SILVER SHADOW THE CLASSIC CHOICE
INTRO & MODEL HISTORY
When launched in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow represented a sea change in the way Rolls-Royce approached car production. It spawned everything the Crewe marque created until its purchase by BMW in 1998, meaning the Shadow left its mark on over 30 years of Rolls-Royce and Bentley history.
The Silver Shadow was Rolls-Royce’s first monocoque. At launch it used the same engine and gearbox as the outgoing Silver Cloud, which meant a V8 of 6.2-litres coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox, though in 1968 all Shadows moved over to the three-speed GM400 automatic, then in late 1969 the engine grew to 6.75-litres. All Left-Hand Drive models were fitted with the GM400 automatic gearbox.
Available from the factory, initially only as a four-door saloon, coachbuilder James Young took the opportunity to develop two-door derivatives from 1966. Rolls-Royce’s in-house coachbuilder Mulliner Park Ward (often abbreviated to MPW) was swift to respond with a two door Silver Shadow of its own that same year, later rebranded the Corniche. This was accompanied by a drophead coupé. Long wheelbase four-door saloons became available in 1967.
Unsurprisingly, the Silver Shadow family followed in the footsteps of the Silver Cloud by offering Bentley-branded versions. These cars, identical barring the radiator grille, badges, and bonnet, retailed for £5375 in 1965 – £50 less than the Rolls Royce. Initially called the Bentley T and subsequently known as the T1, production numbers were significantly lower than for the equivalent Rolls-Royce
