Highlights
- Mechanical refurbishment since 2018 including brakes, radiator, and alternator
- Classic white with original brown leather interior
- Voluntary MOT to November 2026
- Only five registered keepers
The Appeal
After years of catering to the driven, with the Silver Shadow, Rolls-Royce firmly embraced the idea of the ‘owner driver.’ The early version is the purest, retaining the slim chrome bumpers and narrow wheel arches penned by John Blatchley.
This early Shadow has led a very interesting life. It was repainted from the original brown in the 1980s, serving time as a wedding car until around 2014. The vendor acquired it in 2018 and has used it sparingly, whilst also dry storing it between uses. It remains in good, usable condition with the added transparency of a lengthy voluntary MOT to aid buyers.
Since acquiring the car the vendor has invested in a long list of repairs and improvements. These include new front brake callipers and pipes replaced, a replacement radiator, a brake fluid tank and alternator refurbished, a new starter solenoid, one new fuel pump, a manifold refaced, a new distributor cap, plug and distributor leads and new front tyres.
This tidy Silver Shadow has obvious commercial potential or simply enjoy one of the best, ultra-smooth saloons of the last 50 years.
The vendor says:
“The car drives very well and the seating is comfortable. The suspension removes most of the effects of rough roads. The traditional sloppiness, compared to modern cars, is there in the steering but one gets used to it very quickly. The ride is soft and sedate but the car accelerates rapidly when needed. I like the styling of the car and the interior luxury, as well as the powerful engine. The car gets attention on the road from other drivers and pedestrians, unlike the modern jelly moulds.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 17th May 1972
- Five registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since March 2018
- Previously painted brown and maroon which was changed in 1985
- Colour change coincided with car being used for weddings
- Used as a wedding car by two owners until approximately 2012-2014 we are told
- Service history includes original invoices from 1997 as below
- Complete service history from 2018 onwards we are told
- Large folder of maintenance shown in photos
- Long list of maintenance since 2018 detailed below
- V5C in the current keeper’s name
- Dry stored when not in use
- MOT certificates available
- Car regularly tested for MOT since 2018 despite this not being a legal requirement
- Factory handbooks
- MOT valid to 12th November 2026 with single minor advisory
- Five-digit odometer so displayed mileage is not verified
Maintenance advised by the seller since 2018:
- New front brake callipers
- Replacement front brake pipes
- New radiator
- Brake fluid tank refurbished
- Alternator refurbished
- New starter solenoid
- New fuel pump
- Manifold refaced
- New distributor cap
- Plug and distributor leads
- New front tyres in 2020
- Flying Lady replated
- Rear offside suspension valve serviced
- Routine servicing, including oil and brake fluid changes
Other work advised by the seller:
1997:
- Rear brake callipers replaced
- Rear suspension stripped out and mounts replaced
- Discs replaced
2010:
- New brake master cylinder
The Condition
- Older respray in white which remains presentable with some age to note in photos
- Vendor advises some flaking over the driver's and passenger's doors
- Bodywork also presentable with some rust visible on the wheel arches
- There is also an area of paint cracking on nearside base of front screen
- Boot interior has had previous rust repair work and has been recently repainted
- New front tyres fitted in 2020
- No structural advisories on MOT with underside as shown in photos
- Original tan leather interior in good condition with original brown carpets
- Leather seats show signs of use but remain in good condition
- One crack in the dashboard woodwork with other light wear to note to the veneers
- Door wood lacquer is cracking but remains attached as shown
- Vendor advises that car has clean headlining
- One of the two coolant warning lights on the dashboard is not functioning, we are told
- Black boot carpet in good order as shown
- Wheel jack kit and roll as shown
- Radiomobile system plus additional radio on centre console as shown
The Mechanics
- 6.75-litre V8 engine
- Twin SU carburettors
- 3spd automatic transmission
- Engine starts without problem and runs smoothly, we are told
- The vendor states that the car drives very well with responsive acceleration
- Long list of maintenance and repairs since 2018 as detailed above
- Single advisory to note on current voluntary MOT
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
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