Rolls Royce Silver Shadow following: who are they?
Discussion
I wonder about the Silver Shadow following.
In my eye there seem to be 2 groups: entry level RR buyers and real enthusiasts. Am I right?
I discovered the Silver Shadow as a fantastic car only 3 years ago.
The story behind the John Polwhele Blatchley choice of design: With the rapid decline of the chauffeur, it was aimed at a new type of buyer: the owner-driver.
Imagine, only 50 years ago.
In my eye there seem to be 2 groups: entry level RR buyers and real enthusiasts. Am I right?
I discovered the Silver Shadow as a fantastic car only 3 years ago.
The story behind the John Polwhele Blatchley choice of design: With the rapid decline of the chauffeur, it was aimed at a new type of buyer: the owner-driver.
Imagine, only 50 years ago.
dinkel said:
I wonder about the Silver Shadow following.
In my eye there seem to be 2 groups: entry level RR buyers and real enthusiasts. Am I right?
I discovered the Silver Shadow as a fantastic car only 3 years ago.
The story behind the John Polwhele Blatchley choice of design: With the rapid decline of the chauffeur, it was aimed at a new type of buyer: the owner-driver.
Imagine, only 50 years ago.
Well I only bought my Shadow a few months ago and I'm totally captivated by it; can't stop smiling whenever I think about the fact that I own a Rolls.In my eye there seem to be 2 groups: entry level RR buyers and real enthusiasts. Am I right?
I discovered the Silver Shadow as a fantastic car only 3 years ago.
The story behind the John Polwhele Blatchley choice of design: With the rapid decline of the chauffeur, it was aimed at a new type of buyer: the owner-driver.
Imagine, only 50 years ago.
I love my Jag but the Rolls does imbue a real sense of occasion so in reply to your question Dinkel am I an Entry Level or an Enthusiast? - think I'm both
I've had my Shadow11 for more than 10years, and it's been in the family for 30+ yrs. Enthusiast or entry buyer? No idea. I wouldn't describe myself as an RR enthusiast, but I do respect the engineering and general quality and always intend to use it more than I actually do, which isn't very much.
I could change it if I wanted to, but I've never done anything about it, much the same as the TVR. What to replace them with? Neither are daily use, so are just 'nice' cars to drive as and when.
Is the RR enthusiast the chap who asked me 'And how many do you have?' Well, just the one! He then went on to explain the various models of RR that he had, most of which were older models which are of no interest to me at all.
I prefer the shape of the Shadows to the later Spirits, and as for the new Phantom - well, they seem to be 'perfectly decent' motorcars
I could change it if I wanted to, but I've never done anything about it, much the same as the TVR. What to replace them with? Neither are daily use, so are just 'nice' cars to drive as and when.
Is the RR enthusiast the chap who asked me 'And how many do you have?' Well, just the one! He then went on to explain the various models of RR that he had, most of which were older models which are of no interest to me at all.
I prefer the shape of the Shadows to the later Spirits, and as for the new Phantom - well, they seem to be 'perfectly decent' motorcars
My suggestion would be to opt for a Bentley T-type instead, not least for this very splendid review which delineates clearly between 'polishers' and 'drivers'! 
http://driventowrite.com/2013/10/01/1965-bentley-t...
http://driventowrite.com/2013/10/01/1965-bentley-t...
Thx, and wow:
http://fabwheelsdigest.blogspot.nl/2013/05/1968-be...
Pininfarina's one-off 1968 T1 Coupe Speciale.
Looks like a huge FIAT fastback dreaming of FAB1. I like it.
http://fabwheelsdigest.blogspot.nl/2013/05/1968-be...
Pininfarina's one-off 1968 T1 Coupe Speciale.
Looks like a huge FIAT fastback dreaming of FAB1. I like it.
Dand E Lion said:
My suggestion would be to opt for a Bentley T-type instead, not least for this very splendid review which delineates clearly between 'polishers' and 'drivers'!
http://driventowrite.com/2013/10/01/1965-bentley-t...
Great stuff.http://driventowrite.com/2013/10/01/1965-bentley-t...
The Shadow / T is a marvellous car. I have T2.
It's hard these days to have one and not be an enthusiast. The days of the cheap Roller buyer are over. If you have bought one because it's cheap, you are probably facing colossal maintenance bills. They need looking after regularly and well, which isn't that cheap. If you neglect them, they become even less cheap. An enthusiast by definition will suck it up, and have a great experience.
What the Shadow does is to give you the true experience of Rolls Bentley driving without the compromises associated with the older models. The Spirit is great though I prefer the Shadow as it still has more of the traditional qualities. Blatchley was a genius and designed the ultimate luxury sports saloon in the tradition of the 'Silent Sports Cars' produced by RR / Bentley at Derby.
To go a step further get a Corniche.
