The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is undoubtedly a classic car in every sense of the word, but it is one that is not particularly appreciated by the broader car community. Sure, British car fans will always respect the big body sedan, but others marque enthusiasts might consider it old hat or a car that is too frequently seen in junkyards or as a stalled project and thus not worth saving. However, it is also one of the most easily recognized designs in the classic car community and the seller of this 1976 sedan here on craigslist claims it took first prize at the National Rolls-Royce owner’s club in Monterey. Thanks go to Barn Finds reader numskal for the tip!
The Silver Shadow was fundamentally a big deal for Rolls-Royce, bringing the company into the modern era. The unitary construction was perhaps the clearest indicator that it was ready for the next generation of its mass produced luxury sedan, and the total production numbers represented the company’s largest for a single model. That is a key reason why, perhaps, the Silver Shadow is not seen as an item of great desirability: high production numbers and a sense of there always being another example to buy if you miss out on this one. Still, it’s hard to deny that this example does appear to be in excellent condition inside and out.
The 6.2L V8 produced around 190 horsepower for 1976 which seems like an absolutely laughable number for a car this large. Though trimmed down a bit width-wise to fit on American roadways, this was still a massive vehicle in terms of curb weight and dimensions, with a spacious cabin and a cavernous trunk. The Rolls of the late 70s was also a victim of the malaise era wherein vehicles, especially high-end luxury models, seemed particularly inept as it related to heavy curb weights and huge engines that struggled to make heads or tails out of aggressive fuel efficiency requirements.
When it comes to a car such as this that doesn’t enjoy high price tags on the collector car market, you really can – and should – go for the best one you can find. There is perhaps some rational to buying a scruffy example of a desirable vehicle if you can’t step up to a nicely maintained offering, but the Silver Shadow, like a C3 Corvette, is not that car. Buying a cheap one and restoring in will bury you financially, and if you can buy an outstanding example for under $30,000, you absolutely should.
Jeff, these are really pretty wonderful cars, especially in this apparent condition. I’ve driven a couple, and while they aren’t exactly sports cars, they will move right along when operated in a brisk manner.
Of course they were built more for comfort than speed, and Few cars than outdo them in that regard. As far as I’ve seen they live up to all the hype put out about them about build quality, and then some.
Owners I’ve spoken with told me they can be spendy to maintain, but the same can be said of most high-end machines. I don’t know if the claimed mileage is accurate, but if so, some problems might crop up caused by lack of use. Those would concern me more than normal wear and tear.
If someone does lay down the $29K — or manages to get the price reduced, which is always better — they’ll probably be pleased. Few cars from the 1970s can turn heads like a Shadow.
In Silver Shadows, the 6¾ V8 replaced the 6¼ in 1970.
While this car appears to be in lovely condition, it has several factors working against it. Probably the most significant detractor is the fact that is a 1976 model. Starting in 1977, Rolls-Royce introduced the much-improved Silver Shadow II. While at first-glance, they looked similar , there were dozens of improvements on the Shadow II, including rack & pinion steering, automatic climate control, and upgraded suspension. The 1976 model is also known for it’s overly complex and arguably unreliable emissions system. The Shadow IIs ride, handle, and perform better than the earlier cars. Most Shadow buyers strongly prefer the Shadow IIs, especially for $29K.
The next detractor on this car(for some) is that it is white. It looks like a wedding rental car. White Rollers were once popular in the wedding limo biz, but maintenance and insurance costs have made the older models like this unprofitable.
The very brief ad states the car won an RROC award, but does not indicate when. While RROC activity is a positive indication, there is no info provided on current service records and condition. I have seen many Shadows for sale, typically through estate sales that look as nice as this one, but need $10-$20K in service. Because his car may, or may not be as good as it looks, a thorough PPI by a qualified expert is an absolute must.
A buddy of mine who passed 12 years ago worked for GM for 35 years and was the go-to guy for Quality Control. Because of that, he was very jaded with management and told me he would never buy a car for more than 8k; they just weren’t worth it. He and his wife moved to Palm Springs and saw a ton of old RRs. He fell in love with them and actually paid 13K for a Shadow. He died 3 years later but told me that was the best car he had ever owned. These have an eclectic following, I would have bet the ranch he would have never considered a RR. They are way cool!
Rolls Royce?
Silver Cloud?
Craigslist?
I’d rather take my chances on Gas Station sushi.
It’s a fair assumption that the seller was told his asking price was unreasonable by legitimate sales venues, so may as well try the uninformed masses on CL.
Remember my dad telling me our 74 Impala had a Rolls Royce Transmission