SOLD

1971 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow - Long Wheel Base ("LWB")

Rolls-Royce 

Silver Shadow

"LWB"

Rare and desirable Long Wheel Base ("LWB") in stunning virtual concours condition.

The car had been in the hands of its original owner for most of its life having been care-taken in more recent years by a well-known Rolls-Royce collector and enthusiast who hardly used it and simply admired it. When we received the car, it was in very original, good condition and only showing modest signs of a Silver Shadow now due for a light restoration. Such a nice example that we decided to do a deserving restoration to her.

The exterior of the car was entirely straight, no dents nor previous repair and totally rust free with the underside clean and tidy. The paint was 100% original but unfortunately had the odd mark on each panel (fade spots and buff-through marks) so a complete re-paint in the original factory colour was undertaken by Park-Ward. It is now truly flawless without a single mark or blemish. A high-end job at a cost of some $20,000 it is entirely consistent in colour, finish and lustre - truly lovely - and the combination simply OUTSTANDING. The exterior of the car presents absolutely beautifully with all finishes, rubbers, glass, bright-work, hub-caps and the chrome in excellent condition. As part of the reconditioning process we removed all the bright-work and machined buffed every individual piece. This was followed by hand polishing and meticulous cleaning prior to re-fitment. It looks like new. Inside door edges and jams are incredibly clean and tidy without unsightly overspray or any signs of restoration.

The fine lines on the car were applied in the same manner as Rolls-Royce has done so to all its cars for many years; a trained craftsmen with a good eye and steady hand. With only the best squirrel hair brush the striping is applied entirely free-hand in one elegant stroke at a time. Even the lines on the hub-cap beauty rings are applied without guiding tools and relies only upon the eye and hand of the craftsman.

The Everflex vinyl top in black is its original fitment and is in amazing condition without any blemishes, fading or "drying".

The interior of the car is all original and in excellent condition. The leather remains soft and supple and is the factory original Connolly Vaumol hide leather. It is without any tears or unsightly wear marks and displays the original Vaumol grain, something that cannot be retained correctly when redyed. A good indicator of a low mileage Silver Shadow that has been rarely used. For those who do not know, Vaumol hide was a special leather developed by Connolly Brothers that was not just plain color dyed, but has a deep darker toner rubbed into the leather to enrich the grain and natural pores of the leather. This was done when the leather was still in hide form. This gives the leather the rich antique look you see - a bit like an old Chesterfield couch. Strangely, some people look at the leather and think it is dirty, it is not!. This is the antique look that Rolls-Royce was seeking, and they achieved it very well. If you are the sort of person that likes crisp, un-marked, one-colour leather like that in a new Lexus, we suggest you buy one of those. The Vaumol hides in this car exudes all the patina that is so perfectly suited to the Silver Shadow. (See the many close up photos of this car's amazing condition Vaumol hides).

Door panels, hood-lining, interior chrome-work, gauges and instruments are all in very fine condition. The carpets are the original Wilton pure wool. The dash pad and the rear parcel shelf are perfect.

The African burl walnut wood throughout is also completely original. Although not perfect with some areas showing minor hairline fracture marks in the lacquer, it still presents extremely well and NOT in any need of refinishing. I am a firm believer in; "Originality is always best". As a wonderful bonus, the wood sports a very detailed and intricate grain with a soft marbelling in the outer regions complemented by an intricate rich knotty burl in the inner areas. Such is the beauty of natural wood that Mother Nature can bring us something so beautiful and with the bonus that it is unique to this one Silver Shadow. Only Rolls-Royce can bring us such elegance.

The trunk presents clean and crisp like the rest of the car. Tyres are whitewall Michelin MX4s in good condition. The hubcaps are perfectly straight without any kinks or rashes and the stainless steel recently polished to a mirror finish.

Mechanically the car is fantastic. It has been work-shopped with the entire car "re-commissioned" from its days of rest. This includes all the hydraulics and braking system. With the car having low mileage and all the signs of having been laid-up correctly, she is very tight and in true operating condition. The engine purrs and gear-change is smooth and quiet. She rides down the road without rattles or thumps. Showing only some 64,000 miles, who can be truly sure of its authenticity, but with a review of the overall condition and especially its original interior, engine bay and under-side, this mileage is surely correct.

A/C blows ice cold and the heater works well. All interior and exterior lighting has been checked with all bulbs and lamps working as they should. Original jack and operating manual come with the car.

This Silver Shadow Long Wheel Base represents a condition and presentation that places her in the top 10% of equal models available for sale today. She is priced accordingly.

This is one of those rare Rolls-Royce finds that has found its way to the right people for re-commissioning. Like all cars restored and sold thru Park-Ward Motors, this Silver Shadow has been meticulously scrutinised mechanically and electrically with anything needed, attended to. All our cars are not just "tidied up" for sale but are subject to professional Rolls-Royce inspection and service to ensure it is in good operating condition. This includes important and expensive attention to the entire hydraulics and braking system to include; brake pumps, accumulators, hoses, lines, valves, calipers and pads. All our Rolls-Royces are then subject to a "pre-delivery commissioning" process after its sale and prior to shipment to ensure all features and functions are operating as they should. This professional attention to detail is not offered by any other classic Rolls-Royce on-seller in the country.

~~ A pedigree Silver Shadow LWB, in a rare colour combination. It is in fantastic condition. Make no mistake, the car could be shown as-is at your next Rolls-Royce meet. It ranks very comfortably as a 10  out of 10 driver and ranks very high as a show car as well. ~~