| ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW CONVERTIBLE |
[Note: all words in yellow are linked to
pictures and/or further descriptions.]
This 1968 right-hand-drive model is the
predecessor of the Corniche which was
produced into the '90's in essentially the
same form. Early examples are highly prized
by collectors because of their uncluttered
rendition of the famous "Coke bottle" design
from the pen of long-time MPW stylist, Bill
Allen, under John Blatchley's direct
supervision. Among the last of the
coach-built cars from Rolls-Royce, the drop
head coupé was fitted with elegant chrome
bumpers and minimal "safety"
enhancements. Essentially a hand-built
automobile, it was said at the time of
manufacture that the convertible top (hood),
headliner and padding assembly required a
week's intensive labor by each of two
master trimmers! Indeed, counting travel
time between H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward
Ltd.'s plant at Willesden (London) and the
Rolls-Royce factory at Crewe, the entire
car's build time was 4-1/2 to 6 months.
Originally sold in England and registered
with plate no. RWS 777J, this car was
imported into the USA in the early '70's by
an Oklahoma collector who kept it in a
museum in Tulsa. Upon the collector's death
in 2004, the car was offered for sale at the
Leake Collector Car Auction where the
current owner was the high bidder.
Having languished in a museum for so
many years the car had covered only 51,000
miles from new and is original throughout
except for a re-paint done many years ago
and refinished wood veneers completed in
2005 by noted ex-southern California expert,
Dick Brown.
Since its purchase by the current owner,
the car has been thoroughly "limbered-up"
including extensive work to the Citroën
licensed suspension/brake system, the fuel
tank and lines and various seals and hoses.
In December 2005 it successfully
participated in a rally from Los Angeles to
Santa Barbara and back.
Shortly, thereafter the car was shipped to
Melbourne, Australia, where it currently
resides after having been properly imported
and registered. Import Approval was
granted by the authorities in Canberra
followed by customs clearance, certificate
of roadworthiness and registration in
Victoria (slim line plate no. TYB 794).
During the period 6-19 February 2006 the
car joined the Rolls-Royce Owners Club of
Australia on their Tour of Tasmania
covering over 1,200 miles on the event with
no significant problems.
In 2008 the car participated in the
overlander to the Barossa Valley for the
Federal Rally and returned to Melbourne
without ever missing a beat. It has also
participated in 2 ANZACs Day parades
ferrying happy "Old Diggers" along the
parade route. Christmas parties and other
events have also been enjoyed not only by
the current owner but by "volunteers" Tim
Dean and Chris Lenehan who generously
agreed to exercise TYB794 when the owner
was abroad; all such forays were conducted
without a hitch.
pictures and/or further descriptions.]
This 1968 right-hand-drive model is the
predecessor of the Corniche which was
produced into the '90's in essentially the
same form. Early examples are highly prized
by collectors because of their uncluttered
rendition of the famous "Coke bottle" design
from the pen of long-time MPW stylist, Bill
Allen, under John Blatchley's direct
supervision. Among the last of the
coach-built cars from Rolls-Royce, the drop
head coupé was fitted with elegant chrome
bumpers and minimal "safety"
enhancements. Essentially a hand-built
automobile, it was said at the time of
manufacture that the convertible top (hood),
headliner and padding assembly required a
week's intensive labor by each of two
master trimmers! Indeed, counting travel
time between H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward
Ltd.'s plant at Willesden (London) and the
Rolls-Royce factory at Crewe, the entire
car's build time was 4-1/2 to 6 months.
Originally sold in England and registered
with plate no. RWS 777J, this car was
imported into the USA in the early '70's by
an Oklahoma collector who kept it in a
museum in Tulsa. Upon the collector's death
in 2004, the car was offered for sale at the
Leake Collector Car Auction where the
current owner was the high bidder.
Having languished in a museum for so
many years the car had covered only 51,000
miles from new and is original throughout
except for a re-paint done many years ago
and refinished wood veneers completed in
2005 by noted ex-southern California expert,
Dick Brown.
Since its purchase by the current owner,
the car has been thoroughly "limbered-up"
including extensive work to the Citroën
licensed suspension/brake system, the fuel
tank and lines and various seals and hoses.
In December 2005 it successfully
participated in a rally from Los Angeles to
Santa Barbara and back.
Shortly, thereafter the car was shipped to
Melbourne, Australia, where it currently
resides after having been properly imported
and registered. Import Approval was
granted by the authorities in Canberra
followed by customs clearance, certificate
of roadworthiness and registration in
Victoria (slim line plate no. TYB 794).
During the period 6-19 February 2006 the
car joined the Rolls-Royce Owners Club of
Australia on their Tour of Tasmania
covering over 1,200 miles on the event with
no significant problems.
