Highly acclaimed as one of the best examples in the country by the Rolls-Royce enthusiast club
Very extensive paperwork file cataloguing the cat's history from build to the current day
Very desirable Seychelles Blue over Silver Mink livery
Tan Connolly leather interior
The Appeal
Often touted as the quintessential Rolls-Royce, the Shadow practically standardised decades of development into a unitary-bodied, slab-sided car, with distinguished proportions, palatial cabins and plenty of technical innovations too - the outdated live rear axle was updated with an independent suspension, and the drums were replaced with discs.
Rolls-Royce introduced the ‘flared-arch’ Silver Shadow in March 1974. Sought-after by collectors, this further improved Silver Shadow benefitted from several desirable upgrades. Most notably, the wheel-track was widened and the tyre size increased from 205 to 235, hence the flared arches to accommodate the changes. At the same time, the rear headrests, speed (cruise) control and adjustable driver’s door mirror were all made standard fitments.
There's no doubt about it - this was the blueprint for RR's future, and its impact is still felt today.
This particular car, chassis 19712, is a late 1974 flared-arch example specified in Seychelles Blue over Silver Mink. We note the fine coachlines in contrasting colours to both the body and the wheel discs, while the cabin is impressively palatial with Tan Connolly Vaumol hide, Light Fawn Ambla headlining and Deep Fawn carpets and footstool.
This desirable ‘flared-arch’ Silver Shadow is a much cherished and exceptionally well-maintained example with a comprehensive service history with respected specialists. The car has remains in excellent condition and is ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian.
History and Paperwork
Registered in 1974
The DVLA records 9 previous keepers
In current ownership since May 2024
Indicates 72,985 miles, which is supported by the MOT history and paperwork
MOT exempt, and last tested in 2023 - which it passed with zero advisories
Paperwork file includes:
V5c document
A collection of tax discs
Original handbooks and manuals
Service record book
Original Radiomobile manual
Warranty information
Original order sheet
Assembly, safety and engine checklists
Plenty of invoices
3 CD-ROMs of further history
Electronic parts catalogue
Ordered via Rolls-Royce dealer Wadham Stringer of Guildford, the Silver Shadow was first registered on the 1st of November 1974. The original invoice was for £11,299.68 and the warranty commenced on the 5th November 1974. The history file includes copies of two early warranty claims dated 1st and 5th November 1974 in a different name, so the car seems to have changed hands either before or shortly after delivery.
By 1982 the Silver Shadow was with a new keeper based in Chigwell, Essex who had Rolls-Royce specialists P & A Wood maintain the car between 1982 and 1986.
In 1989 the car was sold to a new keeper based in Kidlington, Oxon. Maintenance passed to their local Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialists D. E. W. Services of Eynsham, Oxford who serviced the Silver Shadow between 1989 and 1995. In 1992 the body was refurbished by Royale Refinishing of Didcot, Oxon to a Concours standards.
In 1997 the Rolls-Royce was sold to a keeper in Standlake, Oxon. This keeper commissioned annual inspections and valuations from the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club between 1997 and 2015. Each club inspector described the car as in ‘Concours’ condition on each inspection, the highest possible score. During this tenure the Silver Shadow won the 1999 RREC Annual Concours Class 14, and was runner up in 2002.
In 2015 the inspector stated ‘she looks as good as ever – one of the better examples and worthy of the various awards and recognitions received within the RREC. Excellent panel curvature and gapping‘. Similar sentiments were expressed in the 2019 valuation ‘the car looks superb - and the engine compartment is very clean with no indication of surface rust or discolouration’.
Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialists Sargeants of Goudhurst, Kent maintained the car until they ceased trading in early 2017. Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialists Sargeants of Goudhurst, Kent maintained the car for Mr Lowrey until they ceased trading in early 2017.
The Silver Shadow was then purchased in 2021 by a steward based in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, and RR & Bentley specialist Nigel Sandell of Isleworth maintained the car. Sadly Mr. Garrett passed away in 2022 and the car was thus registered to his wife.
The current owner carried out an oil and filter service and vehicle health check in May 2024 and a new front silencer and rear exhaust system were fitted earlier this year along with new front and rear accumulator hoses and cleaning of the fuel lines and filters.
