| Author | Message | ||
     Ross Rackham Yet to post message Username: rosco Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2009 |
Hello to all and thank you for allowing me to join your forum. Next step to apply for club membership. Once again I find myself on the precipice of another money hole to satisfy the heart not the head. I picked up my new (old) 1971 Silver Shadow I from Brisbane the other day for a casual one and a half day drive back to Canberra. What can I say that practically all of you already know. The car meets my requirements for any vehicle. 1: I smile when I look at it. 2: I smile when I drive it. Charming is the word that comes to mind. The Shadow is probably one of the cheaper and commoner models of Rolls about but it is within my means (so far) and seems to fit me well. After some inspection I'd say I've paid around 4k too much, but such is life. I should have found this site BEFORE I went looking. Not to worry. At this stage what I need the most is some assistance finding an experienced, reliable and professional technician in Canberra to give the car a thorough going over to establish what will most likely be a reasonable list of “To Do's”. Then I can prioritise repairs and decide which repairs, at this stage, to perform myself. I'm going to be a little lost at first but have had quiet a few years working on my own cars, bikes and work aircraft in the field. I'm hoping to be able to contribute to the forum as time goes on. My biggest hurdle is that I'm all geared up for metric, my only transport lately being Japanese and Italian super-bikes. I looked at Mercs and Beemers but the Shadow just caught my eye. I think much work may work out more cost effective, at first, being farmed out to an expert as I slowly gain experience and tool up for the dreaded Imperial! Here are some pics, white was not my first choice but the interior was one of the better I looked at. I have since found I used to be a Burgundy after removing a headlight. Also, while the brakes function fine the ride levelling is out the door. Hydraulic will be my first priority followed by working my way through all the A/C and heating flappy servos. Any pointers to the right person to inspect the old girl be it outside or another member (I'm happy to sort out an hourly rate) would help me no end. By the way, the amount of technical data available on this site is nothing short of amazing, seriously! I've been on several forums with various vehicles but never with such a wealth on knowledge. Not blowing smoke but DAMN! Well enough of my blithering. Cheers Ross      (Message edited by rosco on 09 August 2009) | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1844 Registered: 4-2003 |
Welcome, Ross, and are you a new resident in Canberra ? It is the world's second best secret after the South Coast nearby. There are a few of us there in Canberra (well, I'll be back in a few weeks after 18 years in Switzerland). We have a car very similar to yours, but with a roundie grille and in Silver Mink, SBH13247. You will see a picture of it on our front lawn in 1983 when you open the spare parts section for your car on http://www.rrtechnical.info/ No doubt, another certain Canberra freak or two will contact you soon. These cars are not unknown in our Capital, and attending to them is often an eclectic choice. Without mentioning commercial names here, you will be inundated with help. Best method is by private messaging over this Forum. RHT. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1845 Registered: 4-2003 |
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| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2009 |
Thanks Richard, I've been in Canberra about 5 years now. A WA boy from way back. The RR is new to me but I'm sure I'll get my head around it. I'm really hoping there will be some local help. These things are just too nice to keep off the road. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be covered in oil, it just helps if you have some one there that knows what their doing. When you get back in town PM me, at the very least we can have a drink or a BBQ. Here's a pic of my other sick passion, mind you I sold my second bike (240hp Hayabusa Turbo) to fund this next folly. Cheers mate, Ross  (Message edited by rosco on 10 August 2009) | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1846 Registered: 4-2003 |
ps: please tell us more about your Silver Shadow, and the chassis number for a start. It looks to be an Australian-delivered one, or else a good conversion. There are a number of giveaway details in the photos, but one or two are missing. The gear lever is a little different from the normal Australian one, but maybe that only came in for the Australian cars in 1972. I see the rear footrests typically in the map pockets. That's where they were when delivered by almost every dealer apart from York Motors where our T came from new. I know of a person who had his Silver Shadow for 30 years. The day he sold it, he asked me about them. He almost fell over when I showed him where they fit. Another trick unknown to many long-term owners is how to turn on the driver's focussed map light. Pull the headlamp switch. Probably you know, but so many owners have removed the bulb as they don't know how to turn it off. Even my Turbo R has that. When all else fails, read the driver's handbook. RHT. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1847 Registered: 4-2003 |
I just saw your post. Yes I am a greasy-fingered bloke too (although I always wear surgical gloves). I have rebuilt the motor and transmission on my 720,000km 1954 R-Type a few times in Forrest, and almost every other moving part at least twice. The T is a different matter as the motors last forever, but transmission, suspension and whatever of course have bruised my hands. The Turbo R is in the same category, and a mate up the road has one almost the same. His son it too young to drive it, so his dad gave him his Porsche 911, which just fits inside the 3.3 Litre limit. All the way from WA. Fantastic. RHT. | ||
| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2009 |
From my limited knowledge and research is seems the body number SRH 11094 says its a 1971, the interior trim looks like a later model ( speakers in all 4 doors ) and the wood trim with the RR monogram on the door trims does not look original. Although the cubby door is inlaid with the RR logo as well. I must confess I'm confused. The chassis number indicates I should have front levelling but it does not. I think if a more knowledgeable owner went over it things would probably make more sense. You'll have to excuse my ignorance at this stage as I've only owned it for about 5 days. One thing I do know is Sasha likes it and unfortunately she takes after me! Cheers Ross   (Message edited by rosco on 10 August 2009) | ||
| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2009 |
Funny thing was I was realy looking for a Turbo R but could not really find one for the right price in the right condition. I remember taking Mrs Bonds new Turbo R for a test drive after fitting the mobile phone in the '80's and falling in love with it! Funny thing was at the time just the stamp duty was worth 2 years wages at the time. Oh yeah, the guy I purchased from showed me the drivers map light. I think the air management will take the longest to sort out. Comming from Queensland the A/C works a treat. Now in Canberra the heating will need some work. Should have seen the dog when I came home from night shift at 6am. It was -5c and did she look pissed! (Message edited by rosco on 10 August 2009) (Message edited by rosco on 10 August 2009) (Message edited by rosco on 10 August 2009) | ||
| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2009 |
Just thinking, any one out there in Canberra that knows a thing or two and has time on their hands. Many drinks are available for advice/assistance either practical or theoretical. I enjoy grease work away from the office. Maint should allways be a social event! | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1848 Registered: 4-2003 |
http://rrtechnical.info/ChassisNumbers/7RRBChassisNumbersBooklet.pdf for the modification list. You missed the quicker steering box. I am unsure about the seats, as they look to be specials. Perhaps someone can enlighten, but the car seems to have been refitted with some Silver Shadow II stuff. Our T has the diagonal stitches at the corners. Those sporty seats were short-lived, but happily ours has them. We have a great reupholsterer/rejuvenator in Canberra for your Magnolia trim if Sasha does her bit. The mirrors are entirely foreigners from a Jaguar, and the spoiler is not kosher of course. Funny about the speakers. It will be interesting to find the history. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1849 Registered: 4-2003 |
There is a re-route for the heating hoses. Ours at first took 10 minutes to warm. That was a Get Rid for some time. After Yorks fixed it upon threat of death, the heater is instant in Winter. | ||
| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2009 |
Yourself of any other of the Canberra members are welcome to meet up and offer any advice or comments about the car. The more I'm told, the more I'll know. Looking froward to it. It seems the car might be a bitsa but I'm happy as long as she looks nice and drives well. That might insult some purists but either way I'm happy. Big day for the ACT road worthy in the morning. Hoping I can get away with the useless hand brake. Cheers Ross | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 1850 Registered: 4-2003 |
Final note: Bond's Turbo R is a Canberra car now. I know the blokes who own it. They run the best panel shop in the world at Fyshwick. | ||
| Peter Colwell Frequent User Username: peter_colwell Post Number: 73 Registered: 3-2005 |
Ross, I share your passion for the two-wheeled mode of travel also. I have just returned from a five week, 13000Km (BMWGS) zig-zag around the USA. My Silver Cloud 1 came from Canberra three years ago, with the assistance of a most experienced and knowledgeable local Rolls-Royce adviser. Who I'm sure you will come to meet. The Canberra club is small but perfectly formed. Welcome! | ||
| Martin Cutler Prolific User Username: martin_cutler Post Number: 125 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi Ross, There must be something about pommy cars and Italian motorcycles. I'm into 1950's Bentleys, and 1970's Laverda triples. Have quite a few Laverda mates in Canberra, one has a Bim, but he keeps it in Austria when he escapes Canberra for the northern summer. Enjoy your new machine. Marty | ||
| Colin Silver Frequent User Username: colsilver Post Number: 57 Registered: 8-2008 |
Welcome Ross We're all glad that you seem to be a new owner who will care for your Royce. It is sad that the price of the Shadows is attracting people wanting to drive them into the ground. In the technical library URL that Richard has posted, download all of Bill's Tee One files. Bill has covered so many topics in them. In my opinion he's been biased towards Shadows so that is in your favour. You'll like his humour, as I do. I've joined them into one PDF file that I can keyword search. | ||
| Ross Rackham New User Username: rosco Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2009 |
Thanks all for the kind welcome. I do intend to keep the old girl on the road for a while yet. I can tell she will be a keeper as I find myself just driving around for no particular reason. Always a good sign! Keeping her going means compromise. As I mentioned in another post I've been replacing all the central locking solenoids and rewiring it. The existing wiring was cracking and some had separated and the solenoids are not really serviceable. Never the less in a few days all the locks will work and I wont have to open the passenger door to unlock the drivers. My next challenge will be the hydraulics. I basically want to do a front to back overhaul. Yes that will require some serious bucks but I believe if done once and done properly they should be good for a good long time to come. This is where I come back to ask, who in Canberra would be competent to do this? Or would it be more practical to find someone in Sydney of Melbourne? Any advice? | ||
| David Thomas New User Username: davidthomas Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2007 |
Hello Ross I acquired a 1975 Shadow two years ago and was recommended at the time to use a Rolls Royce & Bentley specialist here in Melbourne for the pre-purchase inspection and servicing. I have not been disappointed - but rather, delighted! I'd be happy to provide his name if you care to email me at dst1@bigpond.com Cheers, David | ||
| Ross Rackham Experienced User Username: rosco Post Number: 11 Registered: 8-2009 |
Thanks David (email sent), all suggestions are welcome, even from the Melb or Syd areas. I have good friends in either city that the car can be left with if no one can be found in Canberra. And air fares are so cheap it costs less to fly there and back than driving (15mpg). Thanks again Ross (Message edited by rosco on 12 August 2009) |
