1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

Our handsome looking Silver Shadow II left the Crewe factory in September 1979 and was first registered on the 21st of the same month and year. The SRH prefixed chassis number confirms it as a right-hand drive home market model. The accompanying paperwork reveals that the car was supplied new on that same September day by Jack Barclay Rolls-Royce of Oxford.

The subsequent 25 years saw the Shadow II in the stewardship of three registered keepers. The service records suggest the car remained in the Oxford area for a few years before crossing the English Channel to take up residence in the Bailiwick of Guernsey with its second keeper. Here it appeared to stay until around 1999, with the 62 square kilometres of the island perhaps accounting for its modest 30,000 miles covered by that point. By January of 1999 it was back on the mainland and residing in Cheshire.

Current owner, Norman, acquired the Shadow II in 2004 to become only the car’s fourth registered keeper. At this point the six digit odometer (a new feature for the Shadow II) was thought to read 50,000 miles or so. In the intervening 20 years Norman has added around a further 15,000 to that total bringing today’s reading to 67,140 miles equating to an average of just under 1,500 miles per year.

Our example looks particularly eye-catching in its Chestnut livery, a new hue made available for the Shadow II. The Beige Everflex roof seems to work to lower the roofline and contrasts admirably in hue and texture to the gleaming paintwork. An important Rolls Royce differentiator, the Shadow’s paintwork was applied by hand in 14 separate coats.

That Chestnut paintwork is a metallic shade and retains plenty of visible metal flake content. Given the car’s age it appears to be surprisingly blemish free which bodes well for its past treatment.  The bodywork looks equally well presented with no note-worthy dents, dings or deformations in evidence. The condition of the Everflex roof, which is more vulnerable to ultra-violet discolouration, looks to be excellent, too.

The front of the car is a particular highlight of the Shadow II’s design. The famous Pantheon grill dominates, of course, topped with the enigmatic Spirit of Ecstasy in common with all Rolls Royce grills since 1911. Our car is late enough to benefit from the fitment of the to-and-fro headlamp wiper set up as well. The redesigned rubber and polyurethane trimmed bumpers exhibit the odd scuff in places.

Add into this sophisticated combination the 15-inch steel wheels disguised behind the chromed and body colour painted hub caps complete with central “RR” embossing and circular gold coachline. These are shod with a matching set of Cooper Lifeliner tyres in the correct 235/70 configuration and featuring a subtle, thin whitewall detail.

Rolls-Royce were justly proud of the full eight hides of finest Connolly leather required to trim the cabin of the Shadow II. The interior of our car appears to be in a highly original condition and, as such, looks sublime with just a modicum of use related patina noted. This appears limited to a little fading of the Beige leather on the driver’s door card and to the tops of the front seats. The rear bench appears admirably pristine suggesting less use than the fronts. 

The highly luxurious ambiance is further enhanced by a thicket’s worth of walnut veneer which graces the dashboard fascia, door tops and rear vanity mirror surrounds. The condition of this is very good and it exhibits a pleasing gloss varnished finish throughout.

The light, deep Wilton carpets appear to be original and present very well, as does the light coloured, fabric headlining. The familiar and most welcome carpeted, wedge-shaped footrests are present in the rear. The dashboard is populated with the familiar white on black gauges and chromed switches and buttons. In a charming Rolls Royce quirk, the two main instruments are made by Jaeger whilst the clock and outside temperature items are VDO. The original, large but slender two spoke steering wheel is present. The original Blaupunkt push button long, medium and VHF wave radio is present as is a later Sony cassette / CD changer head unit.

The large boot is trimmed with matching light Wilton carpet. The original jack and tool roll are also in evidence here as is a retrofitted 10 CD Sony changer unit.

Initially the Silver Shadow carried forward the L410 6.2L V8 engine from the Silver Cloud. By 1970, however, the capacity was increased to 6,750cc and this was mated to the three speed, widely used THM (Turbo Hydra Matic) gearbox. This configuration was carried forward wholesale into the Shadow II. The fitment of a rack and pinion steering set up, however, was all new and revelatory. For many years Rolls-Royce had cited their “sneeze test” as good reason to fit ancient and unresponsive steering systems. The idea being that a sudden, involuntary movement (such as a sneeze) would not send your steed careening into the nearest hedge. In reality even significant, voluntary movements didn’t elicit much response either. That all changed with the Shadow II, making it the first model for 50 years that was, literally, “a decent steer.”

The under-bonnet presentation of the Shadow II appears highly original and in fine overall order if as chaotic looking as all V8 L410 bays. It is clean and straight, and all the expected data plates appear present and correct and even the highly effective, ribbed under bonnet insulation is in great shape. Only the slightly sub-par look of the hydraulic fluid reservoir shows the car’s age. The underside of the car looks admirably straight, leak free and well presented. Plenty of preservative, original underseal appears to remain.

There is a good paperwork file associated with our Silver Shadow II. The V5 registration document is present in the name of the current owner. This categorises the Rolls as an Historic Vehicle and, as such, MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. Despite this the car holds an advisory free MoT which is valid until May 2025. A look at the MoT history back to 2006 confirms that the only advisory items ever awarded were due to worn tyres. Very reassuring.

The original book pack is on hand which includes the instructive service record. This records services from 1979 up to 2003 at around 50,000 miles across a total of 20 entries. Perhaps the best read, however, will be the booklet snappily titled “Information for a Customer taking delivery of a new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II or Bentley T2 motor car.” The word “customer” warranting a capital C in this case.

Inevitably, perhaps, as the last and most developed of the breed the Silver Shadow II is undoubtably the best to drive. The change to rack and pinion steering finally put the icing on what was already a truly delicious and well baked cake. As such, those in the know will seek out the Shadow II as both the rarer and most useable of the Shadows.

This example is a gem by any measure. Low mileage, low owners and beautifully presented are three great places to start. Add in its highly original condition and continuous service history to around 50,000 miles and you have a Silver Shadow II that offers a highly compelling package to those seeking the optimum Silver Shadow ownership experience.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.