This is a spectacular and beautiful condition Silver Shadow Long Wheel Base (“LWB”) with factory division. Finished in the very quintessential combination of Astrakhan (non-metallic sable) with beige Connolly hides in the front section and English cloth in the rear. It has craftsman hand-painted fine lines to the waistlines finished in a highlighting gold. The colour combination and the cloth interior in the rear is rare and is very formal in its presentation.
Rolls-Royce made only a very limited number of “limousine” division cars and on special order. Less than 500 out of some 35,000 Silver Shadows built. The divisions were only fitted on Long Wheel Base cars providing electrically operated privacy glass between the front and rear compartment with a separate radio and entirely autonomous air conditioning system mounted in the boot that provided overwhelming climate control for its special VIP rear seat passengers. The division system includes a unique piece of burl walnut wood that traverses the width of the division and surrounds the radio and control section. The glass division can be operated independently by the driver or the rear seat passengers.
The car has been in the hands of the right owners most of its life having been caretaken in more recent years by a small car collector enthusiast who hardly used it and simply admired it. It was acquired from his estate. The car has undergone considerable maintenance and when we received the car, it needed little more than an up to date service and attention to minor issues. It was/is in otherwise excellent condition with considerable money spent on recent maintenance of its hydraulics, brakes and general mechanicals.
The exterior of the car is predominantly original, very straight, clean and dent/ding free. There is not a spot of rust on the car nor its underside. The Everflex top appears to have been replaced sometime in the last few years and in 100% factory presentation. The paint is entirely consistent in colour, finish and lustre – truly lovely – and the combination simply OUTSTANDING. The exterior of the car presents absolutely beautifully with all finishes, rubbers, gaskets, glass, bright-work, lenses, hub-caps and the chrome in excellent condition.
The fine lines on the car had been polished thru over the years so were reapplied in the same manner as Rolls-Royce did so to all its cars for many years; a trained craftsmen with a good eye and steady hand. With only the best squirrel hair brush the striping is applied entirely free-hand in one elegant stroke at a time.
The interior of the car presents beautifully, and shows in amazing condition. This car has the very rare combination of leather in the front section and English cloth in the rear. This was a special factory option carrying over from the days when leather was considered practical for functional purposes and cloth for luxury and comfort. The Connolly leather in the front was redone some 8 years ago and the craftmanship is impeccable. The choice of correct leather and stitching is entirely factory correct. Of course, it now presents without any unsightly wear marks nor tears and displays very clean ~ and super supple. The rear English cloth is like brand new and very cosseting to sit in. The headliner was also redone and in correct broad-cloth wool imported from the UK and is literally brand new in presentation.
The African burl walnut wood is in excellent presentation with the door cappings having also been redone at a cost of some $2,000. The dash and console are original and shows only some very small hairline fractures in the clear lacquer. We do not believe it needs redoing as it present very well, but for the perfectionist, please note we are America’s leading Rolls-Royce wood refinishers so we can do it for you. This process mimics the original Crewe factory process of 20+ individually applied coats of clear lacquer each wet-sanded and hand rubbed between coats to bring it to the final glass like finish – a formula adopted by us straight from the craftsman at Crewe. On this Shadow, the wood sports a very rich ochre grain with interesting blends of soft marbelling in the outer regions complemented by a plain burl at the inner/centre areas. Such is the beauty of natural wood that Mother Nature can bring us something so beautiful and with the bonus that it is unique to this one Silver Shadow Division. Only Rolls-Royce can deliver such elegance.
Door panels, interior chrome-work, gauges and instruments are all in very fine condition. The rear carpets in the car also new in correct Wilton wool with matching high quality leather on the binding. The pictures show the car with moutons in the front. If you are interested in a complete set throughout, please enquire as these can be supplied at a fair price. The dash pad is perfect and the rear parcel shelf redone new with the headliner.
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The trunk presents perfectly; clean and crisp like the rest of the car. Tyres are Michelin 215/75/15 whitewalls which have plenty of tread and present well but as these tyres have not been in production for a while, they might want to be changed for any long distance touring. For local driving and pottering around, they are absolutely fine. The hubcaps are straight without any kinks or rashes and the beauty trims in fine condition.
Mechanically the car is fantastic. As mentioned, it shows all the hallmarks of a well maintained example. Notwithstanding, it has been recently work-shopped and inspected. With the car having relatively low mileage, she is very tight and in true operating condition. The engine purrs and gear-change is smooth and quiet. She rides down the road without rattles or thumps. Showing only some 69,000 miles, who can be truly sure of its authenticity, but with a review of the overall condition and especially its interior (inside the doors, foot pedal, etc), engine bay and under-side, this mileage is surely correct.
Both front and rear compartment A/C units blow ice cold and the heater works well. All interior and exterior lighting has been checked with all bulbs and lamps working as they should (*unfortunately at the time of photographing, an incorrect headlamp unit was fitted. This has been corrected with a replacement unit). An original jack and the operating manual come with the car.
This is one of those rare Rolls-Royce finds that has found its way to the right people for re-commissioning. Like all cars restored and sold thru Park-Ward Motors, this Silver Shadow has been meticulously scrutinised mechanically and electrically with anything needed, attended to. All our cars are not just “tidied up” for sale but are subject to professional Rolls-Royce inspection and service to ensure it is in good operating condition. This includes important and expensive attention to the entire hydraulics and braking system to include; brake pumps, accumulators, hoses, lines, valves, calipers and pads. All our Rolls-Royces are then subject to a “pre-delivery commissioning” process after its sale and prior to shipment to ensure all features and functions are operating as they should. This professional attention to detail is not offered by any other classic Rolls-Royce on-seller in the country and, indeed, throughout the world.
Price: Auction
More info: Listing has ended. Click to search on eBay for similar 1969 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (Affiliate link)
Location: Barrington, Illinois, United States
