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1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

Rare Euro spec, restored example ~ only from the best; Park-Ward

Price:	$56,500
Year:	1978
Miles:	33,500
Make:	Rolls-Royce
Model:	Silver Shadow II
Engine:	6.75 Litre Rolls-Royce V8
Colors:	Exterior: Highland green metallic / Interior: Biscuit tan Connolly hides
Vin:	SRX035372

salaburg (1)

Rolls-Royce

Silver Shadow II

1978

Rare Euro spec car

~ Presented as its “creator” intended ~

Beautifully presented in Highland green (metallic) with hand-painted gold fine-lines to the waist rails and hubcap beauty rings. Interior finished in biscuit tan Connolly hides.

This is a “Rest Of the World” (“ROW) or otherwise referred to as a European specification Shadow II and, as such, is manufactured to true Rolls-Royce designs. It has the correct specification chrome and rubber bumpers and not the over-protruding “5 mile an hour” bumpers developed for American standards. Stand back and look at profile pictures of Euro spec Silver Shadow IIs and you will see it has better lines with a more “integrated” look.

The car is also without the plethora of anti-pollution “add-ons” (which did very little) providing not only for more horse-power but less maintenance cost. The gas tank is located as per earlier Shadows with the filler cap on the right rear quarter panel as opposed to the left rear “C” pillar for all US-spec cars. Subtle differences include the plush Everflex-leather head-liner, dash padding and finer chrome and trimmings throughout the interior, as well as the exterior, which were not available on American cars.

Being a Euro car, it has a front air-dam (spoiler) fitted with Lucas fog lamps and covers in the front and rear red fog-lamps to the rear, with the number plate mounted below the front bumper and not on it. In 1978, Rolls-Royce offered headlight wipers and washers (with the brushes cut from the mains of English horses no less!) and this car has this feature as well. These are all unique to non-US specification cars.

The car was originally delivered in Switzerland and was subsequently transported to the US for private use some 20 years ago.

This car is well known to us as we cosmetically restored her for the previous owner some 2 years ago. This included a complete repaint in the original Highland Green colour and refinishing all the interior wood along with other minor issues. The paint finish was, and STILL IS, simply stunning. The car was completely stripped of all fittings with windows out and reassembled with all new rubbers, gaskets, clips, retainers and so on. The car came to us with the typical signs of an original paint job fading and starting to craze with imperfections as you would expect over some 45 odd years, but she was straight and clean, nonetheless. Now, she is truly and absolutely gorgeous.

The body presents laser straight and the paint without any of the signature lead wiping cracking evident. We all know this is inevitable in any Silver Shadow but if you are a perfectionist hoping to have a car without this, this one is probably your only choice. The colour "Highland" is a beautiful deep green that presents as a rich dark tree or fern green in bright sun but then takes on a very formal dark marine green appearance in subdue light and night-time. I have tried to capture this in my photographs with different lighting conditions. The colour is super stunning and not often seen in the US market.

The interior is in amazing condition with the leather immaculate. There are no rips, tears or fading. There are only the normal crease lines on the seats which occur naturally with Connolly hide leather. The leather shows the Connolly, Vaumol Luxan grain that was a key feature on Silver Shadow motor cars. A great welcome with true “original Vaumol leather” is the colour characteristics. If you look at the pictures of the interior, there are some close-up shots that clearly show the colour is not just plain tan, but with a “burnished” tone to the leather. You can see the rich ochre tan base and then in the fine natural grain and pores of the leather is a darker tone. This natural quasi “antique” leather look (like a Chesterfield couch) was achieved by the hand rubbing Vaumol Connollising technique that made this leather so famous. Leather that has been re-dyed by typical methods is “mono-toned” featuring only the 1 primary colour. As such, it lacks depth and richness that unrestored Connolly hide has to offer. This car has had some very minor leather touch-up but ever so little to ensure this original look is maintained.

The burr walnut wood throughout the car is stunning. Completely redone by Park-Ward in-house, it is simply perfect. The colour is deep, the grain rich and the finish smooth as glass. With the added bonus of a gift from Mother Nature, the burl walnut grain is very deep and detailed presenting a very rich grain. Absolutely stunning!

Carpets are clean and in good condition. On Euro spec cars, the headliner was never broadcloth wool but a nicer finish using “Ambla” (a high-end vinyl or leatherette material). The beauty of Ambla headliner is that looks like leather and remains as-new its whole life. This one is just that; as new. The dash top and forward roll are the same for Euro spec cars and always in black.

All items, functions and features are working as they should with the heater nice and warm and the A/C blowing icy cold.

Mechanically, the car has been workshop tested and any work carried out as required. This includes pressure testing the hydraulics, bleeding the brakes and ensuring all is working correctly. Various integral parts of the system have been overhauled as required with new hoses fitted. The car stops surely and firmly. The ride of this car is considerably better than an average example without any of the typical rattles, thumps or knocks often experienced on these models. Clearly, a well-maintained vehicle. The engine is very smooth and the lack of anti-pollution “add-ons” is evidenced by a noticeable increase in power compared to US specification cars. Mileage of 33,500 is not verifiable but is consistent with the condition of the car.

As you would expect of a Rolls-Royce of this calibre, she comes with a set of Avon Turbosteel whitewall tyres - simply the best tyre!

Notwithstanding its top mechanical condition, the car is subject to Park-Ward Motors’ unique “Predelivery Commissioning” process to ensure all major and minor services are up to date, with any maintenance that might be needed, done and all operational features like AC, windows, seats, lights and so on, review for correct and proper operation.

As you would expect, the car come with its original jack, tools and owner manual.

~~ This is beautiful condition Rolls-Royce Shadow II and a hard to find “pure” example of the marque given its European delivery. Notwithstanding its exceptional condition, it remains sensibly priced. ~~

International bidders are always welcome.

For extra photos on this fine example go to the link below.
The photos are of super high resolution so if you right click on any, you can zoom in and see every little detail and defect in considerable detail.

Click HERE to see many more photographs in hi-resolution