[Henry Perkins]

The gold Anniversary '79 Shadow that I bought from a friend had an annoying tick/knock from the engine, mainly at idle and low revs. We hoped it was something simple but it seems it isn't! It's a piston knock so it means 40 hrs of labour to put it right. Very expensive for either me or officially it's still current owner!

So, we might cut our losses on that one and the plan is that he gives me another one instead. The choice at the moment is between a lovely Le Mans blue '79 and a Chestnut early 1980 car with very low mileage (44,000).

The blue one is lairy, the Chestnut brown is stately and I'm not quite sure which suits me best.

Have a look on ebay and search for the seller 'dovercourtrollsroyce'. You'll see WPO 482T and LUB 373V. These are the cars in question.

Any opinions? He has others too so I might see another I like, or I might even decide to fix the gold one!

 

[Stirling]

Here's the LeMans Blue

Here's the Chestnut

I'm voting for the Chestnut, both for the colour and the mileage.

 

[Henry Perkins]

A good thing about the Le Mans is that it's earlier and therefore closer to being 30 years old and be able to get registered in Germany as a Historic vehicle. It's only by a few months though, so not the end of the world. And it has rear seat belts, but I expect we could swop them over and put them in any car.

And part of me wants a lairy colour, another part doesn't. Ideally I should have both so that I can drive the one that matches my mood....But I don't have room for both!

I think the Chestnut is probably best though, you're right.

 

[Stirling]

"Both" is usually the best option where cars are concerned. I have to admit, I had to look up "lairy" in the dictionary. Now to work it into everyday conversation around the office....

Are there no other 75th Anniversary models available? A couple have gone through eBay in the USA in the last year.

 

[Henry Perkins]

That's my Saaaff East London background coming out.

There was a 75th Anniversary model on ebay UK, it was only 30 chassis numbers from my gold one but it was priced too high. To be honest I don't think they qualify for much of a premium (the seller in this case hadn't even mentioned it in the listing)! It's something to show off to your mates about down the pub: 'Not only have I got a Rolls-Royce, but it's one of only 75' etc, but I think that in the end low mileage, low owner, well looked after cars with history are more desired than special models. Had the Anniversary model had something extra other than red badges and a plaque then it might be a different story.

So, it looks very much like I'm about to obtain my 2nd Rolls already! Whatever happens I will be driving back to Germany in one on April 3rd! Dad is coming with and he's already booked time off work and a flight back!

 

[Henry Perkins]

Someone has chosen the Le Mans....Own up, who was it? I want to hear your reasons.

 

[Lew]

I chose the LeMans. Brown cars are so dated to me. I also really like the seats when they have coordinating piping as opposed to solid colour. Just my personal preference.

 

[Henry Perkins]

That's what I first thought as well.

The Le Mans blue is more of a Bentley colour, don't you think? A bit too bright for an RR. The chestnut is a later car with lower mileage and is a tiny bit newer. Apparently the colour is more popular than the blue (probably because people that want lairy RR's buy Bentleys!)

A lot of browns are petty afful, so hopefully the fact it's an RR will carry it off better. I'll see in Sunday.

 

[Stirling]

So which one did you choose Henry? Looks like your polling has the choices in a dead heat - though the sample size large enough to be scientific

 

[jimknopf]

I've got a "light ocean blue" one - now I'd tend to the brown or chestnut car.
In fact, to me the colour is definitiely not the most important aspect. What is
important is the technical history/background of the car. Any of those vehicles
will need significant care to keep them in good running order.

I'd see and check them both thoroughly and then decide upon their tech status.
When buying a new (used) Royce I would want a car that I can use immediately.
Restoring a car is fine - but for an additional vehicle only.


Greets - JimKnopf

 

[Henry Perkins]

I went for the chesnut one. It's actually not really all that brown, more a sort of metallic bronze. On one of the old MOT certificates it's also been described as 'gold'.

And with a mere 45k miles on the clock (I've added my own 800 miles too) it had to be the one. The heater/aircon doesn't work, nor does the original radio, so that's being done at Silver Lady Rolls and Bentley specialists in Hanault near Romford. It also needs a little new paint on the front wings.

I collect it in June and drive it back to Germany.

 

[Stirling]

Congrats Henry, you must be anxious - you've been waiting awhile. That just makes the getting it that much more sweet.

 

[Rollsroycru]

For me a Rolls Royce or a Bentley must be kept in "as new" conditions only.
Unfortunately the spare parts price result often a true drama...
When I read "air conditioning doesn't, work, paint looks faded, minor rust, needs cosmetic etc.... signify (seriously) spend not les than 10-15.000 Euros in maintenance.
I've not seen the previous car, but if was in very good order except for the engine noise, wasn't maybe better repair the engine and enjoy a true Rolls Royce rather than a poor junk good for parts even with low (badly did) mileage??????

 

[hardhatz]

I shall attempt to attach a pic of a blue one I used to have.....

 

[Rollsroycru]

Oh, in effect the car looks in good shape!