This is a rare and beautiful example of the elegant Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III LWB Limousine with division that features a glass partition separating the front and rear passenger compartments. One of 253 produced between 1962 and 1965. This Silver Cloud III LWB, Chassis Number: CEL89 is all original, factory-issued components and matching numbers. The drive configuration is Right-Hand Drive (RHD).
Finished in the complementary colour of Burgundy (ICI M062-4143), with a single hand painted Gold pinstripe. The body colour Burgundy (ICI M062-4143) would later be available as a colour option from August 1966 till 1980. The interior is matched with Black hides with black piping, Gray headcloth and Black carpet.
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 the rear compartment. Speaker only in the front compartment. Loudspeakers for the rear compartment in the cocktail cabinet.
- Pencil beam lamps with separate switch for each rear passenger.
- Ashtrays in both rear doors.
- Sundym glass to rear windows and rear quarter windows.
- Auxiliary petrol tank a long range.
- Locking hubcaps.
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. Commissioned by Brian Epstein for NEMS Enterprises Limited in late 1964 and accepted by Rolls-Royce on January 01, 1965.
NEMS Enterprises Limited, founded and managed by Brian Epstein (1934–1967), was formed on June 26, 1962, in Liverpool, England and moved from Liverpool to London in 1964. Originally a Liverpool music store (North End Music Stores) 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.
The directors were Brian and his brother Clive. The shares of NEMS Enterprises were split as followed:
| Brian Epstein | 70% |
| Clive Epstein | 20% |
| John Lennon | 2.5% |
| Paul McCartney | 2.5% |
| George Harrison | 2.5% |
| Ringo Starr | 2.5% |
CEL89 was delivered in May 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 special bespoke options were an auxiliary petrol tank to allow CEL89 to travel the 322 kilometers from Liverpool to EMI Studios (Abbey Road Studios) in London non-stop. First year available from Rolls-Royce, locking hubcaps make a good option to keep overzealous fans from a cool keepsake. The rear Sundym glass kept privacy for any of the rear passengers. The bespoke exterior colour was the same colour used by the Buckingham Palace Royal Vehicles; and with dark Sundym windows worked wonders with the police according to their chauffeur.
During this year, The Beatles recorded and released their sixth studio album, “Rubber Soul,” as well as the album “Help!” and the single “Ticket to Ride”. They also recorded “We Can Work It Out” and “Day Tripper”, which were released as a double A-side single. Additionally, they recorded material for the North American release “Beatles VI”. “Rubber Soul” is considered a pivotal moment in rock music, marking a transition from pop to rock and showcasing the Beatles’ creative growth. The Rubber Soul album features Drive My Car, as the opening track.
With the rapid success of the group, each 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, John Lennon told the story about ordering his Rolls-Royce, He went with the Phantom V to up-stage Epstein and his Silver Cloud. Lennon took delivered of his 1965 “valentine black” Phantom V in June 1965. The Beatles were named Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on October 26, 1965. The Beatles used Lennon’s Phantom to the award ceremony held at Buckingham Palace, where they received their MBEs from Queen Elizabeth II. This vehicle would late become his famous ‘psychedelic’ Phantom.
After Epstein death in 1967 and 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 (1937-2023) 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.
During filming of H.R. Pufnstuf, Jack Wild (1952-2006) an English actor and singer who played Jimmy recalls in his biography. “Cruising through Hollywood in a burgundy Rolls Royce that used to belong to Ringo Starr, the window down, polaroid sunglasses on, cigarette in hand, I thought, for goodness’ sake. I’ve definitely made it now”. Wild continues, “We’re driving down Sunset boulevard when Marty Krofft said, “Hey Jack, looked at that”. I looked up at this giant Billboard which shouted it down; “Hollywood welcomes Jack Wild”. I couldn’t believe it”. Wild, now 16 signed the deal for one-million dollars for the role of Jimmy and only a few months earlier, he had been nominated for best supporting actor for the role of Artful Dodger in the 1969 Academy award-winning movie Oliver.
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 while 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 double checked 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 remains popular to this day.
In 1998, the car was sold by Krofft to a collector and shipped to Liverpool. Shortly after the car’s arrival in Liverpool, CEL89 was bought for the current collection and shipped back to the United States in January 1999. The car has been part of a private collection for the past 26-years.
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.
Current Condition (2025)
The vehicle had begun a restoration. The exterior paint had been complete with the exception of the Gold hand painted pinstripe. 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. Please contact concerning any recent condition changes.
Gallery
