1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Long Wheelbase Saloon

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

When launched in 1965, the Silver Shadow represented a radical departure from what a traditional Rolls-Royce was thought to be. Styled by John Polwhele Blatchley, the new Rolls-Royce's slab-sided design allowed the car to be 3.5 inches narrower and 7 inches shorter while increasing interior space when compared to its immediate predecessor, the Silver Cloud. The Silver Shadow also presented a large technical advancement at Rolls-Royce with the introduction of disc brakes, independent rear suspension, and its first design to utilize unitary construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame design. Often described as the “Definition of luxury,” vintage Rolls-Royces have a charm all their own as is clearly evident with this example.

Highlights 

• One of just 2,780 long wheelbase Silver Shadows produced from 1969 through 1977 

• Featuring a four inch longer wheelbase than a standard Silver Shadow 

• Displaying just over 33,000 miles at the time of listing which are thought to be original  

• Finished in Garnet with a Black Everflex roof 

• Interior upholster in Tan Connolly leather with solid wood trim with walnut veneer and Wilton wool carpets 

• Powered by a 6 ¾ liter V8 mated to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 transmission  

• Hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension 

Features 

• Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament 

• 15 inch wheels with full wheel covers  

• Air conditioning 

• Cruise control 

• Solid wood trim with walnut veneer 

• Column mounted gear selector 

• Power steering 

• Center armrests front and rear 

• Electric rear window demister 

• Power radio antenna 

• Electric clock 

• Power windows 

• Philips AM/FM and shortwave radio 

• Door mounted map pockets 

• Front seat back mounted map pockets 

• Rear footrests 

• Twin spoke steering wheel 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint blemishes 

• Distressed trunk carpeting 

• Cracked dash wood trim 

• Paint overspray 

• Minor paint imperfections throughout the exterior 

Included 

• Owner’s handbook 

• Tool set 

• Lamb's wool over mats 

• Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation 

Ownership History

With documentation from the Rolls-Royce Foundation, this 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Long Wheelbase Saloon was ordered by Mr. and Mrs. Brody through Peter Satori Co. Limited of Pasadena, California, after delays caused them to cancel their Bentley “T” Long Wheelbase Saloon. With the invoice sent from Rolls-Royce on 18 March 1970 to confirm the order of the Silver Shadow, the car arrived and was then purchased by Olive Behrendt on 15 July 1970 for a grand total of $21,481 with a fire extinguisher, lamb's wool mats, and a carpeted trunk. Service records for warranty work completed show that Mrs. Behrendt retained the car through at least February 1973. Since then, the car has remained in the southern California area with it being donated to the Petersen Automotive Museum in March 2020.