Highlights

• Lovely first-generation Shadow I
• Restored and cherished by previous owner
• Lots of recent maintenance and repair history
• Certified LPG conversion for better running costs

The Appeal

 
When the Silver Shadow made its debut in 1965 it represented a marked change of direction for Rolls-Royce, moving on from the traditionally constructed Silver Cloud to bring in a new era of unitary bodyshells and separate suspension units.

Around a decade of development work went into the car after the styling was signed off, which makes it even more remarkable that the slab-sided styling still looks timeless today.

Four-wheel disc brakes with fail-safe dual circuits and independent rear suspension, using hydraulic self-levelling technology borrowed from Citroen, made the Shadow modern to drive, despite the pushrod V8 engine tracing its roots back to the Silver Cloud’s gestation.

And despite the modern construction techniques, there was no skimping on the Shadow’s traditional British craftsmanship. The interiors and outer panels were all hand-finished, with the finest walnut, leather and lambswool used to perfect the luxury of the cabin.
 
The original 90-degree V8 five-bearing pushrod engine was sufficient to propel the Silver Shadow up to a top speed of around 120mph (power output was simply quoted as ‘sufficient’) and it was astonishingly comfortable, while a long-stroke version of the V8, displacing 6,745cc, made later cars more powerful.
 
Registered in October 1970, this one was bought by the vendor’s late father upon his retirement – he’d always promised himself one and he enjoyed it for almost a decade, using the car regularly to travel between London and northern England. To make the long journeys more affordable, he converted the car to LPG with his son, and the installation was certified by a registered LPG installer.

In regular use until 2020, the Rolls-Royce has since been kept in a garage building that was specially lengthened to accommodate it, such was the owner’s love for the car. Sadly, it is now offered for sale to close the previous owner’s estate. It comes with a huge history file, much of it documenting work carried out to the car since it was acquired by the vendor’s father in 2010.
 

The History and Paperwork

• UK V5C in name of vendor
• Car number SRH9485
• Matching body and engine numbers
• A number of old MOT certificates is included dati8ng back to 1986
• Mileage believed to be genuine, based on MOT records back to the 1980s
• Showing five previous keepers, but four of these were companies belonging to the original owner and the fifth was the vendor’s father, from 2010 to 2020. 
• Tax, MOT and ULEZ/CAZ exempt
• Large selection of bills and invoices, including receipts for regular maintenance, servicing and repairs at Colbrook of Stilton, one of the UK’s best-regarded Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists
• Original owner’s handbook and hardback glovebox road atlas

The Condition

• Repainted in two-tone green several years ago and still looks very smart
• Professional lead-loaded repairs carried out to rear windscreen surround and C-pillars
• Generally good condition with no notable paint deterioration, damage or visible corrosion
• Some small marks and imperfections all-round
• Comprehensively undersealed underneath
• Signs of previous welded repairs underneath, but properly carried out
• Some minor corrosion visible on bulkhead 
• Good bonnet mascot, chrome and grille
• Correct wheeltrims with fairly recent white-band tyres all-round
• Discreet LPG filler on towbar mount
• Rich Oatmeal leather seats in great order with no obvious damage and very gentle, charming patina
• Matching door panels, also gently patinated
• Burr walnut veneers, some minor wear on dash and door cappings but in overall good order
• Period Pioneer push-button radio-cassette player
• Air conditioning
• Four electric windows
• External temperature thermometer
• LPG installation on rear bulkhead, leaving good luggage space
• Original Rolls-Royce tool kit 
• Original jack in leather bag

The Mechanics

• 6,745cc OHV V8
• Three-speed auto
• Fluid-operated suspension, brakes and power-assisted steering, all in good order
• Regularly maintained with basic servicing by the vendor and any repairs carried out as required by Colbrook of Stilton
• Reported by the vendor to drive very well indeed – but the car has seen very little use in the past three years so a general check-over is recommended before it is put into regular use

BEFORE YOU BUY