Lot 330: 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Sedan

Introduced in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (and Bentley T1) represented a complete break with tradition, being the first of the Crewe factory’s models to employ unitary construction. The latter freed the body designers from the constraints of a separate chassis and permitted a reduction in overall height and weight without loss of either rigidity or capacity. All-round independent suspension was another new introduction, and production cars boasted a roofline 4” lower than that of the preceding Silver Cloud. This new styling appealed to the younger generation of Rolls-Royce owners more prevalent from the mid-1960s onwards and enabled the company to keep abreast of fashion. Its engine - the well-tried 90-degree V8 introduced on the Silver Cloud II - was one of the first aspects of the Silver Shadow to undergo significant alteration, being enlarged to 6,750cc in 1970. The Corniche’s introduction and commencement of the Camargue project slackened the pace of Shadow development briefly, the next significant up-grade not occurring until mid-1972 when the ‘compliant suspension’ package of modifications was introduced, significantly improving the car’s handling. Models manufactured after the spring of 1974 (from chassis number ‘18269’ onwards) featured subtly flared wheel arches accommodating wider, lower-profile radial tyres. At around the same time improvements were made to the central locking and cruise control systems, but the most obvious difference between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ Shadows was the latter’s impact-absorbing bumpers, a US-market requirement.

Manufactured in 1970, right-hand drive Silver Shadow chassis number ‘8628’ is one of the very last of the original 6.2-litre cars, and thus represents the ’Shadow in its purest, least adulterated form. Finished in Sand with well-preserved black leather interior, the car is equipped with dual side mirrors and benefits from a new Everflex roof (fitted 2005, invoice available). A total of 43,056 miles is recorded on the odometer and the vehicle is described as ‘rust free’ and with working air conditioner. It is offered complete with jack and original owner’s manual.