NO RESERVE - 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I

Highlights

• Kept in dry storage for 35 years and just re-emerged

• Cleaned, running and presented otherwise ‘as found’

• Superb interior

• Excellent structural condition

THE BACKGROUND

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 body shells 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’), but ponderous steering and soft suspension meant I was no dynamic tour de force. It was, however, astonishingly comfortable, while a long-stroke version of the V8, displacing 6,745cc, made later cars more powerful.

It was the company’s best-selling model by quite some margin, though in later life this had a bearing on the Shadow’s reputation as many of them fell into the hastily tarted-up ‘white wedding’ trade. Those days are largely gone today, which makes survivors in their original colour schemes especially rare.

This one was the owner’s own wedding car, though, and once the nuptials were over and done with, he put it in an outbuilding, in which it didn’t turn a wheel for over 30 years!

THE HISTORY

Now this is a story!

Purchased by it's last keeper for the sole purpose of flamboyance at his own forthcoming wedding in 1989! He had the car restored and painted to suit the colour theme of his wedding. It’s an unusual pearlescent white, with a tan vinyl roof.

Once the wedding was over, the happy couple couldn’t bear to part with their Rolls, so instead of selling it they put it into storage waiting for the ‘one day’ to come around we they used it again, which they never did. The car’s last MOT expired in 1991. It was found still with the wedding ribbons on the seats.

The Silver Shadow was discovered earlier this year during a house clearance, with some minor damage caused by a break-in, but otherwise as parked-up. The photo gallery shows it on the day it was extracted by the vendor.

THE PAPERWORK

There are a few recent receipts for parts bought by the vendor to get the car back into running condition, along with a few bits and pieces form earlier in the car’s life including some old MOTs up to 1991 and an old-style blue logbook with the previous keeper’s name on it.

It also has a new-style logbook in the name of the vendor. The vendor has ensured the car is now classed as historic to make sure it is MOT and tax exempt, so it is now showing as taxed. However, although MOT exempt it is not ready to be used on the road and will require some fettling (though nothing too major) before it can be.

THE INTERIOR

From the rich walnut and aged leather smell through to the sumptuously padded seats and Axmister carpet mats, the Silver Shadow’s cabin is a truly magnificent place to be and is all in fine fettle.

The leather is free from cracks and abrasions, the wood is all excellent and there’s even an integrated Radiomobile push-button radio that sits inside the wood veneers. There’s just one small crack to the wood.

Although extremely dusty when discovered, the vendor days he was delighted by the interior condition of the Shadow – especially the wood. It really has survived well and is beautifully original.

THE EXTERIOR

Considering that it sat abandoned for 30 years, the Silver Shadow is quite astonishing really. The sills and underside are superb, ad it presents very well from a short distance.

Up close, there are a few imperfections, the most significant being a dent on the top of the nearside front wing that was caused by a break-in at the storage unit.

There are also some blisters under the paint on both front wings, which are some sort of paint/moisture reaction rather than corrosion.

All of the other panels are very good, as is the vinyl roof. It has Dunlop SP Sport tyres with 6mm of tread all round and all of the chrome is good with the exception of a cracked passenger door mirror.

THE MECHANICS

The seller’s son is a car mechanic specialising in older vehicles, so having acquired it as a non-runner the vendor got him to sort it out and get it running. The 6,750cc V8 now fires up on the button, with a full service and fresh fuel and a general mechanical overhaul, including a new carburettor float, fuel pipes and filters.

The gearbox appears to work fine as do most of the controls other than the air conditioning, which requires regassing. The one outstanding repair job on the car is a valve within the hydraulic braking system, which is currently not functioning and causes the brake pedal to sink. A replacement needs sourcing, and the owner hasn’t found one yet. As a result, the car will need transporting to its new owner, which the vendor can help to arrange if required.

THE APPEAL

From its early days as the height of luxury, through the era of cheap Shadows being a bit wide-boy ish, the iconic Seventies Rolls-Royce has now come full circle, with the best and most pedigreed examples now being highly sought after by collectors and those who appreciate the very finest in retro-cool.

This Silver Shadow ticks both of these boxes. It has a fascinating story to tell, having been hidden away for three decades, and it is now ready to thrive once again, needing minimal work to get it back on the road.

Notice to bidders

Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.

As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.

Please see our FAQ's here and our Terms & Conditions here

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification

Year 1970
Make Rolls Royce
Model Silver Shadow I
Colour Pearlescent White
Odometer 103,825 Miles
Engine size 6230

Auction Details

Seller Type Private
Location Essex
Country United Kingdom

Bidding history

82 bids

Ke•••• £8,000 20/12/21
Am•••• £7,900 20/12/21
Ke•••• £7,800 20/12/21
Am•••• £7,700 20/12/21
Ke•••• £7,600 20/12/21
Me•••• £7,500 20/12/21
Ke•••• £7,400 20/12/21
Me•••• £7,300 20/12/21
Ke•••• £7,200 20/12/21
Vi•••• £7,100 19/12/21
cr•••• £7,000 19/12/21
Vi•••• £6,900 19/12/21
cr•••• £6,800 19/12/21
co•••• £6,700 19/12/21
cr•••• £6,600 19/12/21
co•••• £6,500 19/12/21
cr•••• £6,400 19/12/21
Wi•••• £6,300 18/12/21
Vi•••• £6,200 18/12/21
Vi•••• £6,100 18/12/21
co•••• £6,000 18/12/21
Vi•••• £5,900 18/12/21
co•••• £5,800 18/12/21
Vi•••• £5,700 18/12/21
co•••• £5,600 18/12/21
ju•••• £5,500 18/12/21
le•••• £5,400 18/12/21
le•••• £5,300 16/12/21
da•••• £5,200 16/12/21
rb•••• £5,100 15/12/21
le•••• £5,000 15/12/21
rb•••• £4,900 15/12/21
le•••• £4,800 15/12/21
rb•••• £4,700 15/12/21
le•••• £4,600 15/12/21
rb•••• £4,500 15/12/21
le•••• £4,400 15/12/21
rb•••• £4,300 15/12/21
le•••• £4,200 15/12/21
le•••• £4,100 15/12/21
rb•••• £4,000 15/12/21
le•••• £3,999 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,900 15/12/21
le•••• £3,800 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,700 15/12/21
le•••• £3,600 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,500 15/12/21
le•••• £3,400 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,300 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,200 15/12/21
le•••• £3,100 15/12/21
rb•••• £3,000 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,900 15/12/21
rb•••• £2,800 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,700 15/12/21
rb•••• £2,600 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,500 15/12/21
rb•••• £2,400 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,300 15/12/21
rb•••• £2,200 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,100 15/12/21
Wi•••• £2,000 14/12/21
jo•••• £1,900 14/12/21
Wi•••• £1,800 14/12/21
Be•••• £1,700 14/12/21
Bi•••• £1,600 14/12/21
Ni•••• £1,500 13/12/21
Wi•••• £1,400 13/12/21
Wi•••• £1,300 13/12/21
co•••• £1,200 13/12/21
Tr•••• £1,100 13/12/21
jo•••• £1,000 13/12/21
Mv•••• £999 13/12/21
Mv•••• £900 13/12/21
jo•••• £800 13/12/21
Mv•••• £700 13/12/21
jo•••• £600 13/12/21
Mv•••• £500 13/12/21
jo•••• £400 13/12/21
Mv•••• £300 13/12/21
jo•••• £200 13/12/21
jo•••• £100 13/12/21

Message C&C Auction Team

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