1971 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW I

KEY FACTS

• An elegant and refined classic British luxury car, presented in impressive condition throughout and benefiting from prior mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment.
• Under the bonnet is the silken 6.75-litre ‘L410’ V8, producing up to 189bhp and coupled to a three-speed ‘Turbo-Hydramatic 400’ automatic transmission.
• The odometer currently displays just 36,768 miles, which is believed to be accurate and is supported by the car’s MOT test certificates and maintenance records.
• First registered in November 1971, this original UK-market Silver Shadow was acquired by its previous keeper in 2001 at an indicated 32,323 miles, before being sold to its current owner seven years ago at only 35,600 miles.
• During its time with the seller the car has been carefully improved and maintained to a high standard, and has only covered 1,150 miles since 2014.
• While the mileage seems correct for the condition and the general wear, the history of the car for about 15 years from 1975 is not present, so the mileage is not warranted.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Originally finished in blue, this Silver Shadow’s bodywork has since been stripped back to bare metal and repainted in Bentley Grey, while the cabin is trimmed in light grey leather, punctuated by handsome wood trim.
• It rides on a set of 15-inch steel wheels with chromed trims, which feature some minor scuffs and scratches on their surfaces, but are in very good shape overall.
• The car will be accompanied by all of its original handbooks, including its original service book, which is stamped up to October 1974 at 29,510 miles.

CONDITION

• No known bodywork damage.
• The fully resprayed Bentley Grey paintwork is in excellent overall condition, with a smooth and glossy appearance around the car
• Inside, the luxuriously-trimmed cabin presents very well indeed, having been refurbished in 2015 when the leather upholstery and carpets were cleaned and rejuvenated, and the wood trim was stripped and re-lacquered at a total cost of £1,220.
• Today, the interior is in great shape, and while there are a few small marks including blemishes on the front passenger-side armrest and wear to the carpet on the left-hand side of the driver’s footwell, this is in line with the car’s age and use.
• There are no known electrical or mechanical faults, and there are no warning lights showing on the dashboard.
• The car’s last MOT test was conducted on 2 November 2020 at 36,752 miles, which resulted in a pass after the offside front headlamp’s aim was adjusted, with one advisory noting that there was a minor oil leak from the underside of the engine.

SERVICE HISTORY

• This Silver Shadow’s most recent routine maintenance was carried out in November 2020 at 36,752 miles by independent Rolls-Royce specialist Silver Lady Brentwood, who performed a general service as well as replacing the petrol pumps, rubber fuel hoses, accumulator pipe, brake reservoir feed hoses and modulator valve, in addition to resealing the brake pump and renewing the gearbox oil.
• Prior to this, in July 2017 the rear brake accumulator was replaced, along with the front accumulator’s high pressure hose and the offside rear driveshaft boot.
• Notably, when the seller acquired the car in 2014 it underwent a fully documented mechanical overhaul, with the engine, running gear and brakes all being tended to at a total cost of £5,000.
• The vendor also notes that new tyres were fitted in July 2021, when the car’s fluids were also changed or topped up as required.

SUMMARY

This first-generation Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is an opulent luxury car, which combines fine handcrafted details with the improved reliability of volume production to great effect. Overhauled in 2014 and driven only 1,150 miles since, it should make a wonderful addition to any collection, and is ready to transport its next owner in the kind of comfort and style that only a Rolls-Royce really can.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.