1968 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow MPW Convertible

• Built in 1968 and one of just 109 right-hand drive Silver Shadow Drophead Coupes
• Benefiting from a recent ú150,000 restoration by marque specialists Michael Hibberd
• The receipted invoices show no expense spared. The engine was rebuilt at a cost of ú28,000
• The odometer reading of some 50,000 miles is largely immaterial with such a well-restored car
• One of the finest examples we have seen and approaching its fiftieth year in outstanding condition

The Corniche, two-door convertible version of the Silver Shadow, has been, without doubt, the most successful convertible ever produced by Rolls-Royce. First introduced in 1966 as the Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two-door drophead coupÚ. With waiting lists measured in years, these hugely desirable vehicles began to change hands at significant premiums over list price and one can imagine the hushed negotiations over the green baize of the gaming tables at Crockfords, the Palm Beach and Aspinalls. The car used a silky smooth 6.75-litre Rolls-Royce V8 engine mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, featured independent suspension with coil springs and hydraulic self-levelling, and the roof was electric, naturally. During its production run, a total of only 1,306 would glide smoothly out of the doors of Mulliner Park Ward.

This early Silver Shadow Convertible was supplied new through Mann Egerton Ltd, Norwich to an L A Trafford Esq. of Mulbarton Lodge, Norfolk and registered as 'GCL 11'. In September 2002, the Rolls-Royce was registered in Ireland, passing in 2006 to Robert Archibald of County Carlow. The next owner had the interior woodwork restored by A J Hickman of Lichfield in 2013, invoice on file, and then commissioned a mechanical refresh to include a brake service by PJG Autos of Bristol, which included new callipers, new master cylinder, and new discs etc. The steering box seals were replaced at the same time. With the car in fine fettle, it was purchased by the owner preceding our vendor in August 2014 and offered for sale two years later in 2017.

It was during our vendor's ownership that the car was to be the subject of a mammoth ú150,000 mechanical and cosmetic restoration between 2017 and 2018 carried out by respected Rolls-Royce specialist Michael Hibberd of Langley, Berkshire. The invoices are incredibly detailed, every part used is listed together with the corresponding part number and cost. Running to some fourteen pages, the invoices show the commitment that our vendor made in restoring the car with no expense spared. Brief highlights of the restoration include an engine rebuild at a cost of some ú28,000 and extensive works to the brakes and suspension. Attention was also paid to the chassis, fuel tank, boot floor and the underbody which was treated with Waxoyl rust proofing. The current odometer reading is a shade over 50,000 miles which is largely immaterial in such a well-restored car. We can supply electronic copy invoices for the work to interested parties prior to the auction.

Supplied to auction with an MOT until July 2020 and the superb history file noting its early ownership, this car is one of the finest restored examples we have ever seen and we recommend allowing plenty of time to read the extensive history, detailed invoices, and enjoy a close inspection of this unimpeachable restoration.