Bentley T Series v Silver shadow
Discussion
Rarity, and a classier image.
Although the image of the Silver Shadow has changed somewhat over the past two decades, and they are no longer seen as flashy, vulgar or ostentatious, being run on the cheap by people who might wear white socks and grey shoes, and run a club.
I like to see a scruffy run down Shadow as much as a nice clean original example in subtle colours. But even some of the worst colour combos of the seventies are looking retro cool by the bucket load nowadays.
EG
Although the image of the Silver Shadow has changed somewhat over the past two decades, and they are no longer seen as flashy, vulgar or ostentatious, being run on the cheap by people who might wear white socks and grey shoes, and run a club.
I like to see a scruffy run down Shadow as much as a nice clean original example in subtle colours. But even some of the worst colour combos of the seventies are looking retro cool by the bucket load nowadays.
EG
Values just seemed to get talked up when Bentley adopted a more sporting image from the late '80s onwards.
Personally, I can't see any logical reason for it as they are the same car, radiator & badges excepted. It's purely an image thing. I think the 'ostentatious' image issue that Rolls might have suffered from years ago has passed, a bit like the bright red 911 turbos from the '80s.
I'd rather have a Shadow with a handling kit than a T without, all other things being equal.(You can guess what I have
)
An Austin 1100 is better than a Morris 1100. Discuss. What's the difference in the RR/Bentley case?
Personally, I can't see any logical reason for it as they are the same car, radiator & badges excepted. It's purely an image thing. I think the 'ostentatious' image issue that Rolls might have suffered from years ago has passed, a bit like the bright red 911 turbos from the '80s.
I'd rather have a Shadow with a handling kit than a T without, all other things being equal.(You can guess what I have
)An Austin 1100 is better than a Morris 1100. Discuss.
What's the difference in the RR/Bentley case?Edited by tonys on Thursday 22 December 22:13
cardigankid said:
There is rarity, but I would think value is much more down to the individual vehicle. I would rather have an immaculate Shadow than a dodgy T. As it happens I have an immaculate T! 
Exactly this. I set out looking for a T, but ended up with a Silver Shadow because it was significantly better than anything I had seen before for the price. I think all Silver Shadow derivatives are woefully undervalued at the moment. This side of a new Phantom, I can think of little that would give me greater pleasure and I certainly would rank a Silver Shadow higher than a Spirit or Seraph.My father in law has run one for nigh on 20 years. Bought with 33,000 miles on the clock and I think has maybe 45,000 miles on it now. He mainly uses it in the summer months. With the odd emergency. Whilst suffering from a broken hip and still on crutches, I had to rush my father in law to hospital. My other half and mother in law went as well. The Shadow 11 was the only car we have that we could all fit in. Did gain some amusing glances whilst waiting outside A & E, disabled badge and crutches. In fact I've driven it quite a few times on hospital trips.
Apart from a starter motor, a battery isolater switch, occasional blowing exhaust manifolds and tyres it has cost very little to maintain. Fuel consumption I'm guessing maybe 14mpg. Daily use, quite possible but tin worm is the enemy. Even 20 years ago it was hard to find a good one. I looked at over 20 cars before he bought this one. A 1980 Shadow 11 £15500 from memory which was strong money back then, but its as new condition warranted the price tag.
Apart from a starter motor, a battery isolater switch, occasional blowing exhaust manifolds and tyres it has cost very little to maintain. Fuel consumption I'm guessing maybe 14mpg. Daily use, quite possible but tin worm is the enemy. Even 20 years ago it was hard to find a good one. I looked at over 20 cars before he bought this one. A 1980 Shadow 11 £15500 from memory which was strong money back then, but its as new condition warranted the price tag.
Church of Noise said:
is it possible for a mere mortal to run these as a daily driver? (ie: how crippling is maintaining one?)
I keep asking myself that...As far as I can ascertain, someone reasonably handy with spanners and prepared to do the back ground reading, I think its a relatively simple car using some stuff from elswhere, ie GM g'box and Citroen suspension.
They seem to suffer with tinworm, but it cant be any harder putting a wheel arch repair section on a Shadow than on any other car?
Trim and carpets get a bit grotty, few quid but not the end of the world.
Lots of very grotty ones being broken for spares so a supply of bits is there.
What could possibly go wrong?
I would love to have the spare cash to buy a white RR-SS, then stick a pair of big Hella's on the front and drop in a big block Chevy with a lumpy cam and headers..... 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODolsPxhaU&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cODolsPxhaU&fea...
Agree with most on here about how the value difference can only be down to image....interesting thing image. Many years back, probably twenty odd years, I nearly bought a T1 that had been attacked with brake fluid. That was one of the reasons it was within my reach, the other was because it was a Bentley not a Rolls Royce. At the time at least Rolls had an image, Bentley was largely forgotten and existed purely as a badge engineered Silver Shadow - or that was the general perception.
More recently when I was working on my Bond Equipe I got chatting to a contractor working in our alleyway. He was restoring a similar equipe for his daughter. We talked old cars and he mentioned he owned a "classic Bentley" - I forget what exactly but he mentioned Derby (or similar) and I said flippantly "Oh you mean a real one", his reply, in all seriousness, "Yes, a real one, not a corrugated shed like a Silver Shadow..."
I got similar reaction about my 924 from real Porsche owners, and a friend received nigh on the same from real Jensen types regarding his Healey...yes, interesting thing image...
More recently when I was working on my Bond Equipe I got chatting to a contractor working in our alleyway. He was restoring a similar equipe for his daughter. We talked old cars and he mentioned he owned a "classic Bentley" - I forget what exactly but he mentioned Derby (or similar) and I said flippantly "Oh you mean a real one", his reply, in all seriousness, "Yes, a real one, not a corrugated shed like a Silver Shadow..."
I got similar reaction about my 924 from real Porsche owners, and a friend received nigh on the same from real Jensen types regarding his Healey...yes, interesting thing image...
Church of Noise said:
Huntsman said:
What could possibly go wrong?
That's exactly the type of question I ask myself all to often, regarding several cars :-)The answer is 'a lot' in some cases.
Does anyone on PH own one of these?
PM me if you want more info.
Rarity, fashion, image - I think it's Spirits/Mulsannes that are now suffering from being associated with wedding cars. In contrast, good Shadows and T series have become genuine classics.
I do like the idea of an early "chippendale dash" Shadow, but as already mentioned, if contemplating a Shadow or T series it's condition that should be the deciding factor.
From the fashion/image perspective, it seems to me that the perception of Rolls-Royce has improved in recent years, while that of Bentley has deteriorated with increased volumes. A double edged sword....
I do like the idea of an early "chippendale dash" Shadow, but as already mentioned, if contemplating a Shadow or T series it's condition that should be the deciding factor.
From the fashion/image perspective, it seems to me that the perception of Rolls-Royce has improved in recent years, while that of Bentley has deteriorated with increased volumes. A double edged sword....
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