Service History
The vendor has kindly provided a comprehensive history, as below:
01/11/1974, warranty claim, [8,858] miles
05/11/1974, warranty claim, 3,568 miles
21/10/1975, maintenance Rolls-Royce Motors Crewe, 4,343 miles
11/06/1982, maintenance P & A Wood, 21,892 miles
15/06/1982, maintenance P & A Wood, 21,992 miles
11/10/1984, maintenance P & A Wood, 25,258 miles
02/11/1984, MOT, 25,505 miles
07/04/1986, maintenance P & A Wood, 26,008 miles
01/10/1986, maintenance P & A Wood, 26,750 miles
05/11/1987, MOT, 27,461 miles
01/09/1988, MOT, 28,227 miles
20/02/1989, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 29,155 miles
22/05/1989, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 29,544 miles
30/07/1989, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 30,557 miles
23/09/1989, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 30,919 miles
15/09/1989, MOT, 30,920 miles
20/05/1990, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 31,962 miles
15/07/1990, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 32,674 miles
13/09/1990, MOT, 33,520 miles
16/09/1990, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 33,520 miles
08/07/1991, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 35,371 miles
13/09/1991, MOT, 35,917 miles
10/02/1992, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 36,515 miles
07/09/1992, MOT, 38,331 miles
14/09/1992, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 38,330 miles
09/09/1993, MOT, 39,734 miles
08/09/1994, MOT, 41,273 miles
07/11/1994, maintenance D. E. W. Services, 41,286 miles
16/09/1995, MOT, 43,088 miles
21/09/1996, MOT, 44,585 miles
20/08/1997, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 45,744 miles
20/08/1997, MOT, 45,744 miles
10/08/1998, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 48,108 miles
10/08/1998, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 48,108 miles
13/08/1998, MOT, 48,108 miles
16/01/1999, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 48,794 miles
12/07/1999, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 49,994 miles
13/07/1999, MOT, 49,996 miles
07/08/2000, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 51,797 miles
10/08/2000, MOT, 51,797 miles
06/08/2001, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 53,255 miles
10/08/2001, MOT, 53,255 miles
05/08/2002, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 54,662 miles
08/08/2002, MOT, 54,662 miles
24/09/2002, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 55,162 miles
07/08/2003, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 56,512 miles
12/08/2003, MOT, 56,512 miles
09/08/2004, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 57,411 miles
12/08/2004, MOT, 57,411 miles
01/08/2005, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 58,766 miles
05/08/2005, MOT, 58,766 miles
08/11/2005, RREC valuation, 59,129 miles
01/08/2006, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 59,985 miles
04/08/2006, MOT, 59,982 miles
02/07/2007, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 61,231 miles
04/07/2007, MOT, 61,233 miles
24/07/2008, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 62,468 miles
21/07 2008, MOT, 62,467 miles
25/01/2009, RREC valuation, 63,002 miles
21/07/2009, MOT, 63,279 miles
23/07/2009, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 63,278 miles
19/07/2010, MOT, 64,420 miles
21/07/2010 maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 64,422 miles
05/07/2011, MOT, 65,576 miles
08/07/2011, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 65,574 miles
23/01/2012, RREC valuation, 65,912 miles
17/07/2012 maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 66,444 miles
18/07/2012, MOT, 66,445 miles
19/09/2012, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 66,538 miles
08/07/2013, MOT, 67,145 miles
11/07/2013, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 67,146 miles
28/07/2014, maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 67,815 miles
29/07/2014, MOT, 67,816 miles
25/01/2015, RREC valuation, 68,210 miles
17/07/2015, MOT, 68172 miles
03/08/2016, MOT, 68,728 miles
19/08/2016 maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 68,723 miles
31/08/2016 maintenance Sargeants of Goudhurst, 68,723 miles
21/07/2017, MOT, 69,174 miles
24/07/2017, maintenance Colbrook, 69,167 miles
18/08/2017, maintenance Colbrook, 69,559 miles
11/07/2018, MOT, 70,130 miles
13/07/2018, maintenance Colbrook, 70,123 miles
15/10/2018, maintenance Colbrook, 70,689 miles
23/07/2019, maintenance Colbrook, 70,901 miles
08/07/2019, MOT, 70,900 miles
04/09/2019, maintenance Cooleys, 71,059 miles
30/09/2019, RREC valuation, 71,005 miles
28/02/2020, maintenance Colbrook, 71,111 miles
14/07/2020, maintenance Colbrook, 71,366 miles
14/07/2020, MOT, 71,373 miles
22/04/2021, MOT, 71,863 miles
23/04/2021, maintenance N. Sandell, 71,863 miles
21/04/2022, MOT, 72,129 miles
27/04/2022, maintenance N. Sandell, 72,129 miles
The Condition
Beautiful livery of Seychelles Blue and Silver Mink
Sophisticated bodywork is free of dents and dings
Paintwork carries only light stone chips and marks
Chromework carries only light signs of use
A new windscreen and seal were fitted by The Beaconsfield Workshop in October 2022 at a cost of £6,788.16
Spirit of Ecstasy is all present and correct
Colour-matched wheels in good order
Underside appears in good, solid condition with no signs of corrosion
Beautiful tan leather interior in very good order
No rips, tears or significant wear to the bolsters
Wood cappings and fascias are beautifully presented
Original Radiomobile stereo still in situ
In September 2002, a new Alpine Radio/Cassette unit was installed along with new Alpine speakers
This has been discretely installed behind the original speaker holes in the door cards
A 6 x CD auto changer unit is mounted in the boot
All controls and instruments are clean and well-presented
Carpets and headlining look in excellent condition
The Mechanics
6750cc L410 V8 powerplant
3-speed THM400 automatic transmission
Engine bay is in excellent order
The 2022 service invoice totalled £6,048.41 and included:
Oil and filter service
A new battery
The fixing of leaking rocker cover gaskets
New stove pipes
New belts
Overhaul of the brake pump
Conversion of the air conditioning system from the old R12 gas to the modern R134A, necessitating a new air conditioning receiver dryer unit and AC actuator
Car is reportedly working exactly as it should
No sign of any leaks from the engine
We understand the car to be starting, driving, shifting and braking exactly as it should
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