The original Silver Shadow was the first Rolls Royce to be built around a V8 engine. It was the first Rolls to be built with unitary construction and fully independent suspension. It was Rolls Royce’s response to the world telling them they had fallen behind in the times. They wouldn’t have it, and their response was heard. It was a thrilling machine to behold.
This LWB version, one of only 2,870 LWB Silver Shadows ever made, comes in the iconic and unmistakably luxurious deep black with grey interior. It demands your eye as it passes by, with the black and chrome reflecting its surroundings like a mirror.
This example is an original spec, unmodified and showing little signs of wear for the mileage driven. A previous owner has had the vehicle exterior professionally repainted but kept it to its original colours. In addition to this, the brightwork has been re-chromed to a very high standard.
The current owner has used the vehicle for pleasure as well as volunteering the car for friends’ weddings and church outings. Since 2006, the vehicle has seen less than 2,000 miles. It has been garage kept for its entire life. Even though the vehicle is MOT exempt, It has been MoT’d on a consistent basis to confirm its roadworthiness.
The vehicle was completely stripped and repainted in 1997, with documentation and photos to prove this. The bumpers have been re-chromed, and still remain in a beautiful condition and shine bright.
Included in the sale is a detailed book of work completed from around 1980 to 2010, documenting the vehicle from about 95,000 miles to 138,342. There are multiple binders of extensive records of service and maintenance, with invoices to prove said work was completed professionally.
All electrical equipment said to be in working order
Stunning veneer panels
All sheepskin carpets present
Climbing into this car, you’ll instantly note the no-expenses-spared mentality with the design and materials used in the interior. The touch-and-feel of the leather, the wood panels, plush sheepskin carpets, and elegantly designed buttons, knobs, and instruments, all within easy reach of the driver, are second to none for the time they were made.
The interior shows little signs of wear and tear, and it is complete and all-original. Rolls Royce collectors will also note that all of the sheepskin rugs and footrests are in place and in good condition, which is not always the case with vehicles of this age.
The headlining is in near-perfect condition. The door panels and interior trim are equally glorious.
The current owner also assures us that all of the electronics are in working order. All windows operate smoothly.
The boot is very spacious and tidy, and contains a spare tyre, and battery box with complete tool kit; see photos!
Black and chrome exterior perfectly suits the vehicle’s elegance
Re-chromed brightwork still gleaming
The exterior of this Rolls is in above average condition for its age. While there are a couple of light scratches, some very light paint swirls on the boot lid, and small rock chips from the road and general use, these issues do not detract from the overall exquisite condition of this Silver Shadow.
The window glass is in good condition, rather tidy and with the small chips expected from normal use, but nothing larger than a small stone impact.
The wiper trim, rubbers, and exterior plastics are all intact and in great condition. Unfortunately, the aerial is missing a screw and has been taped up for the time being.
The headlight and taillight lenses are clear, and the indicator lenses show no hint of fogging or haziness. All the chassis has been completely undersealed from factory
The original wheels are absolutely stunning, with no hint of corrosion which is often seen on these vehicles. The colour-matched rings on the wheels are all in excellent condition. The tyres still show plenty of tread as pictured.
The generous V8 sprang to life with no hesitation, and quickly settled to an almost silent idle. While the engine bay has room for improvement visually, the owner assures us that everything is in excellent working condition, and there is no knowledge of any work that needs doing.
The current owner has had the ignition changed from distributor type to electric type but has retained the old parts as well. There are spare handbrake cables, some touch up paint, a spare ignition coil, some oil, and an additional spare tyre included with sale, pictured.
The current owner also reports that they’ve had the vehicle on a ramp and the underside is in sound condition. There is a slight oil drip from the engine breather pipe, which is said to be normal for the car. They state that the steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear are performing as well as they should, and better than expected for the age. The automatic transmission connects smoothly into all gears.sBdqe2Hz16p5kyUNAFSzyrRc4V09godaL7CtxFio.jpeg638.39 KB
Summary
When spoken, the name Rolls Royce evokes a vision of extreme elegance, and a no-expenses-spared level of luxury. This Silver Shadow is no exception to that notion, as the extra length provided in this rare long wheelbase version just adds to the eccentric notion of luxury it exudes. Everywhere one looks, they can sense the time and care put into providing the driver and passengers with the absolute maximum amount of comfort and enjoyment in operation.
The Shadow’s robustly engineered design, use of high-quality materials, attention to detail and clinical build quality make it one of the easiest-to-own classic cars available today. This is an excellent opportunity to own a rare LWB version of a vehicle which certainly deserves the name Rolls Royce.
Notice to bidders
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