Saleofcar.com :Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Long Wheelbase (1973)
for sale

Price: US $20,000.00

Description:

We have run out of room!
As avid Rolls-Royce collectors/owners, we have had the privilege of owning twelve (yes an even dozen) Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motorcars. A wise person once said ‘you don’t own a Rolls, you are the caretaker of a Rolls”. Truer words have never been spoken as over 65% of all Rolls-Royce’s ever built (since 1904) are still on the road, hence the term Caretaker.
We have enjoyed the caretaking and driving enjoyment of our vintage cars and certainly would not consider selling them unless it was truly time to transfer the enjoyment to another. That time has come as we cannot renew the lease on our large garage where they live. So—available for sale are five of our collection. We aren’t E-Bay experts, but if you click on ‘other items for sale by this seller’ you’ll find the rest of the collection for your consideration.
Listed here for sale is our 1973 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Long WheelBase. (in 1977 Rolls changed the name of the Long WheelBase Shadow to Silver Wraith II). Less than 10% of the Silver Shadows built are LWB’s which makes this model so much in demand and valuable. The Long Wheelbase model is approximately 4 inches longer which provides much more legroom and the overall exterior is of the proper proportions. The LWB also is fitted with a much smaller rear window which gives additional privacy and the limousine look. All LWB Rolls have a top covered in Everflex fabric and includes an additional Rolls-Royce Badge on each side to remind you that you are about to enter the finest Motorcar of the ‘70’s! Also important in 1973 some of the imported Rolls-Royces had the original ‘Chrome Bumpers’ and others had the newer ‘5 mile per hour bumpers’. You determine for yourself which you prefer. This car was built in Crewe, England and according to the build sheets “Caribe Aqua” exterior with a Cream Everflex Coach Top and Magnolia Connelly Hides. The Caribe Aqua was a ‘Non-Standard Paint’, therefore this car was finished by Coachbuilder H.J. Mulliner. It was shipped from England directly to New York by special expedited container as it was a special order by Mr. Whitney then the Vice Chairman of Rolls-Royce Ltd. for his sister Mrs. Pauline De Brossard of Long Island New York. The sticker price in 1973 was $32, 175 (the average price of a single family detached home in So. Cal. in 1973 was $30, 000—interesting as a new Rolls Phantom Extended Wheelbase is about $480k today).
We purchased this Rolls in February 2002 from the estate of Walter Jinotti of New Jersey. He was an inventor of medical devices and had an elaborate car collection. You would think this is where the story ends, BUT when we were at Balboa Park in San Diego, a gentleman came over to the car—knew all about the custom color, model, and even showed us some unique items in the car. He had ridden in this car in San Diego in the 80’s to his Prom with his date as their family had owned this car for 20 years. When her mother passed, her father sold it to his co-inventor Dr. Jinotti in New Jersey. (the actual names of the owners in San Diego will be released via phone if you’re the new owner of this Rolls).
Sadly Dr. Jinotti’s family hadn’t properly taken care of the fluids for many years, and the engine seized. We purchased a ’79 Silver Shadow II which had been in a rear end crash, had the engine pulled and installed in this car in 2002. That ’79 Rolls had 38, 000 miles so the engine was absolutely fresh and strong.
It is a true ‘survivor’. To my knowledge, she is as original as can be as there is no evidence of a repaint or interior replacement. Even the ‘White Fine Lines’ (pin striping in Rolls language) is original, although through years of waxing these hand drawn stripes are broken in most places. It has the original AM/FM radio (which works perfectly), the original 8 Track player (which did work—but seems to have a stuck capstain so is inoperable) and an aftermarket Toshiba CD changer which works when it feels like it). The paint is ok in most places, but due to heavy use of a buffer, it is burned in a few places as well as on the left front fender the paint has had an attack by brake fluid. My goal with the car was to get it mechanically as perfect as possible, a re-spray of the Caribe Aqua. The color is available, so if painted the same color it should be relatively reasonable, or enjoy her as she is. I feel this car is mechanically done, but have run out of time to complete the final piece of getting her painted. She has a great set of Goodyear Regatta Tires (less than 7, 000 miles on them), the leather is a beautiful white (magnolia) and shows appropriate wear, the Everflex top is excellent, the a/c blows ice cold (newer compressor), seats, windows, door locks—all issues on a car this age--- work flawlessly. Only the cruise control is non operable. You’ll be surprised how smooth 80+ feels in this Silver Shadow.
Actual mileage on the Rolls is unknown. She was purchased from an estate sale and the odometer (like all Rolls up to 1977) doesn’t have the 100k mile marker. Currently the odometer reads 56, 421---and I have no reason to believe this isn’t actual. She drives like a solid Shadow of under 100k miles should: straight down the road, lots of power, solid braking, and her hydraulic ride control keeps her ‘on her lines’ at all times.
Since owning her, we have gone through her completely to be sure she is mechanically sound. All fluids including a full servicing of her complex hydraulic braking and load leveling systems has been accomplished. We have a retired Rolls-Royce Trained Mechanic to help maintain all our fine vehicles. You’ll notice a pic of the hydraulic tank—very hard to see the fluid level because it is so fresh and clean! We aren’t experts in the business of auto maintenance, but between our mechanic’s 40 years of experience as well as our education in owning 12 of these beauties, we feel confident this Rolls is in great shape and would drive this car anywhere, but she is sold as is where is.
She is absolutely gorgeous as you can see in the detailed pictures, but not a Concours level car. She meets the Hagerty description of Excellent minus the cost of a re-spray. You will find all the ‘tell tale signs of wear’ are not here---i.e. I think she has always been garaged as the light lenses are perfectly clear, and the chrome is brilliantly shiny. When we purchased her, they had the wrong catalytic converter installed, which scorched the carpet under the driver’s seat, as well as the carpet in the trunk has been torn. She is complete with a new battery and very reliable. We are proud long term and active members of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club and proudly take her on many Club outings.
You will be astonished at the ‘thumbs up’ you will receive driving her around town and you’ll always find her parked ‘up front’ by the valets as she is truly a stately and beautiful Rolls-Royce.
Feel free to email, call or text any questions and I’ll get back to you quickly. My cell is 619-300-4274 Rick. Thank you for taking the time to review this fantastic LWB Silver Shadow and I welcome you to come to San Diego and see her in person.

_{update: 2016-02-08}