Rolls Royce Silver Shadow bought sight-unseen from eBay
Discussion
I thought I would update this thread, in case anyone is interested about how it all went!
It did not take me long to discover that the car’s high-pressure hydraulics, which comprise two separate circuits running the brakes and self-levelling suspension, needs some attention. After fixing the pipes/hoses at the front I confirmed that one of the spheres (which ‘store’ pressure for use by the system) needed replacing, as mentioned on here. After getting a quote for £5,000 from a specialist I replaced the sphere myself. And so began my journey…over the year I went through the whole system, replacing lots of pipe (basically any pipe which ran outside with a junction/steep curve in it needed doing), adjusting one and replacing one control valve and generally testing and sorting it all out. I will not pretend all was plain sailing but, with the help of some friends and the workshop manual I managed to get my head around how it all worked and get the system running properly. I got very good at making pipe unions, and built/assembled a pressure gauge for the car and a rig (which plumbed into the sphere output) on which I could test components off the car. I also sorted some other minor issues; thermostat, engine tuning, electrics etc. On the very last day of ownership, and after a year, I fixed the very last leak and had the whole system operating at full pressure for the first time in my ownership and who knows how long. Watching the rear suspension rise majestically was very satisfying and a bit emotional. It was also quite nice to drive the car with the brakes working properly (see my early posts).
During all this, one of my friends helping me with the car decided he also wanted one (of course). We went to see perhaps five examples at the lower end of the price scale and all were, as you will not be surprised to hear, utter sheds. None had working hydraulics, one had head gasket failure, another had terrible paint…in the end I needed to raise money to restore my Stag and I lost a garage so it went to him, on the proviso that I had first refusal. He used the Rolls Royce as his only car for a year, before getting a modern and taking the RR off the road for some repairs. We all eagerly await its return to the road and, perhaps one day, to my garage.
It did not take me long to discover that the car’s high-pressure hydraulics, which comprise two separate circuits running the brakes and self-levelling suspension, needs some attention. After fixing the pipes/hoses at the front I confirmed that one of the spheres (which ‘store’ pressure for use by the system) needed replacing, as mentioned on here. After getting a quote for £5,000 from a specialist I replaced the sphere myself. And so began my journey…over the year I went through the whole system, replacing lots of pipe (basically any pipe which ran outside with a junction/steep curve in it needed doing), adjusting one and replacing one control valve and generally testing and sorting it all out. I will not pretend all was plain sailing but, with the help of some friends and the workshop manual I managed to get my head around how it all worked and get the system running properly. I got very good at making pipe unions, and built/assembled a pressure gauge for the car and a rig (which plumbed into the sphere output) on which I could test components off the car. I also sorted some other minor issues; thermostat, engine tuning, electrics etc. On the very last day of ownership, and after a year, I fixed the very last leak and had the whole system operating at full pressure for the first time in my ownership and who knows how long. Watching the rear suspension rise majestically was very satisfying and a bit emotional. It was also quite nice to drive the car with the brakes working properly (see my early posts).
During all this, one of my friends helping me with the car decided he also wanted one (of course). We went to see perhaps five examples at the lower end of the price scale and all were, as you will not be surprised to hear, utter sheds. None had working hydraulics, one had head gasket failure, another had terrible paint…in the end I needed to raise money to restore my Stag and I lost a garage so it went to him, on the proviso that I had first refusal. He used the Rolls Royce as his only car for a year, before getting a modern and taking the RR off the road for some repairs. We all eagerly await its return to the road and, perhaps one day, to my garage.
Loved reading this thread especially as I am looking to buy a SS II in due course. I wonder if I am mad but am considering buying a Shadow which has been sat for 3 years I am told the engine runs but the car does not move due to the brakes being sieved. I am guessing there are similar issues to yours ref the spheres / Accumalators / callipers and pistons - question is do I stay well clear / walk away if the rest of the car is spot on condition wise or is it still worth the risk?
Have things moved on so that if the above needed replacement it would be cheaper than £5k to sort? Esp if I were to buy used/reconditioned parts if available?
Thanks
Have things moved on so that if the above needed replacement it would be cheaper than £5k to sort? Esp if I were to buy used/reconditioned parts if available?
Thanks
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