1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

This rather fetching Ivory example of Rolls-Royce’s Silver Shadow II model is being sold by debt recovery company Arkle Recoveries. Unfortunately for someone that means their beloved Roller has been impounded and is now up for grabs in order to clear their fiscal obligations. Alas, the reality of life is that one man’s (or woman’s) woes present as another’s opportunity. 

First registered on the 25th of May 1979, it has had a total of 10 keepers since then and a grand total of two number plate changes. As well as its current GKV191T, it’s also worn FCH8 and HPU696T with considerable pride. 

A quick check of the government’s DVLA website shows that its last MOT certificate expired the 23rd of October 2020. Prior to that it was in regular use, albeit with low annual accumulated mileages. 

And that’s everything we know; except of course, that it presents as a very solid example.

Some colours mask a car’s lines and dimensions, helping it to blend into the background. On the other hand, hues such as this car’s Ivory enhance the exterior pleasure to be had and ensure that other road users are only too aware of its presence. Of course, the fact a car wears the Spirit of Ecstasy on its snout also helps…

This car’s exterior is very clean indeed. Those long flanks remain ripple free with chrome trims still lining up perfectly. Wheel arches look to be free from any hint of corrosion, as do all other panels including the door bottoms. The paint remains nice and shiny; it has a few small flaws (such as a couple of cracks at the bottom of the nearside windscreen surround and the odd chip on a panel edge), but they don’t detract from an overall very good picture.

Bright work remains nice and shiny – including, thankfully, that huge radiator grill. The hand painted coach lines on the wheel centres are a touch faded here and there, but that’s to be expected; you could find a man with a steady hand and have them redone, if you so wished.

The windscreen is delaminating slightly at its very outer edges, but doesn’t intrude on the driver’s road visibility. You’ll also find a pair of Lucas fog lamps fitted just below the front bumper. 

Oh my, there’s a lot of pleasure to be had inside this car’s cabin; the colour scheme and finish lend it the disposition of a Westminster gentlemen’s club. It positively oozes wealth.

The Red leather seats are piped Ivory and remain in excellent health (still offering occupants robust support), with a nice patina. The dark burr walnut dashboard is the perfect accompaniment and it too is in good condition. Leather door cards are excellent. Carpets, Biscuit piped Red, are okay and covered by Lambs wool overmats of a slightly darker hue that again, are in decent condition. Up top, the headlining remains pretty much mark-free.  

We like the ambience in here a lot – it’s a very lovely place to be. 

The boot is finished identically but the carpet does have one or two stains, so the next owner could have a fresh replacement item made in order to sharpen things up should they so wish.

It’s currently a non-runner, but that’s likely down to a lack of use and recent maintenance. The Rolls-Royce’s MOT history shows that it was used (and MOT tested) regularly prior to the recent pandemic. We reckon a battery and fluid change, and a bit of a general fettling should see that humungous V8 purring again in no time. 

Lift that large bonnet and you’ll find an engine bay that presents quite nicely; it’s representative of the fact that the car has been used, but nevertheless remains pretty smart. 

It’s definitely worth getting down on your knees to have a look at the underside. What you’ll find is a touch of surface rust here and there, but most importantly it looks to be in a lovely and solid condition. 

The very lower edges of the sills have a touch of cracking paint, but there doesn’t appear to be any signs of corrosion underneath. A visit to a decent body shop and a bit of light financial outlay should have them looking new in no time.

As you can imagine with a vehicle that’s been impounded and is about to be sold by a debt recovery company there’s very little to be found in its history file. 

Pop it open and you’ll find an RAC Vehicle History Check, carried out on the 29th of November 2021 (at 9.06am), which shows outstanding finance on the Rolls-Royce that’ll be cleared on its sale. 

And, as a famous cartoon bunny once said: “that’s all, folks”.  

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the limited paperwork available on this car.

Quality is of course, permanent. And surely, just as when new, the whole point of buying a Rolls-Royce is to stand out on our Great British roads. Well, this example’s Ivory and Red colour scheme will certainly ensure that you do. It’s late Seventies period perfect. 

Silver Shadows have been scandalously underpriced for many a moon. Prices have risen gently in recent years, but there’s no doubt that they still represent incredible value for money.

We think this smart and tremendously solid example will sell for somewhere between £11,000 and £17,000. When you think back to this example’s original purchase price then that reflects mere pocket money.

Be in no doubt, wonderfully imperious driving pleasure lies in store for this next car’s lucky owner. 

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.