Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Standard
The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was the most significant new Rolls-Royce since the original Silver Ghost. When it debuted in 1965, it shocked the automotive world by abandoning the separate chassis that had been a Rolls-Royce hallmark in favor of modern monocoque construction. This was accompanied by all-independent self-leveling suspension (licensed from Citroën), disc brakes on all four wheels, and a more compact body that was nonetheless supremely elegant. The 6.75-liter V8 engine — famously described by Rolls-Royce as having 'adequate' power — delivered its considerable torque with silky smoothness through a GM-sourced automatic transmission. The self-leveling hydraulic suspension provided a ride quality that remained the benchmark for decades, wafting over road imperfections with an imperious calm that no other car could match. The Silver Shadow became the best-selling Rolls-Royce in history, making the marque accessible to a wider audience of wealthy buyers while maintaining the hand-built quality and prestige that defined the brand. It spawned numerous variants including the two-door Corniche, the long-wheelbase Silver Wraith II, and ultimately evolved into the Silver Spirit.
Purchase price is accessible but running costs are enormous. The self-leveling hydraulic suspension is the most expensive system to maintain — accumulators, pump, and valves all need attention. Rust in subframe mounting points is dangerous and expensive to repair. The V8 engine is reliable if maintained. Buy the best example you can afford — cheap Silver Shadows are never cheap to own.
The most successful Rolls-Royce ever with over 30,000 built — more than all previous models combined. The self-leveling suspension was licensed from Citroën. The Bentley T-Series was a badge-engineered variant. A Silver Shadow II arrived in 1977 with rack-and-pinion steering and other refinements.