Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II

This is a 4-door full-size luxury sedan, produced from 1977 to 1980. The Silver Shadow went through its only major revision in 1977. Its delicate chromed bumpers were replaced with rubber-faced bumpers capable of meeting US 5mph impact requirements, while rack-and-pinion steering succeeded the earlier recirculating-ball setup; passengers were even further coddled with a two-level air-conditioning system.

The dashboard went through a complete redesign, with the bulk of the surrounding padding pared down. There were so many changes, more than 2,000 in all, that Rolls-Royce re-christened the car the Silver Shadow II; its stablemate became the T2. The long-wheelbase Shadow now wore the Silver Wraith II name. Introduction of rack and pinion steering proved a revolution to the handling of the car, and means that drivers familiar to modern vehicles feel much more at home in the Silver Shadow II.

Total Production: 8,425 units Features include: Twin SU carburetors | 6.75 litre V8 engine | Aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder head | 3-speed GM400 automatic gearbox | Independent suspension with front and rear coil springs | Hydraulic self-levelling height control front and rear (from 1969 deleted on front) | Disc/rotor brakes front and rear | Wheelbase 3,035 mm (119.5 in) | Tyre size 235/70VR15