Vehicle Description
This is a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow saloon by HJ Mulliner
Park-Ward. The model is often referred to as a Fixed Head Coupe
("FHC"). This example is of one of the last made, later to be
renamed and produced as the "Corniche". FHCs are becoming a rare
find in this condition and are becoming more and more sought by
collectors. This one is a very fine early chrome bumper example
that suits both the connoisseur driver and collector. An
interesting history to the cars first owner who special ordered
her; Mr Clark Hartwell. He was the inventor of a special release
mechanism used in aircraft cockpit covers in WWII aircraft and a
system later adopted throughout many aviation latch mechanisms
(even those latches in aircraft over-head storage compartments).
His invention went on to be further adapted by NASA and as such, Mr
Hartwell was invited to attend and witness the launch of Apollo 11
and its subsequent lunar landing. He special ordered this
Rolls-Royce with many options and personal touches. The colour;
specifically chosen by Mr Hartwell was never used elsewhere and an
interesting tit-bit is on the build sheets, it is simply referred
to as "green", with no specific name. Another noteworthy "special
order" on this coupe, is the "wrinkle paint" finish to interior
door handles, window switches and various door hardware, along with
the centre ash-tray. It was formally referred to as "Black
spreckle". An unusual addition which, although perhaps not to
everyone's taste is a very unique touch. These, of course, could
easily be swapped out to the regular chrome finish ones. Further
factory additions were the passenger side mounted fire extinguisher
and the Lucas "Flamethrower" yellow high beam headlights. These are
all things better appreciated when you identify with the Mr Clark
Hartwell's aviation background. All of the options are well
documented in the car's order and build sheets. A final "special
request" by Mr Hartwell when purchasing the car, he requested that
it be subject to a 1,000 mile road test before being shipped ~
something one might only expect from a person associated with the
aviation industry and its rigorous attention to safety and
performance. Mr Hartwell paid extra for this special attention. The
exterior "green" is paired up with green Connolly leather interior
with matching carpets and floor rugs. The car is finished with
hand-painted single dark green fine-line on the body waist-line.
The color is an unusual but stunningly elegant combination. The
body on the car is straight and the paint is very nice. It was a
California car for most of its life and then spent the last ten
years in Texas as part of a private collection. Most of the paint
is original, it appears, and is in excellent condition. It presents
high in luster, very glossy and no signs of any over-spray on any
externally fitted part. The interior of the car is in stunning
condition with completely original Connolly hide leather. The
leather has never been replaced, repaired or re-dyed. You can see
the original Vaumol hide with its characteristic "burnishing" in
the leather grain (this is always lost with aftermarket re-dying -
see pic). The leather is soft and supple. It displays a very
warming patina that is very natural in its presentation ("patina"
does not mean tired, worn or ripped!), elegantly presenting the
natural creases in the leather and regularly used areas like
arm-rests and seat edges. Very much like an expensive and antique
chesterfield couch. If you like 'as-new' leather like that in a new
Lexus, then this not for you. And please; do not ask us to refinish
the leather as we will politely decline from doing so. It is simply
so beautiful as she stands. Purists would pay good money to have
restored cars with leather like this! All the wood is in excellent
condition with dash and door cappings having recently been redone
by Park-Ward. The wood was not "bad" but it did show signs of
crazing, rather typical with early
