Vehicle Description
What can you say about this stunning combination Silver Shadow II
finished in 2-tone Claret (non-metallic dark red) over Garnet
(non-metallic port wine colour) with hand-painted fine lines in
gold to the waist lines and the hubcap beauty rings. The Connolly
interior is finished in cream/light tan with rich burgundy piping.
The interior makes for a striking combination with the exterior.
This Silver Shadow II was sold new in Beverly Hills, California and
resided in California its whole life ~ until now ~ so she is dry
and clean throughout. It is an original presenting example owned
for many years by a private enthusiast who regularly maintained the
car. It was recently lightly restored by the Park-Ward Motor Museum
- a nation-wide leader in Rolls-Royce restoration with some 40
years Rolls-Royce and Bentley experience. This Shadow II is 100%
rust-free, very straight and the paint is primarily factory
original presenting in good clean condition. The finish is
consistent, very shiny and deep lustered. It does have the
"lead-wiping" marks in the usual places (base of A and C pillars).
Rolls-Royce used a lead filling process to join body panels and
over time, the different expansion and contraction properties of
lead vs steel vs paint causes these fracture marks. Any and all
Silver Shadows have this symptom. The fine lines are hand-painted
"craftsman of the art" to the waist-rails and hubcap beauty trim
rings. The Connolly leather is in excellent condition throughout
without any notable marks or blemishes. It is finished in light
cream with rich blood red piping. Rolls-Royce used a stunningly
unique Connolly hide called "Vaumol" on Silver Shadow. It has NEVER
been redyed so still shows its "toned" finish which is the original
Connolly burnishing method unique only to Vaumol. If you look at
the pictures of the interior, there are some close up shots clearly
showing the colour is not just plain light tan, but with a
"burnished" tone to the leather. You can see the light tan base and
then in the fine natural grain of the leather is a darker tone.
This natural quasi "antique" leather look (like a Chesterfield
couch) was achieved by the hand rubbing Vaumol leather technique
that made Connolly leather so famous and for which its name now
describes the correct procedure for refinishing leather -
"Connollising". Leather that has been re-dyed by typical methods is
"mono-toned" featuring only the 1 primary colour. Please, if you
like leather that you would see in a new Lexus then you will not
appreciate this. Furthemore, purists pay big money for un-touched
Vaumol hide so please do not ask us to dye as we will politely
decline. The burl walnut wood finishes are all original and have
never been redone. This is further testament to the cosseted life
this Shadow II has had. The wood is excellent and presents well
with only the most minimal hairline fractures in the finish. Once
again, very typical for Rolls-Royce of the era, but these are so
minimal, we elected to not refinish and keep it original. The wood
in this car is the Milanese deep burl walnut finish option and is
breath-taking. I think it is difficult not to describe the interior
as anything less than striking! Please have a look at the photo
link of the many close-ups of the leather. The dash is good with no
leather pulling around the vents and the headliner very "clean".
The Westminster carpets are in fine condition and come with a set
of lambswool mouton "over-rugs" for their protection. The boot
(trunk) carpet with the same beige theme is also in good condition.
All glass, chrome and bright work are excellent. All lights,
instruments, features and functions are in working order.
Mechanically, the car has been subject to the 30 year service and
restoration experience of the Park-Ward Motor Museum's private
workshop and trained RR mechanics and craftsmen. Like every other
car delivered by Park-Ward it comes with everything in excellent
working and operating cond