In 2008 the car participated in the
overlander to the Barossa Valley for the
Federal Rally and returned to Melbourne
without ever missing a beat. It has also
participated in 2 ANZACs Day parades
ferrying happy "Old Diggers" along the
parade route. Christmas parties and other
events have also been enjoyed not only by
the current owner but by "volunteers" Tim
Dean and Chris Lenehan who generously
agreed to exercise TYB794 when the owner
was abroad; all such forays were conducted
without a hitch.
Specifications:
Contact Information:
Owner: David Walmsley
Address: c/o Tim Dean
1630 Malvern Road
Glen Iris 3146 Victoria
Australia
Telephone: 0401 987 808
email: tdean@bigpond.net.au
P.O. Box 2810
Pinetop, AZ 85935
U.S.A.
Telephone: 1-310-382-1392 (USA)
email: esquire90265@yahoo.com
Address: c/o Tim Dean
1630 Malvern Road
Glen Iris 3146 Victoria
Australia
Telephone: 0401 987 808
email: tdean@bigpond.net.au
P.O. Box 2810
Pinetop, AZ 85935
U.S.A.
Telephone: 1-310-382-1392 (USA)
email: esquire90265@yahoo.com
Additional Information:
www.darkforce.com
www.rrsilvershadow.com
www.rrocavictoria.org.au
M. Bobbitt, ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW,
BENTLEY T-SERIES, 3rd edition, Veloce Publishing
(2003) pp. 136-152 (available at www.veloce.co.uk)
www.darkforce.com
www.rrsilvershadow.com
www.rrocavictoria.org.au
M. Bobbitt, ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW,
BENTLEY T-SERIES, 3rd edition, Veloce Publishing
(2003) pp. 136-152 (available at www.veloce.co.uk)
| PHOTOGRAPHS |
This side view shows what is meant by 'Coke-bottle"
design: the uplifted waistline above the rear wheel arch
suggests a rear fender (wing). Note the fender mirror, a feature
unique to the MPW drop head coupe (on saloons mirrors
were fitted to the base of the A-post).
design: the uplifted waistline above the rear wheel arch
suggests a rear fender (wing). Note the fender mirror, a feature
unique to the MPW drop head coupe (on saloons mirrors
were fitted to the base of the A-post).
Wheelbase: 9 ft 11-1/2 in. (3.04 m)
Overall length: 16 ft 11-1/2 in. (5.17 m)
Weight: 4,636 lb. (2,103 kg.)
Fuel capacity: 28 U.S. gal. (107 litres)
Engine type: gasoline (petrol) V-8
Displacement: 380.5 cubic inches (6.23 litres)
Valve gear: overhead valves with hydraulic lifters
Transmission: GM Turbo Hydramatic 400 3 speed
Steering: power assisted
Brakes: 4 wheel disc with 3 hydraulic circuits
Air conditioning: GM Frigidaire converted to R-34
Tires: Michelin X P215 / 75R15 black wall
(80,000 mile warranty)
Seating (front): 2 individual Recaro seats with 6-way
power positioning and individual
folding armrests; trimmed in tan
Connolly leather (V.M.846)
Seating (rear): full width bench seat with folding
center armrest; trimmed in tan
Connolly leather
Convertible top: New West of England light fawn wool
headliner, inner padding & biscuit
Everflex outer covering replaced
November 2007
Boot cover: tan leather attached with Tenax
fasteners
Carpet: double index fawn wool Wilton with tan
Connolly leather binding and original
“HJMPW” heel pad Mouton overlays
front and rear installed new in November
2007
Body color: Sable (dark brown) metallic lacquer
Overall length: 16 ft 11-1/2 in. (5.17 m)
Weight: 4,636 lb. (2,103 kg.)
Fuel capacity: 28 U.S. gal. (107 litres)
Engine type: gasoline (petrol) V-8
Displacement: 380.5 cubic inches (6.23 litres)
Valve gear: overhead valves with hydraulic lifters
Transmission: GM Turbo Hydramatic 400 3 speed
Steering: power assisted
Brakes: 4 wheel disc with 3 hydraulic circuits
Air conditioning: GM Frigidaire converted to R-34
Tires: Michelin X P215 / 75R15 black wall
(80,000 mile warranty)
Seating (front): 2 individual Recaro seats with 6-way
power positioning and individual
folding armrests; trimmed in tan
Connolly leather (V.M.846)
Seating (rear): full width bench seat with folding
center armrest; trimmed in tan
Connolly leather
Convertible top: New West of England light fawn wool
headliner, inner padding & biscuit
Everflex outer covering replaced
November 2007
Boot cover: tan leather attached with Tenax
fasteners
Carpet: double index fawn wool Wilton with tan
Connolly leather binding and original
“HJMPW” heel pad Mouton overlays
front and rear installed new in November
2007
Body color: Sable (dark brown) metallic lacquer
| H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward Drop Head Coupé (Chassis no. CRH5014) |
