1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II: Why It's Finally Time To Call This a Cool Car 

i remember when James May had one .. he said it's the reason he had to live on Beans & Toast and the reason his Mechanic could afford Armani overalls .. lol

You won’t thank me but this car suits you perfectly; you look better driving this than anything else I can recall seeing you in 😂👍

I purchased my 1979 RR (Red Badge Edition) 20 years ago. She is my baby, dark blue and pure class 😍

A Lord my father knew came to visit in a Daimler Double Six VDP. I asked why he did not have a Jaguar. His reply was ‘new’ money bought Jaguars and Rolls-Royce. ‘Old’ money bought Rovers, Daimlers and Bentley. I never forgot this advice.

It is a nice colour. Part of the problem with many a Rolls Royce is they are usually either White or a really boring colour. This one looks lovely.

20:33 the great thing about these is along with the MOT and TAX exemption they’re also ULEZ exempt too

as a spotty long haired apprentice mechanic in the early 80s I had the 'privilege' to work on and road test afterwards a Mk1 & Mk2 Silver Shadow. the Mk1 was owned by a bottom of the market hand-tool merchant and to be kind the car was not a good example. in contrast the Mk2 was lovingly maintained with no expense spared (as with the rest of his car fleet) by its retired scrap merchant. on returning to the garage after the first test drive of every car my boss used to ask what I thought of the car. I described the Mk1 as "a waste of a 6750cc engine, my Imp has more go" and the Mk2 "its like driving your living room down the road." however, there was something really cool about driving them wearing wrap-around sun glasses, a Mascot biker jacket with denim cut-off and arm out window dreaming I was a rock-star 😁

I cannot begin to describe quite how much I love the Silver Shadow, especially the II update. I was lucky enough to be driven to school in one most days back in the late ‘70s; my friend’s dad had one 👍

Jay Leno says his Bentley turbo never goes wrong because he doesn’t let it sit

Back in 1983 when I started my first job, my supervisor dreamed of owning a Silver Shadow. I thought he was mad when he could easily have a XR3I, Golf GTI, 2.8 injection (needs no other introduction for petrol heads), or even a 323i (ditto). But 41 years later I get it 😊

Stewart / Stuart, You sir, are a real hero! Well done sir! For restoring this car to such amazing condition. What a ride!

Classic FM should be the only radio station a Rolls Royce can tune into.

Radio 3 would be more appropriate in such a stunning Rolls-Royce motor car! I bought myself a Silver Spirit I almost on the back of Harry Metcalfe’s “Arctic Rolls" featured on his channel. Of course, it was a cheap one, but I’m an adept mechanic and sizing up the recommissioning as a solo affair. I recall an amusing story my father told me of a doctor friend he used to have saving up and buying a Rolls Royce in the mid 60’s. He used it to go everywhere except to visit his mother, who’d declared it "vulgar" and therefore not welcome at hers. He then purchased a Mini, which only ever was used for the monthly visit to his mother. Once she’d passed away, the Mini was laid up in a corner of the garage. After the doctor’s death, his estate was divided and parts of it sold, including both cars. The Rolls Royce, even in the late 70’s by then, only fetched a small proportion of its original cost, mainly on account of wear and mileage. The Mini apparently sold for around twice as much as the Rolls Royce! My Spirit only happened because my girlfriend liked the colour, and it was a little over a grand to buy and have delivered to my workshop. As a child of the 80’s Spirit always appealed to me more than Shadow, but the example you’ve presented here looks fantastic!

What a beautiful example of my favourite Rolls. As you said, for years under appreciated and carrying the naff wedding car mantel but now values are climbing and people are encouraged to restore and look after them. Definitive Rolls Royce in my opinion and never bettered. Fab review :o)

The only Shadow I went in was a wedding car. However there was a difference it was owned by a neighbour who was a retired business man who was doing weddings because he enjoyed it. He had owned his car from new and kept it maintained to the highest standards by a one man band specialist who worked from his house.

My dear chap, you have finally grown up.

