Is a '76 Rolls a good idea?
Discussion
Chaps,
Hope you will excuse a newbie.. just thought I'd try and pick some more experienced brains about what I hope will be my new project car.
I'm going to buy a Rolls. I have under £10k, but have budget for other stuff to get it up to scratch.I would like a car from the '70s really (the Spirit appeals), and I would like to do a fair bit more than just restore it, because I'd really like to prep it to travel across America in in a couple of years. A car that I could possibly give to my boy as a bit of a family heritage thing.
Was just wondering what cars you would recommend to go for in terms of reliability (I can't do a mechanical money pit), any versions that you think are worth avoiding or seeking out? Also, who's had good experiences with dealers, or should I go private?
Was thinking a '76 Silver Spirit. Am I off the mark?
To anyone that can help, thanks. I feel I might need it!
Ape x
Hope you will excuse a newbie.. just thought I'd try and pick some more experienced brains about what I hope will be my new project car.
I'm going to buy a Rolls. I have under £10k, but have budget for other stuff to get it up to scratch.I would like a car from the '70s really (the Spirit appeals), and I would like to do a fair bit more than just restore it, because I'd really like to prep it to travel across America in in a couple of years. A car that I could possibly give to my boy as a bit of a family heritage thing.
Was just wondering what cars you would recommend to go for in terms of reliability (I can't do a mechanical money pit), any versions that you think are worth avoiding or seeking out? Also, who's had good experiences with dealers, or should I go private?
Was thinking a '76 Silver Spirit. Am I off the mark?
To anyone that can help, thanks. I feel I might need it!
Ape x
I think you mean the Shadow, not the Spirit, which was launched in 1980.
£10K should get a good Shadow, although there is no shortage of cheap Spirits.
Worth joining the RREC and anything you consider needs a proper inspection.
There are sure to be others along later who know their Shadows.
£10K should get a good Shadow, although there is no shortage of cheap Spirits.
Worth joining the RREC and anything you consider needs a proper inspection.
There are sure to be others along later who know their Shadows.
I had a "mint" Shadow 2 from a well known 2nd hand rolls dealer.
Their definition of "mint" and mine were somewhat in conflict. Most of the cars out there havent been serviced properly.
Far better to find a car from an owner in the RREC or BDC, and buy direct. Preferably someone local to you. Find out where the good local specialists are.
The Shadow 2 is a wonderful car to waft about it. And I wished I'd bought the truly mint LWB one that PAWood had... except it was 30k (which with hindsight wasnt an unreasonbly figure for a really sorted, proper history car)
Their definition of "mint" and mine were somewhat in conflict. Most of the cars out there havent been serviced properly.
Far better to find a car from an owner in the RREC or BDC, and buy direct. Preferably someone local to you. Find out where the good local specialists are.
The Shadow 2 is a wonderful car to waft about it. And I wished I'd bought the truly mint LWB one that PAWood had... except it was 30k (which with hindsight wasnt an unreasonbly figure for a really sorted, proper history car)
A good shadow 11 is hard to find, I looked at around 10 before I got mine, a 1979 with 80k miles in Royal Garnet. Never drive it much, it took us to Le Mans this year and have hardly had time to use it since. Mines has one of the best interiors I have seen in a `79 car and is realy realy clean, a few pics for you....
I paid £8.5k for mine and think I have spent maybe £1000 on it in 3 years (mainly due to lack of use), rebuilt the brakes, did a big service and had some air con work done as well.
marc
I paid £8.5k for mine and think I have spent maybe £1000 on it in 3 years (mainly due to lack of use), rebuilt the brakes, did a big service and had some air con work done as well.
marc
Thank you, with the Royal Garnet paint work it still looks supprisingly modern and still cuts a dash. For what they cost new they are a bargain, buy a good one and it will be the best money you have ever spent, buy a bad one and you would hate it. I find that mine has to be perfect to really enjoy it and even the slightest rattle spoils the occasion.
If you were serious, I'd be tempted to go for a Shadow 2 / T2 rather than the first series of these cars. Better handling, steering and air conditioning the reasons why.
