1967 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Coupe

Some of the frontal panels were shared with the standard four-door saloon, but otherwise the new bodyshells were unique, featuring a distinctive dipping upper wing line with parallel crease, and revised, more rounded posterior. Construction involved shuttling the bodyshells between the Crewe factory and MPW's Willesden plant, a necessarily lengthy process that took all of 20 weeks for the saloon and slightly longer for the more complex convertible. 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 resulting in a price some 50% higher than that of the standard Silver Shadow.

Nevertheless, demand for these more glamorous alternatives to the much more numerous four-door model was strong right from the start, a state of affairs that resulted in them being given their own model name - 'Corniche' - in March 1971. This honest early Shadow is an exceptionally well-sorted example. It does have a few cosmetic blemishes but the mechanicals are exceptional.

Bonham's staff was witness to the cars performance on a two-hour road trip at speeds up to 80 mph. The car performed flawlessly - even the air conditioning is ice cold. The interior is nice original with an appealing patina to the black Connolly leather.

As these are the last cars before emission controls and crash bumpers were mandated they are growing in desirability. They perform very well at today's high way speed and are good reliable cars. Rarely do examples this mechanically sorted come available this car is highly recommended in that respect.