Now then now then, guys & gals... Unfortunately I always associate this type of Rolls Royce with Jimmy Saville (and generally the slightly seedy/dubious 70's business-man types). Not the type of car I'd wanna be driving round in, but I'm glad Jim fixed it for you to have a go in one😆

Around 2 decades ago, when I was still involved with running a restaurant on a wine estate in Constantia (CT, ZA 🇿🇦), a very loyal patron gifted a white one of these to our head chef. A fabulous gift by any measure, but being ever the gentleman, Frank would never say what it took in maintenance to keep the grand old thing going. He kept it looking prestine, but in the back of my mind I couldn’t help wondering what he was saddled with. It didn’t stop me from admiring nor lusting after that car though!

😱 Just remember, there is no such thing as a cheap Rolls_Royce, then and now. The most expensive car 🚙 you can ever buy is a so -called cheap Rolls_Royce !..

My Grandfather and Uncle had Rolls-Royces , and it was always a sense of occasion when i had the chance to ride in them. I recall both my Grandfather and the Chauffeur in overalls working on his car. After many years of older Jaguars, Maseratis, Alrfa Romeos and Mercedes, I bought a Silver Spirit. It's relatively easy to understand and work on, so there are no real issues there. But, finally after many years of fast, uncomfortable, noisy, hot, spine shaking, but undeniably fun exotic cars, i have found a car that is supremely comfortable and the polar opposite of what came before, and i love it. i will never sell. The bond i have with my Silver Spirit is far beyond any other car i have had the good fortune to own.

In 1976 my uncle gave us a little joy ride in a RR Shadow. I was 7 at the time and I remember me and my sisters were told by our mother to not touch anything. It was a lovely thing and I've always had a soft spot. I'm hoping that maybe in a few year to buy one as I want to do a south of France trip - so I'll have to pay top dollar.

Fun fact If you close the car keys in the rain gutter of the boot lid with it locked😢 you can. Remove the spare wheel, remove the rubber bung in the boot floor (that allows you to check your spare tyre air pressure without having to lay on the road/ lower the spare) Then insert 1 hand and with the patience of a Saint and a full day, you can unbolt the boot latch inside the boot and open the boot lid to retrieve the keys 😮😮 The citroen suspension was only used on the rear for self leveling, and in park or neutral worked 3 x a fast as it did in drive. And lastly on the subject of mpg We travelled from Bedfordshire to Sweden (for drag racing) and back. Dad managed to get 8 mpg 4 up with a boot full of luggage and as a 16 year old lad I saw more petrol stations than I did " ABBA" lookalike ladies during the week long trip.😊

Regarding the Hearse many years ago I said to a friend of mine " I wonder if Rolls Royce will ever make an estate car " He told me that they did and it was a 2 door estate car with a large tailgate and you only get to ride in it once

They closest thing i ever had the privilege to drive was a Chrysler Newport Limousine (6.3L V8) from 1966. But this RR SS2 really is a step up in the luxury department with the conoly hide and walnut wood trim. Gorgeous!

I drove a Silver Spirit at The Great British Car Journey, mainly as it was a bucket list thing to drive a Rolls at some stage and I think it’s the most surprising car I’ve ever driven. It was just such a huge amount of fun. Yes, it was a bit worn around the edges and the electric driver’s seat had given up the ghost(!) meaning my long kegs were not in what you would call the most favourable position ever, but it still reeked of quality and provided such a sense of occasion looking down the bonnet to the Spirit of Ecstasy, targeting all the plebs to get out of your way. OK, I had to imagine the last bit, but you get my drift. Putting your foot down had what felt like a second delay while the message was telegraphed through to the engine room, during which the prow of this majestic ship pointed towards the heavens before providing a more than reasonable amount of thrust. The boat analogy is definitely what sprung to mind. It certainly left a lasting impression. So much so that I think it’s fair to say a Rolls Royce will always be a Rolls Royce and always an event.

One never waves from a RR ! One may choose to acknowledge an acquaintance should one so wish to do .

Well, compared to the unfortunately tatty DB7, you‘ve catched a decent example of a Silver Shadow II... in fact, it’s an EXCELLENT example! Compliments from Switzerland to the owner! 😊

James your bloody brilliant are used to own two of these as wedding cars I must say very good wedding cars I kept them top-notch but you have nailed it. They are lovely absolutely lovely I don’t own them anymore but I almost missed them. It’s a bit like losing a pet, dog, they have a character all of their own well done James what would I do without your channel?😎🇬🇧

It is the colour of this particular car that sets it apart.

I should have never sold my 1980 Shadow II but the running costs were bleeding me dry. Do I long for another? Absolutely yes. Will I buy another? Absolutely not.

