1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow - SOLD
     
  • Overview & History
  • Specifications
  • Image Gallery
99% of the public won’t know just how affordable this car really is, but they will definitely recognize that the man behind the wheel is a man of means and taste.

There is simply no place in the world where you can drive this Rolls-Royce and not be recognized as somebody important. The archetypal ultra-luxury car, the 1970s Silver Shadow came to represent the best of the best, the very pinnacle of success, and a lifestyle to which everyone aspired but few could achieve. Today, the financials have changed, as these cars are remarkably affordable, but the image remains, and the man driving this handsome yet understated sedan is always going to be respected and envied.

Of course, this 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow wears a very un-1970s color combination, making it a timelessly elegant car that will look just as good in another 40 years as it does today. The Rolls’s understated good looks are quintessentially British, where good taste trumps flash and aside from the Volkswagen Beetle, this might be the most recognizable car in the universe. As you’d expect, build quality is exquisite and time does nothing to diminish that fact. The doors not only open and close easily, but they have a heft and solidity to them that no other car can match. Fit and finish are excellent, and while this car has been repainted, it was in the original silver livery and the final product is likely quite close to how this car looked when it was new. There are, of course, a few signs of use and age, a few chips and nicks here and there, but there’s no denying this car has presence. And while a lot of cars wear chrome trim to excess, the Rolls-Royce carries just enough to dress it up without being ostentatious. There’s the traditional grille up front, complete with Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, early-style bumpers that fit tight to the body, and a single strip of brightwork along the flanks, as if to emphasize the car’s great length. Even viewed from the rear, the Silver Shadow is unmistakable, especially with the large “RR” emblem on the trunk lid.

But it’s the interior where the Silver Shadow truly shines, coddling driver and passenger in a way that only the British seem to have mastered. This particular car has lovely black leather hides piped in red, which is a bit rakish for Rolls-Royce but it really makes a statement. The hides have been recently and expensively restored (not replaced) so they retain their original look and feel, because there’s just nothing else like Connolly leather. The carpets are new, too, and are so plush that you feel like you sink in up to your ankles and yes, it does have a full set of ultra-plush floor mats to match. The woodwork was also restored, including the garnish moldings on the doors and the real burled walnut dashboard, which is just beautifully finished. All the switches and knobs are heavy chrome-plated metal pieces, not plastic, so they feel incredibly substantial and for the most part, everything is easy to use once you get acquainted with the layout, which is admittedly a bit esoteric. The bit two-spoke steering wheel seems plain and simple in such a luxurious car, but it, too, has a substantial heft to it while the shifter is merely an electric switch that manages the transmission, so changing gears is always effortless. The A/C has just been serviced and there’s an updated AM/FM/cassette stereo in the center of the dash to go with what appears to be the original radio lower in the center console, a curious arrangement that we’ve seen on other Rolls-Royces. Everything works: seats, windows, gauges, lights, mirrors, all of it, making this a car you can drive with confidence. Better yet, there’s a massive back seat with matching red footrests and a gargantuan trunk that’s just as beautifully trimmed.

Rolls-Royce never published the actual horsepower of the 6.75-liter OHV V8 engine (which is still in service in today’s turbocharged Bentleys), but merely referred to its output as “adequate.” In 1972, they used a pair of Stromberg side-draft carburetors up on top of the engine, and they seem as trouble-free as you’re going to get in a Rolls-Royce. Nicely tuned, this one starts easily and never gets fussy, again a testament to the quality of the recent service work, with receipts that add up to nearly $9000. It looks complex under the hood, what with all the wires, hoses, and fittings, but the hardware is incredibly robust and it isn’t unusual for a Rolls-Royce of this vintage to travel hundreds of thousands of miles with only the recommended maintenance. Of course, maintenance is the thing with these cars, and it always pays to buy one that has been properly cared for, and this car includes a fairly comprehensive set of receipts for a great deal of service work, so it is in top mechanical condition today. The engine bay is tidy and clean, and you may spot more than a few familiar pieces of hardware, as even the legendary Rolls-Royce was dipping into the General Motors parts bin for things like the A/C system and Saginaw power steering pump. That’s good news, because it makes these parts easy to service and relatively inexpensive.

The transmission, of course, is a General Motors TH400 3-speed automatic, which is virtually indestructible and easy to service. It’s been slightly recalibrated for Rolls-Royce duty and shifts almost imperceptibly on the open road. The chassis looks strong enough to be for a railroad car, not just an automobile, and it’s interesting to see a fully independent suspension and massive 4-wheel disc brakes under a car like this. You’ll note the amazingly complex exhaust system with its various different-shaped resonators is new (an expensive piece all by itself), and while the undercarriage is a little grungy, it remains solid and structurally sound, so this Rolls rides and handles properly. The standard steel wheels wear simple hubcaps, another Rolls-Royce tradition, and it has been fitted with brand new 235/70/15 Goodyear whitewall radials that have less than 100 miles on them.

With great documentation, fantastic colors, and pleasant driving manners, this Rolls-Royce represents a tremendous amount of luxury and prestige for the price of a 2-year-old Hyundai. 99% of the public won’t know just how affordable this car really is, but they will definitely recognize that the man behind the wheel is a man of means and taste. Few cars can command the respect of a Silver Shadow and if you like the luxury it represents, there aren’t many better ways to get from point A to point B. Call today!

Vehicle: 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 113113
Odometer Reading: 8281
VIN: SRA14310
Engine: 6.75 litre V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Gear Ratio: 3.08
Wheelbase: 119.5 inches
Wheels: 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
Tires: 235/70/15 Goodyear radial
Exterior Color: Silver Metallic
Interior Color: Black leather
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