Classic Classified: 1967 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

From: Hemmings Motor News
Date: December 1983
Price then: $18,950 ($45,400 adjusted for inflation, about the cost of a new 2015 Lexus ES today)
Price now: $5,200 – $28,700
Approximate dollar difference: $16,700 (assuming No. 1 condition)
Approximate annual rate of return: -1.4%

ROLLS-ROYCE: 1967 Silver Shadow, silver/charcoal, beige leather, electric moonroof/windows, cruise, stereo, left hand drive, air, new radials, 75,000 miles, drives and looks excellent, picnic tables, $18,950

Rolls-Royce has always been the benchmark of British luxury vehicles. In the 60s, if you had the money to purchase one (and maintain it) this was the ultimate statement of status. The problem with luxury vehicles is that when the next new innovation in comfort, style and excess comes out, the old models tend to drop in value like a stone. This particular example is no exception. Even with inflation, the number of dollars to purchase this car has remained the same. When you factor in maintenance costs too, one would hope that the purchaser of this Rolls bought it for the love of the car and not in the hopes of making a buck.