For Sale: 1973 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow in Torrance, California

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely striking and obviously exceptionally well maintained and very collectible example of this rare 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, a long term single family owned car since new with reportedly only 60K original miles and finished a beautiful 'British Racing Green' repaint with its original 'Fawn' color 'Connolly' leather hides interior and with matching Rolls Royce hubcaps and full sheeprug carpeting and rear foot rests.STUNNING 1973 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW AND OWNED ALMOST FROM NEW & FOR MANY YEARS BY THE RENOWN RAOUL 'SONNY' BALCAEN BEFORE BEING ACQUIRED BY HIS CLOSE & LONG TIME FRIEND AFTER HIS SUDDEN PASSING IN 2024.CARROLL SHELBYS PRIMARY MECHANICAL FIRST CHOICE & LONG TIME CLOSE FRIEND.SERVICED PRIMARILY SINCE NEW BY SONNY & HIS CLOSE ENGLISH FRIEND CHARLIE AGAPIOU OF THE LEGENDARY WEST HOLLYWOOD SERVICE SHOP, CARROLL SHELBY'S & KEN MILES OTHER CLOSE LONG TIME FRIEND AND MECHANIC, Raoul 'Sonny' Balcaen grew up in Los Angeles at a time when it was becoming the epicentre of American motor racing, nurturing a vast talent pool of people whose influence has echoed through to today.As a teenager, he successfully competed with his home-built Top Fuel dragster during the formative years of the sport. With Lance Reventlow, he worked on the famous Scarab sports cars and was standing in the dyno room when the teams all-American Formula 1 engine was fired up for the first time. A period as Jim Halls crew chief and a close association with Carroll Shelby added to the know-how that guided him towards becoming a successful entrepreneur and led to all that followed.  Aged 17, Balcaen built his own Top Fuel drag racer, the Bantamweight Bomb, which he developed relentlessly and drove to many successes. His role in the fabulous Scarab sports cars the landmark all-American racers and insights into life with their creator, the incomparable Lance Reventlow.Working as crew chief to the brilliant Jim Hall, preparing and running his Lotus Eleven and Lister-Chevrolet long before the famous Chaparrals emerged.A second spell with Scarab, this time with the Formula 1 project the first American Grand Prix car plus a special job for Reventlow converting a Scarab sports racer into a street car. Onwards into setting up his own successful business, IECO (Induction Engineering Co), to create and sell high-grade performance and appearance accessories, with Chevrolets especially Corvair and Vega featuring strongly.His many-faceted dealings with Carroll Shelby, leading to consultancy and even assignments as occasional Shelby American company pilot.Along the way he was to be associated with all the other big names of the era, including Chuck Daigh, Bruce Kessler, Warren Olson, Dick Troutman, Tom Barnes, Phil Remington, Ken Miles, Leo Goossen, Jim Travers, Frank Coon, Ed Donovan and Pete BrockThe  striking 'British racing Green' color paintwork is in extraordinary condition and the interior is also in virtually flawless condition throughout with its original leather seats and walnut woodwork. The leather dashboard is also original and in exceptional condition (always garaged from the sun) and the original mohair wool headliner is still virtually as new. The original and magnificent burled walnut woodwork is also in very fine condition throughout. All the power options and electric windows are working as they should as is the air conditioning.These cars are not slow and the engine purrs like a kitten, never stalls or idles rough and is extremely reliable - there is plenty of power to pull away at the lights and it cruises at high speeds with absolute ease. The transmission shift is almost imperceptibly smooth and the temperature always remains cool.The Silver Shadow cost an almost impossibly expensive $19,700 when introduced in 1965, more than three times as much as its contemporary US luxury sedan, the Cadillac Sedan de Ville and yet it was an absolute sensation with everyone from heads of state to captains of industry and celebrities around the world wanting to be seen owning one! Despite the increased production from Rolls Royce's earlier models, demand could not be met and there was a two year waiting list meaning that some enterprising individuals ordered, purchased and immediately resold these cars at a profit to someone lacking the patience for Crewe's two year wait! Rolls Royce eventually increased production to meet demand and by the end of the Silver Shadow run in 1980 there was a plentiful supply of used models available which has until recently kept the market prices down on these luxurious cars. But with fewer and fewer unabused and well maintained models being left available, with many having fallen victim to negligent owners who deferred the necessary maintenance, a stunning and obviously well maintained example like this particular car is sure to prove a very astute investment for any classic Rolls Royce or Bentley enthusiast. Most enthusiasts will agree that a good rule of thumb with any Silver Shadow is to buy the best you can afford!It is truly a sensual car that you can drive with your fingertips, smooth and relatively silent, it's thoroughly therapeutic for both drivers and passengers. The delightful precision action of the electrically powered steering column gear change and the ultra light weighted power steering allows one to park this 5000lbs of pure luxury with literally one finger and this long but actually quite slender car is anything but ponderous thanks to it's torque and brilliant turning radius!This particular model drives particularly well and must be driven to be fully appreciated. Without a doubt you will look long and hard to find a finer example of this all original rare and very collectible and super striking 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, obviously always garaged with no accidents and no rust and always owned since new by obviously only very particular owners - never abused!For those who are unfamiliar, Rolls Royce no longer exists as it had for over one hundred years. This is the last in the original line of cars hand built in the legendary Rolls Royce factory in Crewe, England with a quality and craftsmanship that far surpasses that of today's mass produced models with many BMW parts - this is indeed a rare opportunity to own a piece of automotive history, from a time when Rolls Royce was truly building the world's finest automobiles - a great investment for the Rolls Royce enthusiast or collector or simply an outstandingly striking example of a very rare and unusual looking Rolls Royce for the discerning luxury classic car owner!