Vehicle Description
This is an amazingly well restored Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Fixed
Head Coupe ("FHC") by HJ Mulliner, Park-Ward. Finished in dark
blue, a deep midnight blue non-metallic colour, she is paired up
with beige Connolly leather interior. The car is finished with a
single hand-painted grey fine-line on the body waist-line and
hubcap beauty rings. It is an extremely handsome colour combination
with the dark blue presenting as a rich blue under sun light but
then transforms into a deep midnight blue and almost black hue in
lower light and at night time, giving the car a very formal look.
The light tan leather contrasts the rich blue exquisitely.
Rolls-Royce FHCs are becoming a rare find in any condition let
alone like this one, and are becoming more and more sought-after by
collectors. This one is an extra fine, fully restored example that
would suit both the connoisseur driver and collector. Our museum
purchased the car in early 2022. It was a very straight, clean body
and interior example that had been out of action but professionally
stored for many years. We embarked upon a sympathetic restoration
to bring her to what she is today. The car was completely stripped
and body prepared for repaint. In that process, we came across zero
rust in the body panels with no signs of previous repair. The
repaint was done in modern paint methods of clear over base and
correctly (*and painstakingly) wet-sanded to the correct
factory-look flat-as-glass appearance. We could not be happier with
the final result. In re-assembly all new rubbers and gaskets were
used including those for windshield & rear glass and tread steps.
Along with brand new bumpers and over-riders, factory correct Lucas
head lights and lenses (the rear lamps are brand new old stock).
All bright work was polished before re-fitting. In contrast, the
interior of the car was already in excellent original condition.
The leather has never been replaced or repaired and remains soft
and supple. The leather was/is so perfect, we have not touched it
other than add hide-food. 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. There
can be no question that nicely patina'd factory Connolly Vaumol
hide with Luxan grain is deliciously beautiful. (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 this as, very respectfully,
we will not do so. Purists would pay good money to have restored
cars with leather like this!) The only interior aspect we restored
was the wood, and what a fantastic result this choice has returned.
The richness in the burl walnut throughout leaves me in awe and
aghast to the point I can say, with all confidence; it is the best
interior wood I have seen in any of my Rolls-Royces over the last
45 years! It is simply exquisite and is singularly the most
outstanding interior feature of this coupe. Every single part was
refinished; the dash, door cappings, window surrounds front & rear,
and rear � glass surrounds and ashtray units all refinished to the
highest gloss and glass-like finish. They are literally flawless
presenting with such richness and truly blessed by an amazing
contribution of Mother Nature offering the best of rich detailed
knots, grains and diversity of burl walnut like no other. All
presented and finished by artisanship at its finest. All gauges,
instruments and switch gear are in superb condition. The car sports
its original specification Motorola push-button radio. The interior
is finished off with a brand new set of lambswool mouton overlay
rugs to the front and rear. The brand new rich royal blue Wilton
wool carpeting we added to the boot area is a lovely touch that
adds a sense of formality to an otherwise somewhat utili
