This well-documented three-time celebrity owner Rolls-Royce is a rare and beautiful example of the elegant Silver Cloud III LWB Limousine with permanent factory division that features a glass partition separating the front and rear passenger compartments. There were 253 long-wheelbase (LWB) Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III produced, of those only 50 had the division window.
This Silver Cloud III LWB, Chassis Number CEL89 is 1 of 50 produced. All original, factory-issued components and matching numbers. The drive configuration is Right-Hand Drive (RHD). Finished in the complementary colour scheme of Burgundy matched with Black hides with black piping, Gray headcloth and Black carpet. CEL89 is a bespoke build with special details as described on the Rolls Royce factory order sheet. Ordered by Brian Epstein for NEMS Enterprises in 1964.
Bespoke build includes.
- Rolls Royce electric windows
- Combined parking and blinking lights above each door pillar.
- Fully automatic electric aerial.
- Radio and rear compartment.
- Radio is to be fitted in the center cabinet in rear compartment. Speaker only in the front compartment. Loudspeakers for rear compartment in cocktail cabinet.
- Pencil beam lamps with separate switch for each rear passenger.
- Sundym glass to rear windows and rear quarter windows.
- Auxiliary petrol tank a long range
Celebrity Owners
- Brian Epstein: Music entrepreneur who managed The Beatles
- Ringo Starr: Musician and songwriter who gained international fame as the drummer for The Beatles
- Marty and Sid Krofft: Television and film Producers who gained international fame with Land of the Lost and H.R. Pufnstuf
As The Beatles’ first official company car, this Silver Cloud III holds a unique place in music history. It symbolizes the band’s transition from local fame to international stardom and reflects the bespoke luxury associated with their image during the height of Beatlemania. The vehicle was used to transport the band members to various events, recording sessions, and public appearances, becoming an integral part of their daily lives during this period.
Brian Epstein, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney arriving back at Heathrow.
Celebrity Owner History
The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III LWB Limousine known as CEL89 is a bespoke build with special details as described on the Rolls Royce factory order sheet. Ordered by Brian Epstein for NEMS Enterprises in 1964 just after The Beatles music group return to the U.K from America.
NEMS Enterprises was headquartered in London, founded and managed by Brian Epstein (1934–1967). Originally a Liverpool music store (North End Music Stores Enterprises) it evolved into a British artist management and music promotion company that would take care of the artists signed under their management. Clients included: Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, The Fourmost, The Cyrkle (U.S.-based) and The Beatles, the company’s most famous clients. Epstein played a critical role in their rise to global stardom and is often referred to as the “Fifth Beatle” due to his deep influence on the band’s career and image. Epstein managed them from 1962 until his death in 1967.
CEL89 was delivered in 1965 from the Rolls Royce factory to R.S. Mead Ltd. in Maidenhead, England and would become the first Rolls-Royce for the Beatles use. The bespoke exterior colour was the same colour used by the Buckingham Palace Royal Vehicles, with dark windows it worked wonders with the police according to their chauffeur.
With the rapid success of a group, each of the member could afford their own, Brian Epstein would retain CEL89 for his use. John Lennon specifically bought a 1965 Phantom V because of the Phantom’s prestige over the Silver Cloud Lennon stated. In a Rolling Stone interview with John Lennon, he told the story about ordering his Rolls-Royce, He went with the Phantom V to up-stage Epstein and his Silver Cloud. This 1965 Phantom V would late become his famous ‘psychedelic’ Phantom.
After the dissolution of Epstein’s management role and changes at NEMS Enterprises, Ringo Starr took personal ownership of CEL89. He imported the car to Los Angeles, where he lived part-time. The vehicle was seen in use by Starr in Hollywood and Beverly Hills, often used as a private, chauffeur-driven car.
In 1969, Starr sold the car to his neighbor Marty Krofft who used it as his company car for Sid and Marty Krofft Productions in Hollywood, creators of Land of the Lost and H.R. Pufnstuf among other children’s television and film productions from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Critics of “H.R. Pufnstuf” claim the show had a recreational drug aura about it. Marty Krofft flatly rejects that as untrue. He suggests it was the show’s surreal and brightly colored look, in an era marked by hallucinogenic imagery, that prompted such speculation. Another stubborn idea, that the initials “H.R.” signified hand-rolled (as in marijuana joint), was also misguided, according to Krofft: They stood for Royal Highness, backward, he said.
The Beatles, themselves were among those who found the show intriguing wile fending off claims that their 1967 song “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” was a veiled reference to LSD. Brian Epstein, called to request that copies of the show be mailed to them in England, Krofft said, a request that was doublechecked when Ringo Starr become his neighbor in Los Angeles. Starr in turn had a question for Sid Krofft, according to Marty: “How many drugs did you do?” the Beatle inquired. Again, Marty Krofft adds, the answer was none. “H.R. Pufnstuf” was a hit when it originally aired, and it remained popular to this day.
In 1998, the car was sold and shipped to London. Just after the car’s arrival in London, CEL89 was bought for the current collection and shipped back to the United States in January 1999 where it remains to this day.
Condition
Most recently the vehicle began a restoration. The exterior paint had been complete. The upholstery is original, including the hides, headcloth, carpet, and wood. The interior and boot should be finished off to bring to a concours condition. Mechanically the vehicle just completed a full service and runs out strong. Everything operates as it should.
Overview
As The Beatles’ first official company car, this Silver Cloud III holds a unique place in music history. It symbolizes the band’s transition from local fame to international stardom and reflects the bespoke luxury associated with their image during the height of Beatlemania. The vehicle was used to transport the band members to various events, recording sessions, and public appearances, becoming an integral part of their daily lives during this period.
Gallery
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