1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

‘DSU 163’ is a delightful Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II that left the factory finished in the regal colour of Silver Sand over Nutmeg, benefiting also from the rare front headrest option as part of the brown Connolly hide interior. 

(We say “rare’ because safety in cars wasn’t really a thing back in the seventies as those of us who grew up sliding around on a scorching vinyl bench seat in a fug of cigarette smoke can confirm.)

The Shadow’s last owner purchased it in 1990, hanging onto it for the next three decades, using it only sparingly until she put it into storage in 2017. 

It was recommissioned in June 2024 by marque specialists Thompson Garages Ltd when it remerged; we’ll talk about that in more detail later but it was a proper job given it ran up a £7,0000 bill.   

The seller bought it at auction a couple of years ago, unable to resist as it is finished in exactly the same colour scheme as the first Silver Shadow he bought when he had his first bit of success forty years ago.

Now in his seventies, he’s reluctantly decided he needs to thin his collection a bit and given he’s used this much less than some of the other Rolls-Royces in his collection, he feels now is the time to let someone else enjoy it.

As part of the Silver Shadow’s recommissioning, Thompson Garages gently revived the coachwork. The bill, which came to £1,706 for the bodywork alone, involved working on the nearside front wing and door, the nearside rear wing, and the front bumper closing panel. 

It looks resplendent now, in both condition and colour; all the shades of brown have seen a bit of a revival in recent years, and the attraction has never been clearer than this beautiful period two-tone combination.

Of course, the fact the panels are so neatly aligned helps, as does their dent- and dink-free status but the fact remains that if you’re going to buy a luxury car from the seventies a colour scheme like this adds nothing but charm and period authenticity.

Admire too the hand-painted pinstripes along the flanks; as the seller mentioned in conversation, this is one of those rare cars that just “looks right” from every angle.

The brightwork is all good too, including the iconic radiator shell and the Spirit of Ecstasy. We all have car-buying heuristics and a huge red flag for us is a mistreated or neglected radiator and/or bonnet ornament on a Rolls-Royce.

Another is the presence of matching and originally specified tyres, so it’s great to see that the front tyres, which were replaced in October 2024 with new/old stock Avon Turbosteels, match the ones fitted to the rear wheels. 

It comes as no surprise, that the lamp lenses are bright and free of cracks, the badges are shiny and undamaged, and the glazing is free of damage except for one small stonechip in the windscreen. 

Faults, therefore, are few. 

The offside front and nearside rear rubber bumper corners have the usual scuffs on them, the rear bumper rubber has a bulge in the middle, the rear screen rubber seal has perished, there are a few typical small bubbles in the paint near the handles of both front doors, and a rust spot at the base of the nearside A-pillar as well as the usual lead cracks in the paint at the base of the offside A-pillar.

The luxurious brown Connolly hide interior, which is piped in cream, includes a matching leather top and knee rolls in addition to the front headrests we mentioned in the introduction. All were expensive factory options in period. The standard finish to the dash being black plastic!

Our man describes the wood and leather as being in an “exceptional” condition, with only light creasing to the seat faces marring what would otherwise be a show-winning condition – and that’s before the true magnificence of the colour itself hits home.

It really is utterly lovely, both in execution and condition, with the quality of the walnut veneer being a highlight in a cabin that isn’t exactly short of noteworthy appointments.

Like the leather bound Wilton wool carpets, which are also in an excellent condition. 

The boot was retrimmed recently with a Blenheim Leaf trim pack, and the new overmats in the cabin are complementary Blenheim Autumn Leaf.

Those in the rear get to enjoy very good legroom, an even cleaner seat than the ones in front, walnut-framed mirrors in the C-pillars, and a pair of natty footrests. 

All the occupants get to enjoy lashings of heavy chrome controls and switches too, while the driver will appreciate the pencil-thin steering wheel; this is a saloon car you guide with nothing more than fingertip pressure; no muscling around bends with white knuckles clench around a fat-rimmed wheel for a Rolls-Royce driver…

They will also appreciate some of the cleanest and most stylish instruments and controls in the business; the cabin might seem a bit basic if you’re coming to it from a modern car but the Silver Shadow dates from a time when luxury was engineered and every interaction is a delight with a precisely calibrated precision and heft to every control.

Of course, other areas such as the door cards and headlining are all excellent, and there are even a few Easter eggs dotted throughout the cabin like the wonderfully of-the-period cassette storage rack that’s fitted between the front seats. 

The driver’s door shut also features a metal plaque from Romans and the rear window features a decal from the same firm, as does the rear numberplate and it’s nice to see all have survived intact. 

A modernish Clarion CD player is fitted in addition to what appears to be the original radio. The former almost certainly sounds better than the latter, but there’s no denying the radio the factory fitted is the more stylish of the two.

As for faults, the odometer doesn’t work, and we suspect the outside thermometer doesn’t read accurately either. There’s also a small stain on the offside of the rear transmission tunnel. 

Thompsons Garage, who recommissioned the Silver Shadow in 2024, carried out the following work:

• Replaced the fuel pumps and cleaned the fuel system, fitting new fuel hoses where necessary
• Fitted new spark plugs
• Stripped down the brake calipers to ensure the brakes work as they should
• Installed a new battery
• Recharged the air-conditioning system after fitting a good secondhand air-con pump
• The drive belts were also replaced, as was the alternator belt

The long-serving Crewe V8 engine fires into life with enthusiasm before settling into the sort of subdued idle you’d expect from such a civilised piece of machinery. It also shows decent oil pressure from the off, and a good charge to the battery.

However, there is an occasional squeal, which we think may be a slipping belt.

The engine bay looks to be nice and original, but were you to decide it would benefit from being cleaned and detailed plus, perhaps, refinishing some of the painted components, few would accuse you of being overly fussy.

As for the underside, it looks good and strong and while there is some typical surface rust on things like the spare wheel cradle and some of the steel suspension components, no MoT tester has ever mentioned serious structural corrosion, only referring to “slight corrosion under the body” as advisories in 2016 and 2017. 

Indeed, the Silver Shadow’s MoT, which is valid until October 2026, was issued with no advisories, just like the one before.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes the often lost plastic wallet that contains the owner’s handbook and the stamped service history booklet, invoices for the recommissioning, and some old MoT certificates.

This is not a car that will appeal to everyone. 

If, for example, you’ve ever contemplated having a Viper Green wrap, or a chameleon flip paint job, then this probably isn’t for you.

But, if you hanker after a quieter, gentler time it might be – and if you watch reruns of The Sweeney and Smiley’s People then it definitely will be: a Bristol might have it beaten for handbuilt elegance but then a Bristol would set you back many multiples of our guide price for this fastidiously maintained and presented Silver Shadow II. 

Because we suspect the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £10,000 and £15,000 but as the seller has sufficient confidence in his car to offer it with no reserve, it’s going to see no matter what.

Elegance and presence have never been more affordable.

Even better, as Classic Cars write in this month’s issue: “knowing that its darkest days have passed, it’s a safe place for your money as the only way now is up.”

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.