Lot 023: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

Launched in 1965, the Silver Shadow was the first 'modern' Rolls-Royce with a monocoque body, aluminium doors, boot and bonnet and no separate chassis. Other innovations included a fully hydraulic braking system, based on Citroen patents, that included four wheel discs, twin circuits and rear self-levelling suspension. Squat and purposeful on the outside but still aristocratically luxurious on the inside, it was perfectly timed to attract the nouveau gentry of the Swinging Sixties who were more likely to have made their money from business, pop or fashion than inheriting it from the ancestors.Even today, to slip behind the wheel of a well kept Shadow is to enter a different world where every journey is an occasion and the feelgood factor is off the scale. Beautifully crafted, technically advanced and good to drive, it sold like no Rolls-Royce before or since with 37,000 examples rolling from the Crewe production line before it was replaced by the Silver Spirit in 1980Over 2,000 improvements were made along the way, the most important being the introduction of the 6,750cc engine and GM three-speed box in 1970, radial tyres in 1972 and the launch of the Shadow II in 1977. This had rack-and-pinion steering rather than recirculating ball, improved air conditioning, a modernised dash and rubber bumpers in place of chrome.First registered in January 1976, this Shadow I was acquired by famous libel lawyer Peter Carter-Ruck in 1994 (hence the personalised plates which are included in the sale) and has been owned by his nephew since. The car covered 62,000 chauffeur-driven miles in Carter-Ruck's ownership and there are bills on file for £34,000 for maintenance work carried out in this time. Clearly a well-looked after machine, the history is too detailed to go into here, but recent work includes over £6,000 spent at P&A Wood in 2004-05 for a full service, an overhaul of the braking and hydraulics system, overhauled air con, new front shock absorbers, new alarm and immobiliser and installation of a battery isolator switch in the boot. Within the last couple of months it has received a new rotor arm, distributor cap, plug leads and battery.Presented in the attractive colour scheme of Moreland Green over Pewter with light tan leather interior, it is said to be in good condition overall and to drive well. The 103,000 miles on the clock is said to be genuine and to tally with the service history. It has an MOT until July 2008.