Had a 1972 shadow for 3 years in early nineties, loved it, it does help having your own classic car workshop. I am actually thinking about getting something like that again, a perfect car for being less in a hurry...

So much more classy than the new cars, which have become far too flash. Beautiful shape. Love the red Corniche Elton had in the Nikita video, and the one the Sheikh had in Cannonball Run lol

In 1980 my parents sold there 1968 jension interceptor (TBA99) and bought a 1967 silver shadow (TYK 22F) which had an apparently very rare factory metal sliding sunroof.

This is the most enjoyable review of the Shadow ive ever seen. Absolutely briliant. I honestly hope you can test a Camargue in the future.

Old Rolls' steering wheels and gear selectors were dainty for a reason. A good chauffeur kept his hands low on the wheel, out of sight, and feed the wheel from hand to hand, and the gear selector was operated gently, with an open palm gesture. One simply does not wrestle with the controls of a Rolls-Royce like a gorilla old chap.

Beautiful RR Silver Shadow. I was 19 years young when it rolled off the assembly line. Nice condition, and the interior is very nice.

A good friend of mine let me drive his Rolls while he was in the back. Foot down, big noise, nose up and nothing else..... Until we got to a roundabout. Took it way too fast and the look on his face as he slid from one side of the car to the other was hilarious. Poor tyres were screaming in pain.

Finally, after 30 odd years I heard the correct pronunciation of Camargue.

love a RR. They are actually exceptionally well built and not that hard to work on. Simple cars, with some expensive parts. Any moderate mechanic can fettle. Watch Classic Obsession - Gary Mavers play with his two Corniches Put the Harvey Bailley handling kit on it and it corners very well. Stuff is solid and lasts.

😅love mine, had it for 5 years as my daily driver. Nothing nicer to drive every day and it’s now not costing very much to keep going as it’s well maintained. I get 12pm pottering locally and 19mpg touring.

I had one in the early 2000s in London and I had no problems with the car and the steering was lovely she turned like a taxi and slipped in and out of traffic no problem.

I'd say, all Rolls are cool by definition. At least, here in Italy every RR, old or new, gets everyone's eyes on.

We went to the do it yourself car wash in Houston last year and met a retired race car driver (among other things he briefly drove Formula 3 - as an American) who was washing a nearly identical car once owned by country singer Barbara Mandrell. It originally was all in the darker green and she had Park Place Rolls in Dallas add the top color after initial objection. It was serviced almost its entire life in Dallas although she didn't live there. (Park Place She flat bedded the car to Dallas for service.) Stunning condition. Until then my favorite example of the SS2 was a two tone owned by a friend in the colors of a Duracell copper top battery that was more beautiful than it sounds. Mandrell was a committed fan of British cars, having nearly been killed in an accident when a 19-year-old man crossed the center line, steering into her silver Jaguar.

I'm not a fan of new RRs but these old ones are just majestic! There's something special about driving, or being driven in, a Silver Cloud, Shadow or Spirit. Many years ago, I got to sit in the driver's seat of a friend's Silver Shadow (the only time I've ever been in a Rolls), and holding that thin rimmed steering wheel while being seated in an stunning leather seat and being surrounded by the pinnacle of 70s luxury was an unbelievably pleasurable experience, even if only for a few minutes!

For once I was way ahead of the trends.. I remember walking with my then girlfriend back in...2008 I believe, and seeing one of these, two toned brown, waft by. I stopped, followed it with my eyes as it passed us, turned to her and said "that's actually a really cool car", and she got the usual blank stare and agreed with me to shut me up I suppose. ..oh and: I agree. This car is absolutely beautiful. Great spec.

Dad looking like he should have been on some sort of register. 😂 👏

Just checking autotrader

You got the toot and wave from a hearse, but you're forgetting you GAVE it to a hearse once. Back in your E39 M5 video.

In Australia some of the wedding hire companies actually fit the venerable Buick 3800 along with the 4L60E transmission connected into old Rollers & Jag’s, from old Holden commodore’s….

