Estimated Price: £25,000 - £30,000

The motor industry's almost wholesale switch to unitary construction, in particular Rolls-Royce's adoption of the method for building its new Silver Shadow, meant that by the mid-1960s the market for traditional coachbuilt automobiles had been severely curtailed. Of the many hundreds of firms trading pre-war, just two - James Young and the now combined firm of H J Mulliner, Park Ward Ltd - were left to meet the demand for a coachbuilt Rolls-Royce or Bentley, though these might be more accurately termed conversions rather than 100% bespoke creations.

Recalling its glamorous Grands Routiers of pre-war days such as the Phantom II Continental, Rolls-Royce's final coachbuilt models - entrusted to the company's in-house coachbuilder, H J Mulliner, Park Ward - were limited to just two, a two-door coupé or similar convertible, the former arriving in March 1966 and the latter in September the following year. The 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, a necessarily lengthy process that took all of 20 weeks for the saloon and slightly longer for the more complex convertible. This painstaking attention to detail resulted in a price some 50% higher than the standard Silver Shadow's. Nevertheless, demand for these more glamorous alternatives to the much more numerous Shadow was strong right from the start, a state of affairs that resulted in them being given their own model name, Corniche, in March 1971.

The elegant Silver Shadow (MPW) Coupé ( #CRH7260) on offer here was first registered on 2nd February 1970, however according to the seller, it was the 1969 Show Car at the Scottish Motor Show and then promptly dispatched to retailer H.A. Fox & Sons of Richmond. It's first lucky owner was David Barker of Jabez Barker & Sons Ltd, London.

The car was subject to a substantial restoration between 2013 and 2015, the quality of which is evident in our images. The car presents beautifully in its original colour of Regal Red and the paintwork gleams all around with no obvious blemishes. The underside and lower sills present in very good order with very light natural oxidation in evidence since the car’s restoration was ten years ago. The smart 15" steel wheels are painted in body colour and finished with chromed inserts and they too appear blemish free and are a fitted with a healthy set of Avon Turbosteel tyres. At the front, the headlight lenses are crystal clear, the plastic indicator/reflector lenses show no hint of sun-bleaching and the brightwork is in exceptional condition.

Classic Rolls-Royce interior in Tan leather with maroon carpets much of which, during the restoration, was retained and recommissioned where possible and the car is all the better for it. The dashboard and centre console, the door cards, sun visors and other soft furnishings present in excellent condition. Furthermore, we understand that all the instruments and switchgear work as originally intended.

The quality of this previously restored and very well presented Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (MPW) should generate significant interest both within the Rolls-Royce Register and wider classic car enthusiasts’ community and we welcome and encourage your viewing at our Silverstone Festival sale.