While it’s not uncommon to find Silver Shadows in sedan form and with years of neglect piled on, a coupe-bodied Silver Shadow is a fair bit rarer, especially in right-hand drive form. This example is full of intrigue, with mileage believed to be genuine at just 19,800. The car still wears British market license plates and is likely in full gray-market dress due to its long-term tenure in the U.S. Even more beguiling? It was bought at a local government auction in New Mexico ages ago. There’s a great story here, and thankfully, the Rolls’ condition is solid enough that it will definitely be saved. Find it here on eBay with bidding just over $8,000 and the reserve unmet.
The car is listed for sale on behalf of the deceased owner’s widow. The Silver Shadow previously belonged to the owner’s brother, who gave it to him some years ago. The big coupe entered the garage under its own power but doesn’t currently run; it does still turn over, and the seller has video to prove it if you’re interested. The body has its share of dings and other blemishes but rust doesn’t appear to be a problem, and given its primarily resided in New Mexico and Montana, here’s hoping it’s super dry underneath. The side marker lens on the fender may indicate some attempt at federalization was made, especially if it was owned by the government any period of time. The seller notes it was purchased from the government 25 years ago, so it’s been here a while.
The interior is in surprisingly nice condition, and really just looks appropriately aged at this point. Interiors of vintage luxury cars like this can look like hell when left unused, as they generally require lots of additional TLC to maintain their luster. Whether the owner regularly detailed and protected the massive spans of genuine woodgrain trim or treated the leather seating surfaces is unknown, but it certainly looks like it was loved at one point. The color combination, to me, is as good as it gets, with red carpeting beneath the black leather and exterior paint – it’s borderline sinister in this combination. The right-hand drive steering denotes this as a genuine British market vehicle, much like my barn find 1980 BMW 320/6. Fortunately, the automatic makes it less challenging in this case.
The engine bay looks surprisingly complete, and, like the interior, seems to speak to this Silver Shadow being a car that was loved before its extended slumber. While the second generation Silver Shadow is a relatively unloved classic at the moment, the first iteration of almost any major redesign or model introduction tends to fare better in the collector market. These earlier Silver Shadows were perhaps less hamstrung by changing emissions regulations and other related policies, and this one being a European-spec example may have even less restrictive equipment installed, depending on whether it was formally federalized. I’m not much of a Rolls/Bentley guy, but this one is talking to me.
It’s talking to me too. It’s saying “give me all your money” and I’m ignoring it lol.
It shows how little I know about these cars because this one is already bid up to $8000 with 4 days to go. I look at this (a non-running Rolls, right-hand drive, bought “for novelty’s sake” years ago in a government auction) and I see nothing but hundred dollar bills flying out the window, one right after the other.
If you were forced to resto this puppy…which would be less wallet-damaging:
A) Restoring with current underpinnings
B) Rip everything out and go crate V-8
The RHD is already a deal-breaker for me.(btw)
Much better to do it properly. Judging by the – admittedly few – photographs it doesn’t look so bad. Perhaps more like recommissioning than restoration. Not that it would be cheap, but what is? In some respects these are different and complex but it can all be done and there are speciailists to advise and help and the parts are available. Takes time, research, patience and skill (and of course money). The result will be worth it.
Parden me but do you have grey poupon to spare?
https://youtu.be/QoHSe-0hixs
It could be a nice weekend car…
This was not a factory model,but a James Young conversion.Apparently 35 were made,21 with RHD.This car was registered in the County of Bedfordshire,where I live.Manual gearboxes were NOT offered.
Mulliner Park Ward was the coach builder. This being and early car has the beautiful Chippendale dash panel.
Its the unseen hydraulics which soak up 1000nds of $, but the engine looks very uncorroded.
Luke Arnott is right. It may not be a car to restore right now, and hobbyists beware. But one day it will be worth a lot of money as pretty much the last gasp of traditional Rolls-Royce coach building. So a nice car to buy and keep as is to appreciate (both senses),
They are also very elegant!
Exactly!
If I’m not mistaken , the radio has a CD player, which would have been installed after 1982, probably quite some time after.
Nice car, always felt one should own a Rolls Royce at least once.
Couldn’t afford a Matchbox replica right now.
I believe its a Mulliner Park Ward coupe which ultimately became the Corniche coupe in 1971. James Young did build a coupe but the rear end styling is more like a shadow, where as this one has the Corniche styling and is much prettier than the James Young coupes.
Correct @carappraiser! This is MPW coupe, which became the Corniche but lost something in the process, getting progressively more desperate to grab attention as the decades rolled on. MPW coupé is less rare than the James Young version, but much more attractive as the JY is basically a 2 door version of the Shadow sedan,
The guy who maintained my cars for 20 years had a 4 door sedan in the shop for months waiting for $4000 worth of brake parts. Otherwise it ran like a top. Silent as ghost, no rust. But total new brakes on my ’14 Audi cost $2000 (the discs and pads are designed to wear out together to save weight to make up for the “cool:” 19 inch. 75 pound each wheels)
If I had the room I’d be after this in an instant.
I owned a 1970 sedan for two years. The hydraulics are a money eater if it’s been standing. And the alloy V8 can corrode if left.
But if the body is good, that’s a huge bonus, once they start to rust, forget it.
Plus the interior, seven top-quality hides and an acreage of veneer.
The cabin is a lovely place to be, wafting along on a magic carpet.
Mine had already rotted beyond saving before I bought it, but its last two zombie years and 7.000 miles were an experience I shall never forget.
I ran a shop specializing in these cars, and I quickly noted the hydraulic line at the top of the front suspension mount. Early Rolls-Royce & Bentley cars had 4-wheel leveling hydraulic suspension, using high pressure brake fluid. By 1969 the front suspension was changed to non-leveling, as it was very troublesome. This car needs to have the front suspension updated, and that’s not going to be cheap.
And yes, it’s a MPW Coupe, Not a JY.
Unlike the 4-door models, this car IS worth investing some time & money.
in the 1980s There was a place in the Bexley area of South London that specialized in selling older Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Princess and Daimler cars to Americans & Canadians. The no-good charlatan who ran the facility, often used the small Lucas side lights to make the car conform to USA Specs. This car has the front side light located above the front wheel, just like other cars this guy sold to unsuspecting Yanks.
Unless you know these cars inside & out, before buying it I suggest you contact the Rolls-Royce club [RROC] and check with them to find a local member who can check it out & decide what it will need. If I still had my shop I would be all over this car. It’s very rare in North America.
There is a general belief among Rolls-Royce & Bentley collectors/owners that just about ALL 2-door examples are worth investing in.