Lot Ended
Description
1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow I
Brakes fully
overhauled by Ristes; air con system rebuilt; electronic ignition; recent
repaint; driven 120 miles to the sale; a well-sorted Shadow, ready to
enjoy
To paraphrase Boris (or was it Churchill?) if the British
motor industry last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their
finest hour’. Hand-crafted by men in overalls, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
still stirs the soul of any true Brit more than any car built since. From its
launch in 1965 to its demise in 1980, the Shadow has come to represent all that
is best about our island race.
Ignore the badge on the boot, this fine old lady is of
course a Shadow I as the II did not come out until 1977. Dating from December
1970 she was bought by our vendor in 2013 with around 107,500 miles on the
clock, a total which has now risen to 113,900.
During his ownership the vendor has lavished much money on
the car including a full repaint in silver over blue earlier this year. Prior to
painting the bodywork was restored as necessary including repairs to the lower
front wings, the rear wheel arches and the front and rear valance panels. The
inner and outer sills had been previously repaired and are rock solid, as can be
seen in the photos.
In August 2016 the complex hydraulic braking system was
fully rebuilt by marque experts Ristes of Nottingham at a cost of over £3,000
(excluding many of the parts required which were supplied separately at
considerable extra expense by Flying Spares), this being a major plus point when
buying any Shadow from this era.
Other work of note during the current ownership includes a
full overhaul of the air conditioning system with a brand new compressor/dryer
and conversion to more modern R134a refrigerant gas; new twin barrel electric
fuel pump; replacement distributor with vacuum advance/retard from a Shadow II;
Lumenition electronic ignition system; twin coil set-up from a later Shadow;
replacement inlet and exhaust manifold gaskets and other top engine seals;
replacement window motors; dashboard clock rebuilt; new speakers installed; door
cappings relacquered; central locking system overhauled; stainless steel front
exhaust pipe and front silencer fitted; new rear spring cup and replacement
shock absorber.
Driven some 120 miles to the sale, the car presents well
and has been starting instantly and driving beautifully as we have moved it
around on site, feeling unusually taut and composed for a Shadow I. The navy
blue hide interior is nicely mellowed and just oozes that unique Rolls-Royce
feelgood factor that turns every journey into an occasion.
Being offered here at a very modest guide price, this
stately and well-maintained Shadow is just what the doctor ordered to keep those
winter blues at bay as we all wait for the distant bugle of the scientific
cavalry who will soon release us into the broad, sunlit uplands that surely lie
beyond. Go on, you only live once…
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
[email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT