Posted July 27, 2014 by 99MilesPerHour1 Comment Extreme Luxury

1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow LWB

10 1967 Silver Shadow LWB saloons exist

The Silver Shadow Series was a dramatic departure from the past. It was lighter and faster than its predecessor the Silver Cloud Series. Monocoque construction was used for the first time on a Rolls Royce. To date, the Silver Shadow Series had the largest production volume of any Rolls Royce. It was built in two series from 1965 until 1980. There were a limited number of long wheelbase saloons that were built for the 1967 model year.

There were only 10 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloons built. One was sold to Princess Margaret. Some were fitted with a power glass privacy division. Cars sold outside the USA were fitted with trunk mounted air conditioning systems that were equipped with the power glass divisions. These 10 rare saloons are highly sought. Production officially began the 1969 model year for the long wheelbase variant.

The early Silver Shadows were pioneers to the next generation of the Rolls Royce saloon. It was the totally democratized saloon devoid the snobbish airs of aristocracy. It attracted a much younger clientele with its avant-garde styling. The 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon epitomized Rolls Royce eloquence.

It was a highly bespoke vehicle made to suit individual tastes. A specification book followed the car throughout its production life logging every detail ensuring the customer’s requirements were being met. No two Rolls Royce motorcars will ever be alike. And no other motorcar is quite like a Rolls Royce. Their philosophy will always be: “Every Rolls Royce should be luxurious and built to the highest possible standards of excellence.”

The 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was handcrafted in the traditional fashion of exemplary fit & finish. The iconic radiator grille was still made in the manner in which it always had. Eight full hides were still used in the cabin. The fine lines augmenting the 14 coats of paint were still applied by hand with a brush. It took around three months to build each Silver Shadow.

Stately eloquence defines the Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloons. Rolls Royce demanded skill, dedication, patience, integrity, and a continuous refusal to accept that what is already done well cannot be done even better. “Good…better…best, never let it rest until the good’s better and better’s best.”

The cabin featured the finest hand-stitched leather by Connolly Brothers. Hand–tufted Wilton 100% wool carpets, some even opted for decadently luxurious mouton rugs. The warmth of rich hand-polished veneers graced the fascia and door capping rails. The wood is polished to a glass-like appearance that is so hard, a cigar may be stubbed out on it without leaving a trace.

All wood veneer in a Rolls Royce is mirror-matched to the opposite side of the cabin. A piece of the veneer was serial numbered and kept on file for the unfortunate accident where damage to the wood was beyond slightly, it could be interchanged with the same grain. Power windows, power steering and brakes were all standard and just a few of the myriad features and conveniences to mention.

Note the carpeted foot rests

It took 8 perfectly matched hides for the cabin

No two Rolls Royces will ever share the same character

Open the bonnet to find an engine bay filled to capacity bristling with technology. Component access can be difficult and replacement parts are rather exorbitant as is routine servicing. They require a technician with the status of specialist to keep a Silver Shadow running at optimum performance. The 1967 Silver Shadow was equipped with the Rolls Royce 6.2 litre 16-valve V8 engine. From 1970 to 1980 the 6.75 litre V8 was used. Both powerplants were mated to GM’s Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 Series automatic transmission.

Its automatic self-leveling system was a high-pressure hydraulic type licensed from Citroen with dual circuit braking. Both front and rear suspensions were controlled by this feature and was later refined to utilize the rear suspension exclusively which is only logical since it did most of the work anyway. A high degree of ride quality resulted from this refinement.

Independent rear suspension and disc brakes were among the many new features introduced by the Sliver Shadow. Technology was augmented by its monocoque construction. This was introduced on the 1965 Silver Shadow. Independent suspension combined with this type of construction was extremely rigid because the body and chassis are fused together to create a single entity. It eliminates squeaks and rattles.

The Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was the latest manifestation of the Rolls Royce range of motorcars. These distinguished saloons offered an incomparable blend of craftsmanship, advanced technology, comfort, and on-going refinement. With only 10 built for the 1967 model year, these unarguably will become priceless museum pieces.

History shows that a Rolls Royce matures in beauty and usually deepens in value if properly maintained. The traditional Rolls Royce commitment to perfection has been handed down through generations of artisans and engineers and still remain in place today with the new Rolls Royce Motor Cars.

Rolls Royce classic exterior styling for the 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was highlighted by chrome front and rear bumpers with massive bumper guards. From its iconic radiator grille with the Spirit of Ecstasy to the formal roofline back to the tastefully understated rear styling, the 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was to put it quite simply…the best there is. Behind the legend is one beauty of a motorcar.

A Rolls Royce makes its presence felt, whether you view it snarled in a traffic jam in Beverly Hills…or arriving at the casino on the French Riviera, it will never pass unnoticed. Since the 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon incorporates its extra inches into the rear compartment, the larger rear doors anonymously hide its secret.

Rolls Royce motorcars stand alone as an incomparable blending of visionary, benchmark principles, and integrity when it comes to the design and execution of the ultra-luxury saloon. The Silver Shadow long wheelbase sedan possessed the classic RR DNA with its hand-polished chromed front and rear bumpers with massive guards.

From its iconic radiator grille with the Spirit of Ecstasy to the formal roof line back to its tasteful rear styling, the 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was to put it quite simply…the best there is. Behind the beauty is one beauty of a motorcar…some things will never change. There were areas that were refined and never changed.

The 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloon was absolutely sure of itself…unmistakable…its graceful architecture becomes more classic with time, not dowdy or antiquated. In this fast-paced world of astounding replication at the assembly lines, Rolls Royce decided long ago to make a few models at a time, and to make them the very best in every aspect that craftsmen and engineers could devise.

Fashion may come and go but the Rolls Royce will always retain its virtues and dedication to quality. Some people who don’t know the brand at hand crafting, and what is probably the slowest assembly line in existence. Remember, a Rolls Royce is created by artisans…not machines…And with only 10 1967 Silver Shadow long wheelbase saloons being made makes them a highly sought item.