Guide Price - £6000 - £9000
Highlights
- Mostly original condition throughout
- Very comprehensive history file
- Runs and drives beautifully
The Appeal
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a luxury car built, in various forms, by the British manufacturer between 1965 and 1980. It was the first Rolls-Royce to use unitary body and chassis construction, and notably used a hydropneumatic suspension system, licenced from Citroën, which gave superior ride quality.
In 1977 the model underwent a significant revamp and was renamed the Silver Shadow II. Externally the Shadow II (and Bentley T2 version) featured a chin spoiler, rubber bumpers and shallower grilles. Under the bonnet, new components included rack-and-pinion steering and modifications to the front suspension (which markedly improved the handling), while the interior styling was comprehensively revised.
While the original Shadow had a 6.2-litre V8 engine, in 1970 this was replaced with a 6.75-litre derivative, and a three-speed automatic gearbox replaced the original four-speed version. This change reflected the bigger engine’s increased power and torque. In total 8425 Shadow IIs were built, until the model was replaced by the Silver Spirit in 1981.
TCD 24 R is in remarkably original condition, and has clearly been cherished by successive owners.
The History and Paperwork
- Very comprehensive folder of paperwork
- Recent receipts
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- Current V5
- Only 5 owners since new
- Owners’ manual
First registered in March 1977, TCD 24 R has had just five owners in its 45-year lifespan. They all appear to have been remarkably diligent at retaining paperwork; there’s a thick folder of receipts and other paperwork dating back many years. There’s even a pile of photocopies of the original build documentation and delivery papers. It all makes for a comprehensive history of the car that outlines its history in detail.
The vendor has owned the car for the last five years, but sadly health issues mean that he has reluctantly decided to part with the car. There are a number of recent invoices that record significant expenditure in the last couple of years, further evidence that the car has been well cared-for over many years.
The Interior
- Seats, dashboard and carpets all in excellent condition
- Original toolkit, jack etc
- Original rear footrests
Open the doors, and the care and attention with which the car has been looked after become immediately apparent. The driver’s seat and armrest have some signs of wear, as one would expect of a car this age, but otherwise the leather throughout the car is in extremely good condition.
The carpets and rugs are also good, although the thick rug in the passenger footwell has some evidence of staining. In the rear, the original (removable) footrests are still in place and virtually unmarked.
The dashboard, switchgear and centre console are all remarkably good for their age, and everything appears to work as it should. As well as the original radio there is a later Kenwood CD/radio, complete with its instruction manual.
In the boot, the carpet liner is in great condition, and the original toolbox (complete with all tools), jack and wheelbrace are all present. Beneath the boot carpet, the floor is in very good condition and there is a cover that removes to reveal the spare wheel (which is stored under the car).
The Exterior
- Smart Mediterranean Blue paintwork
- Wheels and tyres in excellent condition
- Great chrome and brightwork
The car looks good in its Mediterranean Blue paintwork (with a contrasting yellow pinstripe) but look closer and there are a few issues. There’s rust on the offside front wing, at the base of the windscreen on the nearside, and beneath the front bumper. There’s also evidence of corrosion on the bonnet just behind the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot.
The badges and brightwork all look good, as do the wheels and tyres.
The Mechanics
- 6750cc engine
- Auto transmission
- Starts and runs beautifully
- Lovely ride quality
The car starts on first turn of the key, and runs with a lovely engine note. It pulls away quietly, gearchanges from the auto ‘box are smooth, and the vendor assures us that it drives beautifully, with no issues. Even on the short drive to our photo location, the car’s superior ride quality was apparent. Recent receipts record expenditure of more than £4500 in the last year and a half, evidence of the care with which the vendor has treated the car.
Under the bonnet, everything is clean and tidy for a car of 45 years old, while underneath the car there is no sign of corrosion or leaks.
Summary
High production numbers of the Silver Shadow led to plenty of the cars appearing on the second-hand market; many owners who’d picked them up at attractive prices tried to run them on a budget and failed to maintain the cars to the necessary standards. Those cars have now largely disappeared, and sound examples like this one are increasingly scarce. Consequently, values are on the rise.
Famous around the world, the Rolls-Royce brand name is renowned for high-end luxury and refinement, and the Silver Shadow II exemplifies that reputation. While there are a few cosmetic issues to address, with its striking looks, amazingly original interior and reassuring folder of paperwork, TCD 24 R offers the new owner the chance to cruise in comfort and style.
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