The iconic Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow has proved itself to be a luxury vintage car suitable for both royalty and a Hollywood legend. One model created a unique link between US acting legend Burt Reynolds and the UK’s glamorous Princess Margaret, after they each owned the opulent auto during its 50-year history.
A collector’s dream, the bespoke 1975 Silver Shadow LWB Saloon was produced to order by the British vehicle manufacturer, after receiving detailed instructions from the princess.
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After serving the royal family for six years, the unique Silver Shadow was later shipped to the US, where it became a status symbol for Reynolds. The star of Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run was one of the world’s biggest box office attractions at the time.
Luxury car fit for royalty
The British royals have always been known for their love of luxury and vintage cars, with Queen Elizabeth II’s younger sister, Margaret, having first owned a Rolls-Royce when she was 22. She was a familiar figure driving her Phantom IV model from the time it was first delivered, in July 1952, until 1967.
In fact, Royal driveways have been graced with a number of opulent marques over the years, with family favourites also including Aston Martin, Bentley, Range Rover and MG. The royal fleet of vehicles, including their famous vintage car collection, seldom retained their stock trim, with the upgrades including everything from bulletproof glass to flagpoles.
The Rolls-Royce has historically been used as a state car, which has elevated the brand to an exceptionally high status. The UK royal connection was said to have aided the manufacturer’s survival during the 1970s – a tough time for the global motors industry.
Back in 1974, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, was often in the news for her glamorous lifestyle, the newspapers filled with photos of the 44-year-old relaxing at her holiday home on the private island of Mustique, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. She ordered a new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow to replace her old car, but specified it must be in the same colour, which was Cardinal Red, with a black vinyl roof. The interior was also of a bespoke specification, featuring a smooth black leather interior and cherry red carpets.
Superb styling fit for royalty
The Silver-Shadow is a perfect combination of the angular style of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and the sweeping curves of the earlier Silver Cloud III. The manufacturer also replaced the previous body-on-chassis construction of their early cars with the latest unibody design, also adding independent rear suspension. With an interior that was wider and roomier as a result of the unibody design, it was described as the “most opulent of any car in the world” when the model was launched in 1965.
The Silver Shadow became a favourite for bridal cars and chauffeur-driven fleets, not least because it had a powerful 6,230cc V8 engine between 1965 and 1970, when this was replaced by the 6,750cc engine.
In addition to the standard luxury of the model, Princess Margaret’s Silver Shadow, with personalised registration plate 3 GXM, also added an illuminated blue police lamp – a familiar addition for royal vehicles. Princess Margaret cherished the car for several years, until she decided to upgrade to a new Silver Wraith II in 1979.
Burt Reynolds’ car culture
In 1984, the princess’s unique Silver Shadow was on its way to a new owner. Actor Burt Reynolds had arranged for it to be shipped across the Atlantic to his Florida home. He was forever linked to car culture thanks to his role in Smokey and the Bandit – the film featured plenty of car and truck chases, earning Reynolds a reputation for liking fast cars and being a bit of a daredevil. It seemed fitting that a luxury car, whose former owner was a princess, should end up in the Hollywood action hero’s garage, particularly since the Silver Shadow arrived in the same year that his cult film Cannonball Run II was released.
Where is the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow now?
The dream car was in Reynolds’ ownership for several years, but was shipped back to Europe at some point, where it disappeared off the radar. However, in 2021, more than 30 years after it was last heard of, the legendary collectors’ car hit the headlines again. News reports announced it was to be auctioned by Sotheby’s auction house in Eschen, Liechtenstein, in June 2021, causing a wave of excitement among classic car enthusiasts. A flurry of bidding ended with the Silver Shadow selling for £113,800 to a private buyer whose identity remained secret.
Only time will tell if the luxury vehicle makes another appearance in the future.
