Incredibly, the Silver Shadow model range is approaching 60 years old, something its easy to forget as these have been a shorthand for luxury for so long they appear almost ageless.

This 47 year old stands out with its metallic bronze bodywork under beige vinyl roof, a very 1970s colour scheme which has circled back into fashion. Its not immaculate but more than presentable and is packed with character. 

Registered new in January 1975, it  belonged to E.T. Sutherland and Son Ltd, listed as a food factory in Kiveton, Sheffield, presumably for Mr Sutherland Sir or Jnr to park in his reserved space at the factory.

It was maintained locally by Kennings Ltd in Sheffield throughout the 1970s, until changing hands around the turn of the 1980s, moving south to Bournemouth where Rolls Royce agent H.P. Arnett & Son looked after it for the second and third owners after changing hands again in 1985.

Over the last five years lots has been spent on the car, rectifying age related issues and keeping on top of maintenance.

As cool and 70s as the exterior is, the interior tops it with dark chocolate leather dash top, lower and centre console and brown carpets along with very unusual cream leather seats with flour centres, something the seller, a Rolls Royce specialist has never seen before.

Its not perfect but is loaded with charm and character. The hide on the seats has some patina but looks good, and the velour centre looks good in most areas, almost unused in the back but the drivers seat fabric does unfortunately have a tear in the centre of the base and a small split in the passenger side.

The wood of the dashboard has a lovely deep tone and a nice gloss. The lacquer has started to lift on the edges of the dash, and there are marks in the clear coating on the door caps.

The leather and carpet trim of the door cards is in good condition, showing some patina of age. The drivers door does have extensive discolouration from use which it may be possible to correct with the right cleaning techniques.

The brown carpets are in very good condition having been under the thick, soft lambswool mats in a lighter brown and also in fine shape.

The Shadow looks good in the metallic bronze paint which is generally looks good with only the usual stone chips and the panels are straight and free of dings. The bottom corner of the offside front wing does have a small hole in the corner below the bumper and there is a little bubbling around that wheel arch lip and that of the nearside rear.

Its beige vinyl roof is a nice contrast to the darker lower body and is in very good condition with no marks or damage.

The brightwork is good, the Rolls Royce grill and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot have nice chrome, as do the bumpers and door handles and the stainless and body colour hubcaps are very tidy.

There are receipts from the last five years or so showing lots of regular maintenance as well as larger jobs.

It has had new brake pipes, battery, fuel pump, brake pads and a caliper, rear wheel hub bearings, and brake pressure sphere and valve body, much of this done by a marque specialist. This is in addition to regular scheduled maintenance being taken care of as required.

The car looks to have been well maintained mechanically and starts easily and the seller tells us it drives well.

This may not be immaculate, but is an interesting and characterful car with a very good service history which drives well. 

It would be a good entry into the world of Rolls Royce with a couple of minor jobs which can be taken care of at your leisure while enjoying the the opulence of an earlier time.

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