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The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, a car that needs no introduction as its manufacturer’s name alone speaks volumes. In 1965, it took over the baton from the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, but it wasn't an easy ride. The Silver Shadow stumbled a bit along the way, but it quickly found its footing.
During the sixties, the competition was fierce, and other car brands like Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz introduced luxurious cars that were similar to Rolls-Royce but cheaper. Rolls-Royce had to redefine itself. They designed the Silver Mist, but it turned out that 'silver mist' meant 'silver crap’ in German. In a hurry, they came up with the name 'Silver Shadow.' The Silver Shadow had to carve out a niche for itself in the market, but it sold well, especially in the United States. Rolls-Royce described its market development with this biting quip: ‘When things don't happen right away, just remember: it takes thirteen hours to build a Toyota but six months to build a Rolls-Royce’, emphasizing their hand-built, artisanal approach.
After some delivery delay and the name issue, the Silver Shadow was ready to conquer the niche market, and it did so with great success. This luxurious RR was made for people who don't settle for just ‘more’, and ‘a lot more’ is exactly what Rols-Royce offer, especially in terms of luxury. According to Rolls-Royce, the V8 engine is so quiet that you can hear the dashboard clock ticking when accelerating. The design exudes British charisma, the meticulous interior finish only adds to that. The leather-clad seats offer unparalleled comfort, and the dashboard is simply stunning with wood accents, attention was paid to every detail. The Silver Shadow pragmatic in any way to Rolls-Royce, and it can’t become any more British than this.
Over the years, the Silver Shadow underwent some changes to ensure even higher quality. For example, in 1970, the engine displacement was increased by 10%. Though, in terms of power, Rolls-Royce has always been mysterious about it. In 1977, the front suspension, the interior, and the aerodynamics were changed, which resulted in a name change to the Silver Shadow II. In 1980, it was succeeded by the Silver Spirit.
A total of approx. 30,000 models was produced when production stops in 1980. This was a lot, at least for Rolls-Royce cars. This car took Rolls-Royce to new levels. 65% of the Silver Shadow are still in use today, showing the craftmanship and the know-how with which these cars are built.
Rolls-Royce Corniche
The Rolls-Royce Corniche is the two-door convertible crafted based on the Silver Shadow. It made its debut in 1971, and it can confidently be said that it was simply the best choice when it came to convertibles. Endowed with the extravagant luxury and prestige guaranteed by the Silver Shadow, the Corniche even added open-top pleasure, as if that wasn't enough.
When the Silver Shadow was succeeded by the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit in 1980, the Corniche continued to be produced, extending all the way to 1995. Then, there was a brief hiatus before reappearing on the market in 2000 for two more years. Over the years, five different versions were introduced, each equipped with the same (or at least very similar) V8 engine.
Alongside the Corniche, the Bentley Continental is also produced, acquiring its final name 'Bentley Continental' in 1984.
The Corniche offers an exotic driving experience in a traditional British package that provides almost an excess of luxury and ingenuity; in other words, it was the best of the best. The provided features even seem to surpass those of some contemporary cars.
Technical information:
Body work
Mechanics
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