My dad had one of these in the late '80s - it was his ambition to own I've before he turned 40. (Actually he had two in succession, because the first one had been in an accident that the salesman managed to hide - when he found out, he went back to the dealership and demanded a replacement.) They are beautiful cars, and ours drew embarrassingly large crowds whenever my dad parked it up on holiday in France. On the plus side, when we visited the Cognac factory, the chairman inquired as to the owner of the Rolls-Royce, and invited us into his office (a suitably luxurious old-world affair) as a result.

In 1980 , when the Silver Spirit was brand new and just been launched against the 126 mercedes , I thought it was cool , little did I know then , as a 15 year old , what it was , I was doing my trade as a motorcycle mechanic (while in school ) in 1981 , that it was the same beast in different clothes . I thought it was great , only to find it was the same nightmare of the Shadow , a (older) friend of mine had inheritited a Shadow of sorts as a settlement of debt , it would not go into any gear but the fulid was perfect . I told him it was a GM400 box , so not a real problem ... lets fast forward to 2000 ish , the car came to me to dispose of , it had a hurst shifter mounted to the tunnel , faultless in operation but faultless , I asked him why , he said , to go floor shift , replace the gm switch , the hurst shifter and the mods were half the cost of another solonoid based switch second hand , never mind the cost when quoted by Rolls Royce for the part , never mind the labour , hence , in the past , I avoided the Shadow like the plauge ( having heard my friend threatening to scrap a 3 year old Rolls in 1982

The problem with service on these cars is the huge amount of labour required to complete most repairs. Unlike modern cars every part can be disassembled and overhauled. This means the "new pads and discs" business model just doesn't apply meaning there is not enough profit to keep the lights on in a shop.

23:05 I play Rock and Punk when driving mine!

At the time the Shadow was launched, the only Citroën sporting (well done James) oleopneumatic suspension was the DS, the last of the "traction avant" models already being out of production for 8 years, the SM and the GS models not arriving for another 5 years...

Enjoyed this James. The pinnacle of all Rolls Royces, IMHO.

Seeing as it got mentioned, I would love to see a review of a Camargue, its one of those cars ive read about 1000 times over but ive seen very little content on RU-vid about them...and what a disastrous failure they were.

Whenever I’m tempted by something like this, I remind myself how I may feel in the cold like of day the next morning after I bought it! 😱😱

Probably the best resto-mod would be a Turbo-hydro 700 4 speed, if it fits that is.

14:03 OMG: a ticking clock in a British Classic Car! What a marvel indeed!

Quite unfortunate that in Europe it's almost impossible to replace the crap that keeps breaking with something better and get the car registered. Would be so nice to have the looks inside and outside, but with e.g. a modern GM or Tesla drivetrain

Always fancied a Shad. Funny what you said about dealers. I bought an Aston Vantage and Aston main dealer wouldn't give me a second pen for my Nephew.

Just looked up the average house price for December1979 (UK) James. £18,542!

That would be my dream color on that car. That interior is gorgeous.

I love to use mine as a daily driver.

Stunning colour combination! Understated elegance! Wonderful! Drinks fantastically like Oliver Reed!

We have to see you in an Arnage with that same (but different) engine!

Perfect ending with the radio on classic FM! Great video

Wonderful colour.

James. Being born the same year as this Silver Shadow II, I understand I probably have 10 years on you, but you seem to have all the maturity, knowledge and cultural references of someone who turns 45 in 2024. How is this? 😁

Another great shirt James. I have moments of considering a classic RR or Bentley, but then I soon snap out of it. I'm not a comfortable wafting gent, I'm a rattle, bump, wind noise and leaks sort of guy. The last two maybe just me.

Both transmissions in the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow had their origins with General Motors. I think the four-speed was made under licence by Royce. The difference between four and three-speed gearboxes was the four-speed had a simple two-element fluid coupling while the three-speed had a torque converter coupling. Fluid couplings do not multiply torque like a torque converter does, which is why the older transmission needed a lower first gear. From what I've seen, the older gearbox (GM Hydramatic?) has rather oddly spaced ratios, where the TH400 is more sensibly geared. The long and short or it being, the change from four- to three speeds in the gearbox wasn't necessarily the retrograde step that it might first appear. By the way, I think I am the only person who prefers the Silver Spirit/Bentley Mulsane (SZ-series) cars to the Silver Shadow/T-Series. Maybe because I'm old enough to remember when the Silver Spirit was new and therefore the Shadow was "the old Rolls-Royce" nice enough but not quite the thing. I've even driven a Spirit and a Bentley Eight, both of which I loved and wish I could have taken home with me.

