ordered new by Boyd Calhoun Hipp I (1922 – 1976) of Greenville, South Carolina, a decorated Second World War hero who went on to become a leader in the insurance, finance, and television broadcasting industries.
Delivered to Mr Calhoun Hipp I in England in September 1962, the American specification, left-hand drive Rolls-Royce accompanied him home to New York aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. It features Perspex sun visors, a fitted locker with an ice thermos in the left-hand door pocket, a fitted cocktail bar with three spirit flasks and six tumblers in the backs of the front seats and removable “toadstool” cushions that affix to the rear bumpers to provide seating for “tailgate dining”.
The car was last sold by RM Sotheby’s at Villa Erba for £284,000 ($407,000 or €375,000) in May 2015 and is described as “the ultimate Rolls-Royce convertible”.
Update 31st January 2016: Sold for £270,000 ($385,000 or €355,000). Down 5% on 2015 price.
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