It's hard these days to have one and not be an enthusiast. The days of the cheap Roller buyer are over. If you have bought one because it's cheap, you are probably facing colossal maintenance bills. They need looking after regularly and well, which isn't that cheap. If you neglect them, they become even less cheap. An enthusiast by definition will suck it up, and have a great experience.
What the Shadow does is to give you the true experience of Rolls Bentley driving without the compromises associated with the older models. The Spirit is great though I prefer the Shadow as it still has more of the traditional qualities. Blatchley was a genius and designed the ultimate luxury sports saloon in the tradition of the 'Silent Sports Cars' produced by RR / Bentley at Derby.
To go a step further get a Corniche.
Edited by cardigankid on Monday 26th October 21:04
Not quite a daily driver but covered around 3000 miles this year in mine when the weather has been nice.As has been said before the days of running one of these on a budget has long since gone-even the youngest is around 35 years old now,so I would say the vast majority are enthusiast owned.Maintenance averages around £2000 per year to keep things tip top whether you use it or not.
My own interest in them came when my brother bought one brand new in 1975.Ive always loved them and respected the no compromise engineering integrity and quality.Back in the day my brother was very limited as to when he could use the car-it attracted a lot of jealousy in the civil unrest of the 1970's.In contrast today my car attracts a lot of positive attention and I'm not afraid to leave it parked up.
I originally bought my first SS2 around 15 years ago,and had it for 5 years.Its one of the only cars I've ever truly missed after selling it and was lucky enough to be offered a mint 30k mile car that I have known for many many years around a year ago.This one I will be keeping!
My own interest in them came when my brother bought one brand new in 1975.Ive always loved them and respected the no compromise engineering integrity and quality.Back in the day my brother was very limited as to when he could use the car-it attracted a lot of jealousy in the civil unrest of the 1970's.In contrast today my car attracts a lot of positive attention and I'm not afraid to leave it parked up.
I originally bought my first SS2 around 15 years ago,and had it for 5 years.Its one of the only cars I've ever truly missed after selling it and was lucky enough to be offered a mint 30k mile car that I have known for many many years around a year ago.This one I will be keeping!
Not quite a daily driver but covered around 3000 miles this year in mine when the weather has been nice.As has been said before the days of running one of these on a budget has long since gone-even the youngest is around 35 years old now,so I would say the vast majority are enthusiast owned.Maintenance averages around £2000 per year to keep things tip top whether you use it or not.
My own interest in them came when my brother bought one brand new in 1975.Ive always loved them and respected the no compromise engineering integrity and quality.Back in the day my brother was very limited as to when he could use the car-it attracted a lot of jealousy in the civil unrest of the 1970's.In contrast today my car attracts a lot of positive attention and I'm not afraid to leave it parked up.
I originally bought my first SS2 around 15 years ago,and had it for 5 years.Its one of the only cars I've ever truly missed after selling it and was lucky enough to be offered a mint 30k mile car that I have known for many many years around a year ago.This one I will be keeping!
My own interest in them came when my brother bought one brand new in 1975.Ive always loved them and respected the no compromise engineering integrity and quality.Back in the day my brother was very limited as to when he could use the car-it attracted a lot of jealousy in the civil unrest of the 1970's.In contrast today my car attracts a lot of positive attention and I'm not afraid to leave it parked up.
I originally bought my first SS2 around 15 years ago,and had it for 5 years.Its one of the only cars I've ever truly missed after selling it and was lucky enough to be offered a mint 30k mile car that I have known for many many years around a year ago.This one I will be keeping!
Huntsman said:
How much headroom is there in a Shadow? I'm tall, with short legs and long body, so need plenty of headroom, I sat in a Corniche recently and I thought I needed more headroom.
Corniche Convertible? I'm 6ft 2in and have no issue with headroom in my Corniche Saloon - it has more space than a Turbo R with sun-roof that I also occasionally drive.
dinkel said:
Thx, and wow:
http://fabwheelsdigest.blogspot.nl/2013/05/1968-be...
Pininfarina's one-off 1968 T1 Coupe Speciale.
Looks like a huge FIAT fastback dreaming of FAB1. I like it.
Or an enormous Sunbeam Rapier. Nastyhttp://fabwheelsdigest.blogspot.nl/2013/05/1968-be...
Pininfarina's one-off 1968 T1 Coupe Speciale.
Looks like a huge FIAT fastback dreaming of FAB1. I like it.
9six4 said:
Huntsman said:
How much headroom is there in a Shadow? I'm tall, with short legs and long body, so need plenty of headroom, I sat in a Corniche recently and I thought I needed more headroom.
Corniche Convertible? I'm 6ft 2in and have no issue with headroom in my Corniche Saloon - it has more space than a Turbo R with sun-roof that I also occasionally drive.Suspect the cause is my mutant long body and dumpy legs combo.
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