Vehicle Description
Despite what you see on TV and in movies, the Rolls-Royce Silver
Shadow II is still the ultimate display of wealth. Not "just won
the lottery" wealth, not "NBA rookie" wealth, but the kind of
old-school money that extends back generations. No other car quite
delivers the heavy-duty wallet slap that this long-wheelbase 1971
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow does and you don't have to worry, because
we won't tell anyone just how affordable it really is.
Rolls-Royce would have painted your Shadow any color you wanted,
but they really preferred subtlety to flash, and this handsome
two-tone Silver Shadow is about as flashy as it gets. Still in
great condition, it has a soft gloss that looks expensive and
doesn't hide any bodywork or accident repairs. And as you'd expect
from the world's finest automaker, the gaps are tight, the
sheetmetal simply FEELS substantial, and the finish work is
exemplary. It's not perfect, not after 45 years, but this is still
a very impressive motorcar. Nobody else does chrome as well as the
British, either, with just the right amount to imply wealth and
sophistication without going overboard, so you get a tidy strip
along the sides of the body, simple bumpers, and, of course, that
towering Rolls-Royce grille shell that is perhaps the most
definitive in all of motoring history. No goofy padded roof, no
dated 1970s colors, and no questionable repairs make this car an
A-list celebrity, even today.
The gorgeous Delta Blue interior is understated and beautifully
done, and you should know that Connolly leather was prized by
motoring enthusiasts as far back as the 1910s. Aside from some
light wear on the driver's seat, the interior is in exemplary
condition for its age and showcases genuine hand craftsmanship and
the finest natural materials in the world. The wool carpets are
deeper and plusher than the stuff in your living room and
everything that looks like wood really IS wood, all cut from the
same tree to ensure uniformity of color and grain and recently
restored to a brilliant gloss. Everything was standard, too,
including electric windows and locks, A/C, cruise control, and
power seats, which for 1971 was quite a list of features. The
original AM/FM radio remains in the dash and is augmented by a
hidden Kenwood AM/FM/CD head unit with upgraded speakers, but
otherwise it is factory-original and splendidly maintained. Even
the trunk is outfitted with plush, expensive carpets that are bound
in leather, more proof that good taste knows no boundaries.
The massive "six-and-three-quarter" liter V8 engine runs superbly
thanks to a comprehensive mechanical restoration by Donald Lower
Coachworks. That work included the engine, transmission, brakes,
hydraulics, and A/C system. It couldn't have been an inexpensive
task given the complexity of the machinery, but it does mean that
you can enjoy this car without worries. As the saying goes, an
inexpensive Rolls-Royce is the most expensive car you can own, so
keeping this one in top condition will cost you far less than
bringing a broken one back from the dead. In truth, these are truly
reliable machines in their own right and the brawny V8 moves the
big sedan without apparent effort. The GM-sourced TH400 3-speed
automatic transmission is, of course, bulletproof and the fully
independent suspension with disc brakes all around gives this
5500-pound luxury sedan rather agile handling. Most importantly,
the complex braking system was completely serviced, and the
underside looks as though it's spent its life someplace warm.
205/75/15 Uniroyal whitewall radials have been fitted and the
understated hubcaps are the smart choice.
Look like a millionaire for pennies on the dollar, but you may also
find that this is a fun car that's quite enjoyable to own if you
love to drive. Call today!
