SOLD

1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow - Wraith II

Here is a really fine and stunningly original example of a Silver Wraith II. Finished in Chestnut (metallic) with beige Connolly leather with matching beige fine lines to the waist-rails. Interior carpeting is finished in matching light tan.

This is a 1 owner car from new - this is worth repeating; a 1-owner car from brand new! Build date; 11/80 and VIN 41586 making it the 62nd last Silver Shadow (SY) series to come from Crewe (last number: 41648). She was delivered in February 1981 in Texas, then transferred residence only once in its life up to the mid-west for professional storage (rarely if never driven). There the car sat in climate controlled storage for the last 10 years and shows an unquestionable 25,000 miles.

The car is entirely and completely original, has NEVER been restored, and from all my 45 years being with Silver Shadow, I can, without hesitation, claim this to be the most original SY car I have seen - since these cars were near new years ago. When I say this car is in fantastic condition, I am being completely literal. It is the closest thing you will ever find to a show-room condition example.

100% original body & paint.
100% original Everflex top with no issues.
100% original interior with Connolly hide that looks and feels brand new.
100% original wood and other interior fittings.

This is an amazingly all original car with no modifications – from the fine-lines, right down to the original Blaupunkt push button radio and separate cassette player. Being a Texan car, later in Wisconsin for storage (so never used) it has been freed from the perils of any type of harsh weather and is very clean underneath and all over. The car has zero rust issues of any kind, not even light scale on under surfaces.

The body on this Wraith II is entirely straight and the paint is shiny and lustrous. The car still sports 100% of its original paint, which is truly quite amazing given that Rolls-Royce used a single stage paint process that generally did not “go the distance”. To wit, most Rolls-Royces of this era have all been repainted. For this one to be original paint and still remain shiny is a testament to its careful ownership. This is especially true with metallic paints. Sometimes you might see a solid colour (non-metallic) maintain its originality but very rarely, a heavy metallic - that the colour Chestnut is. Even before its tenure in storage over the last 10 years, it could only have been stored in a climate controlled environment when not in use, for it to be this nice. When you look down the sides of the car, they are very straight and true. The paint presents beautifully, super-shiny and, as surprisingly, with virtually no marks at the base of the "A" and "C" pillars (typical lead-wiping joints). There are only the most insignificant imperfections here and there from its minimal use, but consistent with a very low-mileage car. Certainly, it needs nothing other than a wax from time to time. I have included photos in our showrooms and a full set taken in the full sun so you can see just how beautiful the metallic in the Chestnut colour pops in the sunlight.

The interior of this Wraith II is pretty much close to perfect. The beige Vaumol-Luxan Connolly hide leather is 100% original from the factory. It has never been re-dyed and is in absolutely outstanding condition with no tears nor fading and not a single sign of wear. It is super supple and soft – true to its Connolly characteristics. Perhaps these seats were covered and hence protected, because they are truly flawless (those that know me, appreciate I rarely ever use that word). Have a look at the photos where I include many close ups of the leather. My best description, is the leather looks like that of a 2-3 year old Silver Shadow/Wraith II. In my 45 years with Rolls-Royce, the last time I saw Silver Shadow leather this good was back when the cars were new or near new.

A great welcome with true “original Luxan leather” is the colour characteristic. If you look at the pictures of the interior, there are some close-up shots that clearly show the colour is not just plain beige, but with a “burnished” tone to the leather. You can see the beige leather base and then in the fine natural grain and pores of the leather is a darker tone. This natural quasi “antique” leather look (like a Chesterfield couch) was achieved by the hand rubbing Vaumol-Luxan Connollising technique that made this leather so famous. Leather that has been re-dyed by typical methods is “mono-toned” featuring only the 1 primary colour. As such, it lacks depth and richness that unrestored Connolly hide has to offer. This is a "prize" in itself.

The burr walnut wood throughout the car is stunning. They are also completely original and have not been redone. They are not flawless (as I can use that word with the leather) but in excellent condition with only some slight imperfections in the lacquer around the speedometer and 4-way cluster gauge and on the driver front door capping. The remaining three doors are perfect. The colour is deep, the grain rich and the finish smooth.

The head-lining is all original and in fantastic condition still displaying the thick pilling of the Broad cloth wool. Likewise, is the leather finish to the dash and top-roll. The matching beige Wilton wool carpets with beige leather binding are in true "as-new" condition, with even the driver side heel-pad looking like new. The boot (trunk) carpet with the same theme is also in great condition - I would describe the boot space to be "like brand new".

The hubcaps are excellent with no imperfections in the stainless and trim rings. All remaining bright-work is in good condition. Glass is perfect.

Under the bonnet, the presentation is amazing. It has not been precision detailed but simply kept clean and tidy throughout its life. The under-bonnet heat pads are like new! If you were to wonder what a Silver Shadow or Wraith II looked like under the bonnet when new - this is it. You must take the time to look at the photos of the engine bay as its presentation is like that of only a 5 year old example. Simply stunning!

As you would expect, this Wraith II comes with its original jack, correct tools and operating manual. It even has the paper "instruction" templates for the radio and climate control.

If you remember these cars when in show rooms brand new, the epoxy coated steering wheel had a slight softness to it when you pushed in your finger nail. This car does that and I can think of only one other Shadow II that recently displayed this characteristic (that car was a black Shadow II sold by us very recently).

Owners and enthusiasts will know, that any Silver Shadow or Wraith II in this incredible original condition that has covered so few miles, is in need of completely going thru both mechanically and operationally. This is something Park-Ward Motors is famous for and will do so as part of this sale. We call this "Predelivery Commissioning". The type of work that will be done will include every major and minor service and specifically things like the hydraulics. Every single aspect of the system will be gone thru and serviced in detail; brake pumps, reservoir flushed and cleaned with new screens fitted, accumulators replaced, accumulator valves tested and rebuilt if necessary, calipers serviced and rebuilt if deemed necessary, pads with all new rubber flexible hoses replaced. Hydraulic work will extend to the rear height control feature as well. This work alone, is some $10,000. The tyres on the car are original Michelin X whitewalls and will be replaced with brand new whitewalls. If you apply this attention to detail, this is what we will do to every aspect of the car including operational items such as AC, heater, electric windows, seats etc... right down to the most insignificant light bulb in the dash.