Buying Guide

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

‘Shadows were once rather unloved, but those days are long gone’

More than 50 years have passed since the Shadow introduced the well-heeled buyer to a more modern interpretation of the Rolls-Royce theme, with unitary construction, a high-pressure hydraulic braking system and selflevelling suspension.

It’s hard to avoid the ‘gentleman’s club’ clichés but the cabin’s top-quality woods and leathers made it a very special place to be, and that’s as true today as it was back in 1965 when the Series I was launched. Powered by a 6.2-litre V8, the saloon was joined by a two-door coupé and convertible the following year (the latter becoming the Corniche in 1971) while the 6.75-litre motor was fitted from 1970. Rolls-Royce made continuous improvements over the course of a decade, from a wider, longer body in 1974 to the launch of the significantly updated Shadow II in 1977. A smoother automatic transmission, rack-and-pinion steering and more adept handling were highlights before the Silver Spirit replaced it in 1980.

This isn’t a car for B-road heroics, but performance is surprisingly lively when you introduce the throttle pedal to the deep-pile carpet. Mind you, the thought of epic fuel bills can limit your enjoyment of the silky V8.

Speaking of costs, the Shadow was once rather unloved, tempting many into champagne motoring on a lemonade budget, but those days are long gone. Good ones now command £20,000 and you should think long and hard before taking on the bankrupting restoration bills of a project.

But an example that’s been cherished and maintained as a Rolls should be? That’ll feel special indeed.

Electrical woes can take an age to track down and be costly to fix.

Either V8 should be smooth at all times – anything else spells expensive trouble.