Silver Shadow I or II?

[trigbush]

Been doing a lot of research on these for several months. Have bought the Malcolm Bobbitt book. Bid close to a couple but have not taken the plunge. I would be interested in people's views on whether a II is preferable to a I?

Personally I prefer the cleaner chrome look of the late series I ('74-75, etc) but the II obviously comes with all the model improvements after 12 years of build (6.8L block, GM400 gearbox, wider section tyres, ventilated front disc braking, flared wheel arches, electronic ignition, rack and pinion steering, hydrapneumatique suspension on the back only...).

Any comments appreciated. Cheers

[Xtriple129]

Hello, may I just say: Get it done!

personally, SS11 is one of my favourite cars of all time, the styling etc is just right and it looks modern (well, more modern than the SS1) and classy. The various mechanical upgrades made to the 11 really do enhance what was already a very fine motor car and a late Shadow 11 is mechanically very similar to the first series of Silver Spirits. The rack and pinion steering alone is worth the purchase though it has to be said, the racks are very small and it's a big, heavy car so they are prone to leaking. Do not hold on full lock to make it last much longer.

Don't forget that the Shadow 1 got many, many upgrades throughout its life which makes driving a late SS1 very different to an early car. RR always update and improve constantly (well, they did before Ze Germans got them ) and so you really have to try a few and to see which you like.

[trigbush]

Cheers mate. I really have the bug for these cars (as well as Bentleys). In the flurry of missing out on a solid SS1 recently I also bid on a solid Turbo RL...fantastic car.

[Huntsman]

I have a '76. Its in the manshed at the house we have for sale, with the newly rebuild engine waiting to be fitted. We're in a rented house and I just have no space for it.

My preference would be one of the very early cars, 6.2ltr, 4 speed, chippendale dash and the beautiful early style interior door furniture.

However, i can see the attraction of the later cars. I guess its a matter of personal choice, rather than a decision based on which is the better car.

A few II's have had a bumpers swapped to chrome I bumpers. Perhaps a nice compromise.

I think, with Shadows and T's, its more important to find a colour combo you like rather than a specific generation and of course, condition is everything. I choose mine, needing a new engine, as its vermillion with chocolate leather.

Lovely cars, get one.

[jeyjey]

It's 6 of one, half-dozen of the other for me. I like the simpler AC system on the I. But the rack-and-pinion steering on the II is definitely a plus, as are the wider wheel arches. Then again, the early Chippendale dashes are great.

In the end I think I'd just get the best example I could fine, whatever the vintage.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[OLDBENZ]

There is a late series 1 model known as the 1A which had some of the Series II upgrades in the Series I body (although with Series II arches) with the chrome bumpers. This might be good compromise.

I ran a T2 for eleven years and loved it to bits. Only needed annual servicing and tyres.

It could have done with higher gearing for motorways but that and 11mpg are the only things I can fault.

One of the great remaining classic car bargains in my view.

[trigbush]

Thanks folks. Took the plunge yesterday after getting close to a few cars. 1974 Series I but with flared wheel arches. Body and interior in excellent condition in Seychelles Blue with Grey Hide, front headrests, picnic tables. In long term ownership 1999-2017. Have build records and original invoice and details since then. Happy days!

[AndrewCrown]

Thank you for starting this thread...I made a deal with a client we’d be buying one of these and I’m way behind on my research

[trigbush]

If you've been watching the markets, the good Series IIs are rapidly disappearing off the market. Prices are going up, and I believe they will pull up the good late series I prices as well. Historics at Brooklands in September saw a mint Willow Gold sold for 41k including premium. Last Wednesday I was at H+H at Duxford where a one-owner with 17k miles failed to sell on a provisional bid of 36k.

Underappreciated, underloved, these cars - if well-maintained - are great value classics right now. Problem is weeding out all the chaff...

[trigbush]

a few photos

[williamp]

very nice. Quick question: if the steering is so different (and better on the II), is it possible to install the latter steering system?

[Huntsman]

williamp said:

very nice. Quick question: if the steering is so different (and better on the II), is it possible to install the latter steering system?

That would be a major work up! Not really viable. Early car is box. Later car is rack, I'm not sure there is many differences in the body, but the subframe would need to be changed, I suspect that would unravell into other issues. You'd need a complete Shad II donor car.

would be easier to buy a Shad II and make it look like a Shad I with a set of bumpers from Harrington.

Edited by Huntsman on Sunday 19th November 22:25

[Huntsman]

trigbush said:

a few photos

Lovely. Must be very close to mine.

You are quite right, when looking for one, discount all the junk, discount all the over priced, discount the white wedding cars, and in my case the cream/magnolia leather and the dull colours, there isn't much left.

[trigbush]

Huntsman said:

That would be a major work up! Not really viable. Early car is box. Later car is rack, I'm not sure there is many differences in the body, but the subframe would need to be changed, I suspect that would unravell into other issues. You'd need a complete Shad II donor car.

would be easier to buy a Shad II and make it look like a Shad I with a set of bumpers from Harrington.

Edited by Huntsman on Sunday 19th November 22:25

Agree. You need a Shad II precisely because of the box and the subframe. But you can put chrome bumpers on a Shad II...

[trigbush]

Huntsman said:

trigbush said:

a few photos

Lovely. Must be very close to mine.

You are quite right, when looking for one, discount all the junk, discount all the over priced, discount the white wedding cars, and in my case the cream/magnolia leather and the dull colours, there isn't much left.

Cheers. Agree entirely!

[Huntsman]

trigbush said:

Cheers. Agree entirely!

I can't tell you how badly I wanted this

http://www.brabocars.com/cs_car_details.php?serial...

[ruhall]

trigbush said:

a few photos

Very nice. Are the others yours or a 'gathering?

Have you looked into the Harvey Bailey handling kit? (assuming it's still available). It won't address the steering directly but does make bit of a difference (I have it - Shadow 11). I think some of the later steering wheels are slightly smaller diameter, which might help (I have one on mine but am not in a position to compare new/old diameters and it was fitted years ago, so can't recall).

[trigbush]

I don't think the HB can be fitted as noted above?

[Huntsman]

trigbush said:

I don't think the HB can be fitted as noted above?

I thought the HB kit is springs and anti roll bars and can be fitted to any Shadow?

[ruhall]

trigbush said:

I don't think the HB can be fitted as noted above?

Assuming they're still going (last news entry was 2013), they do various kits for Shadow1 and 11. See link

http://www.harveybailey.co.uk/Kits.html