Highlights
- Over £10,000 in the current 3-year ownership
- Excellent and rare specification
- Recently mechanically recommissioned
- Refurbished wooden veneers
The Appeal
Opulence is something few get to experience to this degree. The Silver Shadow was designed as a replacement for the somewhat aged design of the Silver Cloud in the mid-60’s, and was the first from the automakers to feature a completely monocoque design incorporating fully independent, self-levelling hydraulic suspension. Quite the marvel of engineering from the luxurious firm.
As you’d expect, these lavish saloons are becoming rather desirable as few are kept in such fantastic condition - the Silver Shadow is quickly becoming quite the collectors piece as it was the car to put Rolls Royce back on the top of the ladder for transporting the wealthy in hushed splendour. Living up to Rolls-Royce’s title, this was once again, the “Best car in the world”.
This handsome example was purchased by the current owner around three years ago, and has had over £10,000 spent on it to get it to the stunning condition it is presented in today. A previous owner had an extensive mechanical recommissioning, a professional respray, and the wooden veneer entirely refurbished - there are some rather expensive items among the paperwork pile. The unfortunate sale of the vehicle has only been pushed by a work-related relocation, where the storage space lacks the room for a fully sorted roller.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered on the 1st of March 1976
- Complete vehicle respray within the last 10 years with a previous keeper
- Hand-painted double coach lines
- Mechanical recommissioning under the previous keepers ownership
- The current keeper has owned the car for the last three years
- Double coach lines added to the vehicle paintwork and wheels in the last two years
- V5C remains present and correct, ready for transfer of ownership
- MOT and tax exempt, however the vehicle holds a fresh MOT until September 2024
- Registered as a historic vehicle
- Excellent paperwork pile, with invoices from previously undertaken work
- A build sheet outlining the recent work undertaken as well as the cost of work (with an eye-watering total)
The Interior
- Tan leather upholstery
- Deep red carpets with tan piping
- Fully functional electronics
- Wooden veneers recently refurbished and in excellent condition
- Wonderful originality
Incomparable, comes to mind. The interior of these Silver Shadows showcase such luxury and quality that even by today's standards they truly are something to behold with many features that high-end flagship vehicles live without, and will continue to do so.
Beautifully presented throughout. Upon opening the driver door you’re immediately welcomed with the sense of sheer royalty - excellently presented tan leather upholstery on the seats with very little signs of use or age. All of the stitching appears well kept, too. Just ahead of the driver position, the original steering wheel is very well kept with only some very gentle hints of age. Through the steering wheel to the gauges, all of them remain completely functional and appear in excellent condition, all of the wooden veneer trim surrounding look absolutely wonderful thanks to a recent refurbishment - they look as good as new! Just to the right of the gauges the ignition barrel as well as the headlamp switch shows some heavier signs of use which is to be expected of a highly tactile area of any car.
Moving across the dashboard, all of the wooden veneer remains fantastic with a high shine, and the upper leather dashboard is free from any tears or damage with good stitching lines. There is some very light damage just above the speed control panel, however it remains purely cosmetic. The original Pioneer 4 channel stereo remains in place and reportedly functional, and the air controls even have the operational card hung over the dials. Something you don’t often get to see.
Moving into the rear, the seats are shown in near showroom condition, you’d be fooled into thinking that nobody had the pleasure of sitting back here - arguably one of the best places to be in a Roller.
All four door cards have wonderful leatherwork and wooden veneer, and all of the brightwork appears to be very well maintained too.
Of all the places to be, the interior of this Roller is certainly one of the best ones. Endlessly opulent, exquisite materials all around, and even some swanky footrests for the rear passengers. What more could you ask for?
The Exterior
- Royal Garnet paintwork
- Hand-painted double coach lines
- Good brightwork
- Excellent shut lines
Luxury visualised. The Silver Shadow is not only opulent on the inside, but it oozes through its seams to its exterior, presenting itself with its nose turned up towards any other pedestrian vehicle. Truly, this Rolls Royce is the crème de la crème of four wheeled automobiles, and everyone in close proximity knows it.
This example was treated to a complete respray in the factory colour, Royal Garnet, some time within the last ten years. And even creeping up to a decade later, it remains in outstanding form. The current custodian had hand-painted coach lines commissioned, and a full machine polish by a local professional detailer to ensure the paintwork is as pretty as can be - topped up by a layer of wax.
At the front of the Rolls Royce, all of the brightwork remains in good shape - it could use a bit of polish to hide away some of the age related scratches however no pitting or off putting blemishes seem to be present. The large attention-demanding grill shows itself in good shape with straight and true fins, with the Spirit of Ecstacy atop. All of the light lenses appear to be free from any damage and are reported to all be operational, and all of the surrounding paintwork seems excellent.
Around to the side of the opulent saloon, all of the body panels appear to be in great shape with no noticeable damage or dings with good shut lines. Paintwork is handsomely presented and the hand-painted coach lines accentuate the long lines of the bodywork, surrounding the lovely brightwork trim which travels from nose to tail. All four wheels are lovely - the centre hub caps have matching coach lines, and the polished lip of the rims only have some very gentle grazes present, all shod in Avon white-walled tyres which we’re told are in great shape.
To the rear of the Silver Shadow, not much changes. Paintwork remains to be in fantastic condition, and brightwork trim appears lovely with maybe the small need for a little bit of TLC to bring it completely back to life on close inspection. Both rear light clusters are working and undamaged, and the centre badge on the boot makes sure everyone knows they’re in the presence of excellence.
The Mechanics
- 6,750cc V8 engine
- Automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive configuration
- Reportedly mechanically sound
Fitted with the 6.75-litre V8 engine propelling the vehicle through a 4-speed automatic transmission, and producing a stout 189bhp. These engines were masterfully built and proved themselves over the decades of use, running smoothly and producing efficient power even after tremendous stress tests done by RR.
The vehicle reportedly runs excellently, with the current keeper spending over £10,000 in the last three years. Carburettors have been professionally cleaned and rebuilt, with all of the rubber lines in the engine bay replaced with fresh sets. A new air conditioning unit has been installed which we’re told is fantastic and cold! Recently replaced whitewall tyres show themselves in great shape, and all of the interior and exterior bulbs have been replaced with LED equivalents. The keeper does state that these can be put back to the original bulbs if a new custodian should wish for it.
The keeper states the vehicle has a built-in official trickle charge point in the boot, with the charger included - and a new rubber seal on the boot to keep everything dry as it should be. Also to note, the previous keeper of the vehicle did an extensive amount of work too - including a brand new stainless steel exhaust system which has very little use.
The engine is reported to fire up without any hiccups, blissfully humming away. The steering remains as well positioned as you would expect, and the suspension is as soft as one would imagine in a Rolls Royce - smooth, comfortable and fit for royalty. This is one seemingly well sorted Rolls, with a very enthusiastic owner sad to see it go.
Summary
Any Silver Shadow is an absolute treat to see, nevermind own. Oozing opulence, they have always been out of reach for common folk - and now have quickly become dazzling collectors items with loving custodians who always struggle to let them go.
A fantastic opportunity to procure a tremendously cared for and collector owned example, this Silver Shadow is sure to be a treasured purchase for any potential new owner.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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