Buy on service history and condition rather than price. A higher mile, A1 car is a far better prospect than a low mileage car that needs a second mortgage worth of bodywork.
Have any prospective purchase FULLY inspected by someone who knows what they're looking at / looking for. In spite of age, these cars are hellishly complicated, particularly the braking / suspension systems.
Rot is a bit of an issue - particular problem areas seem to be wheel arches and rear valances.
Insist on Avon tyres - my old mans tried the cheaper US tyres, and in his words they were "cheap, dangerous shit"
Engines are bulletproof, if maintained correctly. Expect a well run model to use a litre or two of oil between services. They all do.
Servicing IS expensive. Period. This is why there are so many knackers out there - the reality is that most people cannot actually afford to run them - properly. They were expensive, technology laden cars when they were new, and the servicing costs reflect this.
OK, how do I know this? My old man ran a T1 from 1990 to 2004. He put nearly 100,000 miles on it and the car was sold on with over 250,000 on the clock. It had a FBSH from new to when he took charge of it, and during his tenure went to a well respected independant.
Dads just flown out to the US for a few weeks, but if you've any other questions I'll do my best to answer them.
Good luck,
Greg
Buy on service history and condition rather than price. A higher mile, A1 car is a far better prospect than a low mileage car that needs a second mortgage worth of bodywork.
Have any prospective purchase FULLY inspected by someone who knows what they're looking at / looking for. In spite of age, these cars are hellishly complicated, particularly the braking / suspension systems.
Rot is a bit of an issue - particular problem areas seem to be wheel arches and rear valances.
Insist on Avon tyres - my old mans tried the cheaper US tyres, and in his words they were "cheap, dangerous shit"
Engines are bulletproof, if maintained correctly. Expect a well run model to use a litre or two of oil between services. They all do.
Servicing IS expensive. Period. This is why there are so many knackers out there - the reality is that most people cannot actually afford to run them - properly. They were expensive, technology laden cars when they were new, and the servicing costs reflect this.
OK, how do I know this? My old man ran a T1 from 1990 to 2004. He put nearly 100,000 miles on it and the car was sold on with over 250,000 on the clock. It had a FBSH from new to when he took charge of it, and during his tenure went to a well respected independant.
Dads just flown out to the US for a few weeks, but if you've any other questions I'll do my best to answer them.
Good luck,
Greg
thanks 
I love that car Agree with most of what Greg has to say 
If you can service and repair the car your self then they are no more money to service than any other car. Oil filters and air filters are cheap, as are spark plugs and gear box filters even brake pads arent that dear.. The main advantage with old Royce's is that all the components can be `overhauled` with all the parts still available from Bentley, Eg as rear height valve is circa £300 new, a rebuild kit is £14. You can even buy a starter motor overhaul kit, power steering pump kit etc etc. and it make repairing then fairly cheap if you can do it yourself
marc.
If you can service and repair the car your self then they are no more money to service than any other car. Oil filters and air filters are cheap, as are spark plugs and gear box filters even brake pads arent that dear.. The main advantage with old Royce's is that all the components can be `overhauled` with all the parts still available from Bentley, Eg as rear height valve is circa £300 new, a rebuild kit is £14. You can even buy a starter motor overhaul kit, power steering pump kit etc etc. and it make repairing then fairly cheap if you can do it yourself marc.
Hi Ape,
There are 10 pages on buying Rolls Royces (especially Silver Shadows) in November's Classic Cars magazine. If you can't find a copy, let me know and I'll copy or send the relevant pages - not the whole mag because there's some TR7 content!
Thanks for being a good host today - you're a proper gent.
Matt
There are 10 pages on buying Rolls Royces (especially Silver Shadows) in November's Classic Cars magazine. If you can't find a copy, let me know and I'll copy or send the relevant pages - not the whole mag because there's some TR7 content!
Thanks for being a good host today - you're a proper gent.
Matt
Edited by cheeky on Tuesday 12th December 21:47
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