1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1a – A nice useable example with super history

When the Silver Shadow first wafted out of Crewe in 1965 (at a cost of circa £130,000 in todays money) it achieved a number of ‘firsts’ for Rolls Royce. The first unibody-constructed car, independent rear suspension & disc brakes on all four corners to name a few – a significant improvement on the aging Cloud III, it also offered a self levelling hydro pneumatic suspension system (licensed from Citroen) offering an even comfier and more luxurious drive than previous Rolls Royce’s.
Launched with a 6.2 V8, later offered with a 6.75 litre, and driven through a super smooth GM 4-speed automatic gearbox, they offered the height of luxury and motoring sophistication and led the charge for what became the now predominantly self-drive Rolls Royce.
Whilst the Series I -v- II hoohar rumbles on, there is a ‘best of both worlds’ option; the much applauded Shadow 1a. Technically a late Shadow I, they enjoyed a number of Series II driving upgrades whilst retaining more of the Series I looks; combining the flared arches, Lucas spotlights and chrome bumpers only seen on a 1a.
Whilst there is no shortage of Silver Shadows on the market, good examples are becoming harder to find and are now more desirable than ever, the Silver Shadow is at last having a renaissance and becoming the ‘Rolls to have’, gracing any serious collection as well as being a much loved useable classic.
As well as being a wonderful luxurious motor car it is also mechanically sound; starts on the button – runs, drives and crucially stops as it should with no issues whatsoever and delightfully copes with modern traffic as you would expect.
The Silver Sand over Walnut bodywork is straight and in good order, with no evidence of the dreaded arch and sill corrosion and the panel fit is good with no dings or dents. The paint is showing age related imperfections & would benefit from some tidying up to make it mint whilst being perfectly useable as it is. The brightwork is in great condition, without the usual ‘tired’ look & it’s sitting on the correct wheels & Avon tyres.
The interior is in super condition with excellent wood, carpets and seats plus both front & rear head restraints, rear vanity mirrors, footstools & armrest.
This example has enjoyed regular but careful use, and running them regularly does keep them sharp, this car has also been MOT’d well beyond its legal age and has enjoyed a sensible maintenance programme without any corner cutting; it pleasingly and unusually rides on the correct Avon Turbospeed tyres.
The speedo currently shows 6,900 miles but due to a documented speedo change (not uncommon) and using MOT and service records dating back to 1989, it would seem to have covered circa 63,000 miles.
Originally supplied by Kennings of Sheffield it was later sold by Bauer & Millets of Manchester and unusually retains its original and complete bookpack and factory handbook from 1976.
This is a super, honest example of a useable Shadow that has been properly looked after and not ‘messed about with’; even the correct and original Blaupunkt cassette player and separate radio are in situ.

Please contact me for more information or to arrange a viewing.