Any Phantom Coupe reviews in the pipeline?

I honestly an old Corniche is a thing of beauty , some look fantastic think they are definitely a colour specific car that makes the car look better .

Back in the day, when the Volvo was the safety benchmark (mid to late 1980's), I was walking through Kew in London, and saw police everywhere near a totaled Volvo. I still remember thinking, "What the hell did that". Answer, a bit further around the corning was a cream Shadow II with a tiny dent on the driver side front corner. The occupants of the roller were standing on the side of the road - they looked like something from the cover of Sgt Peppers. I have wanted one ever since 🙂

a Rolls is always cool! that grille... the Spirit of Ecstasy.... amazing!

I would absolutely love one of these but don’t think I would sleep at night worrying about the bills….. Great content btw.

In 1980 the list price on one of these was £38k plus extras like Front head rests, Headlamp Wash Wipe, Everflex Roof, Passenger Door Mirror, Sunroof, Rear Picnic Tables and Two Tone Paint. I say this as my dad bought one registered 1980 and three months old with a 1,000 miles on for £30k from Arnett’s of Bournemouth. ❤

The Bose comparison killed me!😂.....soo true.

I remember as a kid in the early 80s buying What Car? magazine and poring over the car listings. Cheapest on sale was the Fiat 126 at something just over £2k. Then at the top was the Rolls-Royce Camargue. At £78122.

My Boss lets me drive his Same colour year model Love it!

Born in the 80’s it was the only choice for our wedding car. Looks amazing in the arty monochrome photos!

Very English and bloody marvelous ,especially with a Vaughn Williams soundtrack while bimbling down a Wiltshire B road in summer sunshine .

My brother bought a roller some years ago, and was very happy with it until the brake line broke. Just a plastic tube any mechanic could fit but no one would. He drove it into the local service station and you'd think he was driving a spaceship. No one wanted to come near it. They told him he'd have to take it back to the dealer. It was I think about fifteen years old and no one would touch it.

Loved this video. Coach building at its finest……………….

This is a beautiful car and a credit to its owner.

Such an incredible car. ❤❤❤❤❤

Great review thank you! Really enjoyed it as a R-R owner. I have to say (and maybe it’s just me) but I don’t ever remember these being uncool. As a teenager I’d have loved us to have one!

Every man and woman to his/her taste, but I have to say my Rolls-Royce Shadow brings me great joy. Yes, she is an "investment" that one continues to "invest" in heavily throughout it's life - if you are wise - but the drive is like no other. I own several cars, but the Rolls is the one that is exquisite to to drive and savour. Mine is a very late '76 Shadow with the steering "box" as you say, however she is very nimble - more than she ought to be - and I have never felt I am "correcting" her direction. I also love the pillow-soft "wallowy" ride she provides. I have never driven a Shadow II - maybe some day. Anyway... back to work to save for her next service :-)

The great turning circle was labelled as Hilton Hotel steering, again after RR listened to their customer's request for a better turning circle in undercover hotel car parks when they went out for dinner, the theatre etc or where travelling staying at hotels.

Three of us spent a week in the west of Ireland in a Shadow 1 some years ago. Driving down those narrow lanes in it was, erm, interesting. It certainly ate the bumpy roads, though.

Its ULEZ exempt.

To often with old big displacement engines, people focus on horsepower numbers but completely ignore torque for some reason......

Me and my ex had a White Shadow 1 for our wedding car, back in 2008! Lovely dark blue interior too and I think it had always been white, but who know 🤷‍♂️

I used to own a silver shadow 1976 , absolutely gorgeous 😊

i like it, would make a good drift car with some mods

Your chilled delivery was almost a parody of John Thompsons Jazz Club...Nice!

Fair play You achieved an interesting video on a car that is of no interest to me Thats a certain gift you have , well done

Seem to remember a company called Harvey Bailey Engineering did suspension kits for them which transformed the handling, contained the roll and maintained the ride. As you say they are so colour dependant - this one looks lovely as do most other metallic shades. Styling wise they are so elegant, I'm not sure if the later Silver Spirits/Spurs will every look good to modern eyes.

I love the silver shadow , I used to work at Harrods 81-93 it was the car of choice for landed gentry 😊

What a fabulous example! An absolute joy to watch.