1974 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Extended Cab Long

Where ostentatious tastes saw bell-bottom plaid suits, Marlboro man moustaches and Studio 54 night-clubs. When the films of the era were Clockwork Orange, Annie Hall and Taxi Driver, the broadway show was Jesus Christ Superstar and Chicago and Liza Minnelli won best actress Oscar for Cabaret. TV was all about Charlies Angels in the US whilst we watched The Sweeney and Minder in the UK. On opposing sides of that big pond we laughed at Richard Pryor and the Morecambe And Wise duo. Whilst some loved Liberace with all his glitz and glamour, so did others fan to Elton John displaying similarly outrageous stage get-up and showmanship. America had boat-sized Cadillacs whilst the UK had groovy Minis and sexy E-type Jaguars. The world was changing towards atomized individualism and away from communitarianism. The 1970s was all about being showy and flashy - for ones self - with big statements and plenty of pizzazz - where too much was just enough., , In the midst of all this, this one Bentley surely spoke out - in every bit of the language - she is the epitome of the 1970s., , This is a striking combination Bentley T, finished in Regency Bronze (a rich honey gold colour) with a dark brown vinyl top and hand-painted fine lines in matching brown to the waist lines and hub-cap beauty rings. The Savoy velvet interior is finished in a very rich and well over the top gold-tan colour with contrasting dark cigar brown carpeting and dash. The Savoy velvet option was a factory one and rarely ordered - no doubt because of its rather flamboyant presentation. , , The colour combination is completely 1970s and if you are not into the 70s look, you will most likely find it in poor taste. But this is for the lover of that era and you have to get it to like it. , , The Bentley was designed to be the conservative mans Rolls-Royce, so we can well visualise its original purchaser ordering this over-stated understatement with its strong gold colour scheme. Not nouveau riche because it is a Bentley after all. But a young man from old money. Ordered from Saville Row thru Berkley Square, this was the Bentley of Bentleys of the 70s., , This is a European delivered example that has been incredibly well maintained over the years. , , As the most obvious alteration from what might be expected to be found on a Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor car from this time could be considered that the seats are not trimmed with leather. As specified by the customer these are “gold Parkertex Savoy Velvet”, a velvet cloth of the finest quality to be used throughout the interior. The interior of the car is quite original; make no mistake, the velour interior came this way from the Crewe factory. And even though we are some 40 years on, it remains without a single mark or blemish nor sign of wear (as you might otherwise expect on such a fabric). The headlining, carpets, leather dash and console are all in stunning original condition. , , Only the wood has been redone, but at what a blessing. At a cost of some $3,000 it is finished like glass with no less than 25 coats of clear lacquer each wet-sanded and buffed between coats to deliver a very deep and rich finish. It is the dark Milanese Burl walnut with a straight walnut crossbanding. Absolutely flawless in presentation. , , In keeping with the design flare choice of its first owner, the car has a 70s state of the art Blaupunkt cassette player option fitted in concert with its Blue Dot Blaupunkt push-button radio. These were only just available. And, a set of factory fitted air horns. Of course it would have them! The leather bound steering was another factory option. These are all handsome touches in the finest bespoke tradition of the era. Even the front headrests were special order as these are the type usually reserved for the Corniche model., , Read more: go to www.parkwardmotors.com