Running a Silver Shadow everyday
Discussion
Can anyone advise me about a crazy idea that has got into my head. I love Silver Shadows of the 65-69 era and note that they can be relatively affordable to purchase at circa £10k. Also at 5.17 metres long and 1.8 metres wide they are possibly the smallest Rolls Royces you can buy and thus not much more to manage than my current Jaguar X308.
My question is, could one stand up to 10-12k miles a year use and being parked on a private drive way outside ? I'm already used to big fuel bills (16.5mpg) and big running costs with the Jag, but could a 40 year old Roller be everyday reliable and would it just rot away if I left it outside ? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Cheers.
My question is, could one stand up to 10-12k miles a year use and being parked on a private drive way outside ? I'm already used to big fuel bills (16.5mpg) and big running costs with the Jag, but could a 40 year old Roller be everyday reliable and would it just rot away if I left it outside ? Any guidance would be much appreciated. Cheers.
atomicpunk said:
I think it's a fantastic idea, and one I'm considering myself as well! My circumstances are very similar, as I'm looking for one to use 2-3 days a week (alternating with the Elise) and a daily commute of around 12 miles each way. The car would have to live on the driveway (at least some of the time, anyway). In fact, I've only just missed out one this one to a quicker buyer!
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C36190
Like your style, I've always wanted an Elise too as a 2nd car. What a perfect compliment to Silver Shadow !http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C36190
Edited by atomicpunk on Thursday 28th February 14:41
Edited by atomicpunk on Thursday 28th February 14:42
xxplod said:
Ooooh this is tempting me. Someone was advertising a Shadow 1 on the small ads at work for £7000 the other week, and I've now got a new job which means only a 25 mile a day round trip, AND I've a classic Mini to use maybe half the week.
Mrs XXPLOD would absolutely kill me though, although she has found she likes autos....
As it happens my other car is also a Mini a 1971 1000 totally unmodified, right down to the cross ply tyres ! Like my comment regarding the Elise, I think running a 60s-70s Mini and Rolls Royce together is a very appealing combination - 2 more different driving experiences there can't be !Mrs XXPLOD would absolutely kill me though, although she has found she likes autos....
Thanks to everyone who has contributed, this has been a really useful discussion.
I have learned a few things and have a few remaining concerns.
Learning points on the purchase of a Silver Shadow 1965-69
1. I have concluded that fuel consumption would be in the region of 12mpg for a keenly driven car
2. Buy a good example i.e. FSH and evidence of cherished status, for around £10k. Avoid 'bargains' as big maintenanace bills may be attached
3. With a good example, depreciation should be minimal to zero.
4. Budget £2-4k PA to keep it on the road exluding fuel and tax (which would be free for this year of car anyway.)
5. Overall, its a costly business, but compared to my 2001 Jaguar XJR its a case of swapping depreciation of £3k PA and £200+ RFL PA for big service and maintenance bills and even bigger fuel bills. Overall the per mile cost is similar.
6. These cars are reliable as daily drivers, assuming proper maintenance, as they are so over engineered they do have a high durability factor even if they are 40 years old.
Remaining concerns
1. All weather protection. As stated, I have no garage for the car, so it will be left on a private drive way in all weathers. Some comment has confirmed that for a 40 year old car this is a concern in terms of rust. I can either buy a good car (as above a £10k car is budgeted for), run it for 2-3 years and let nature do its worst accepting that it will perhaps depreciate to £7k, or I purchase a car cover. I have some experience of these as I used one for the Mini for a year. However in those days, I didn't use the car everyday, so I'm not sure I will be bothered to remove and fit a cover every single day - it could become a bit of a chore.
2. Anti theft protection. I would welcome comments on this. Old cars are the main targets of vehicle theft these days, due to the ease of doing so. I assume that these cars are weak in this area. Can modern alarms, immobilsers etc be fitted ? How good are the lock barrels ?
3. Envy. This is a concern that I had not expected. I have assumed that a car that is obviously an elderly classic (black number plates) would be admired and respected rather than envied in a hostile way as a symbol of fabulous wealth. Comments ?
I have learned a few things and have a few remaining concerns.
Learning points on the purchase of a Silver Shadow 1965-69
1. I have concluded that fuel consumption would be in the region of 12mpg for a keenly driven car
2. Buy a good example i.e. FSH and evidence of cherished status, for around £10k. Avoid 'bargains' as big maintenanace bills may be attached
3. With a good example, depreciation should be minimal to zero.
4. Budget £2-4k PA to keep it on the road exluding fuel and tax (which would be free for this year of car anyway.)
5. Overall, its a costly business, but compared to my 2001 Jaguar XJR its a case of swapping depreciation of £3k PA and £200+ RFL PA for big service and maintenance bills and even bigger fuel bills. Overall the per mile cost is similar.
6. These cars are reliable as daily drivers, assuming proper maintenance, as they are so over engineered they do have a high durability factor even if they are 40 years old.
Remaining concerns
1. All weather protection. As stated, I have no garage for the car, so it will be left on a private drive way in all weathers. Some comment has confirmed that for a 40 year old car this is a concern in terms of rust. I can either buy a good car (as above a £10k car is budgeted for), run it for 2-3 years and let nature do its worst accepting that it will perhaps depreciate to £7k, or I purchase a car cover. I have some experience of these as I used one for the Mini for a year. However in those days, I didn't use the car everyday, so I'm not sure I will be bothered to remove and fit a cover every single day - it could become a bit of a chore.
2. Anti theft protection. I would welcome comments on this. Old cars are the main targets of vehicle theft these days, due to the ease of doing so. I assume that these cars are weak in this area. Can modern alarms, immobilsers etc be fitted ? How good are the lock barrels ?
3. Envy. This is a concern that I had not expected. I have assumed that a car that is obviously an elderly classic (black number plates) would be admired and respected rather than envied in a hostile way as a symbol of fabulous wealth. Comments ?
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