"Rolls-Royce Motors formed Mulliner Park Ward in 1961 by the merger of two subsidiaries: Park Ward of Willesden, London since 1939 and H. J. Mulliner & Co. of Chiswick, a Rolls-Royce subsidiary since 1959. They were brought in to develop the new unitary constructed Silver Shadow unveiled in 1965 to huge acclaim. Despite being shorter and narrower than the previous Silver Cloud, they actually offered more internal space. The standard Shadow had four doors until the introduction of the coach-built models with a two-door coupé and dropheads respectively. Up to 1970 and pre-Corniche moniker, they were fitted with a 6230cc engine mated to an automatic transmission from General Motors. From 1970 onwards, the well-known 6750cc was fitted to pretty much all models across the range.
These exclusive cars were hand-built in the best traditions of British coachbuilding using only materials of the finest quality including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and burr walnut veneers. Such painstaking attention to detail resulted in a price some 50% higher than that of the standard Silver Shadows. Nevertheless, demand for these more glamorous alternatives always outstripped supply.
 
Starting back in 1969 when this example was originally built and tested by the factory, we are fortunate enough to be able to show the entire factory report, all 29 pages of it. The car still presents in its original Seychelles Blue body colour today with tan leather upholstery. Mention is even made to the requested and addition of chrome GB lettering to the rear on the original order form as well as the original retailer, Hadley Green Garages Ltd. The next significant paperwork comes from Mr. Samuel Weinhoff of New York City in the USA. In June 1987, he undertook a significant restoration including a fully rebuilt engine & gearbox, bare metal repaint all undertaken by the Harvey Motor Company, reported by the Rolls-Royce Owners Club to be the best in the North-eastern United States. Prior to the restoration, some 75,000 miles had passed but with virtually every aspect of the car replaced, restored or overhauled to the tune of some $100,000, the mileage seems academic. The story is then picked up again in 1993 when it was purchased by the Page family in Rye, Kent. They had various general maintenance works carried out by Haynes and Hall Limited, Rolls-Royce & Bentley specialists in Surry up until the point where the husband sadly passed away. The car was then interred for some ten years before it came to the attention of our vendors. They acquired the vehicle knowing that significant work was required to restore this most elegant of motor cars back to the condition that it deserved. And so the second restoration began in earnest, initially going to Ranmore Service & Engineering (originally Royce Engineering) in Surrey. In 2017, a full ‘Schedule C’ service was carried out which included a full set of Avon tyres, drivebelts, alternator, a carburettor rebuild and much more. In 2019, even more detailed invoices are included which detail the entire engine lifted from the car, stripped and inspected. This was found to be damaged and so a good quality donor engine was sourced with 34,000 miles recorded. This was, in turn, rebuilt and the engine bay prepared for re-installation. There are pages showing extensive work on the braking systems on all four corners as well as hydraulic systems reservoirs, height control valves, hydraulic accumulator bodies, hydraulic brake pumps, master cylinders and much more.
Importantly, when you're deciding to buy a Rolls-Royce of this nature, the history of the hydraulics is all important. These are complex systems and need to be in tip-top condition or can end up costing significant amounts further down the road. Fortunately, just 400 miles ago, a full hydraulic overhaul took place including flexible brake hoses, reservoirs, height control valves and accumulators, all were either replaced or overhauled. Full and detailed invoices are included with over £53,000 spent on the mechanical elements alone.
Before all this took place however, the body was stripped back to bare metal, prepared and re-painted in the original colour scheme. Needless to say, it passed an MoT test in 2020 and will arrive to the sale with an additional 12 months to its name. Sergeants of Goudhurst, venerated specialists have monitored progress throughout this second restoration and will sign off this luxury statement-piece prior to sale.
 
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