H&H Classics will be selling George Best’s white 1972 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow this October.
The legendary footballer scored 137 times for Manchester United in 361 appearances. He helped his team to victory in the European Cup and was crowned European Footballer of the Year in 1968, but to some he was more famous for his off-field behaviour. He was once quoted as saying: "I spent 90% of my money on women, drink and fast cars. The rest I wasted”.
Launched in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was the Crewe-based company’s first monocoque design, and also benefited from olio-pneumatic rear suspension, power disc brakes and, from 1968, GM’s silken 400 series automatic gearbox mated to a 6230cc V8 engine (upgraded to 6750cc in 1970). The luxurious interior includes sumptuous leather hides, rich wood veneers and deep lambswool carpets.
According to its accompanying records, this particular example – chassis number SRH 13549 – was built in accordance with ‘Page 16 Issue 12 SVR.1067 of the Special Vehicles requirement brochure’. Factory finished in Acrylic White with Black leather upholstery, Grey Ambla headlining and Black carpets, the luxury saloon was supplied new to Grassicks Garage Limited of Perth, Scotland as a ‘Trials Car’ on 27th June 1972. As well as ‘Plain Sundym Glass throughout’ and an ‘internally adjustable mirror to the driver’s door’, optional equipment also included ‘Automatic Speed Control’. A letter on file from Tony Clark of Grassicks Ltd reveals that the Silver Shadow was sold to Best before the Scottish Rolls-Royce distributor had had the chance to open a Service Record for it.
No stranger to publicity, George Best and his new acquisition were photographed by the Daily Mirror in the showrooms of Ian Anthony Car Sales on 4th December 1972. The car has sported various registration numbers over the past forty-four years but on that occasion wore plates advertising Mr. Anthony’s Manchester-based dealership.
Repainted since belonging to Best, the luxury saloon has also gained a Black vinyl roof covering - a ‘must have’ automotive accessory during the late-1970s - and later-style integral reversing lamps. However, the Silver Shadow still retains its original steering wheel, Black leather upholstery and Grey Ambla headlining. Thus, any future custodian has the pleasure of knowing that they are not only driving a car that George Best owned in his heyday but also sitting on the very same leather.
Acquired by its last registered keeper during 1994, chassis SRH 13549 has had some £22,000 spent on it over the last twenty-two years. Adorned with more aesthetically pleasing bumpers than their successors, first series Silver Shadows have become increasingly collectible of late (with post 1970 cars boasting both the more powerful engine and smoother transmission). The Rolls-Royce possesses a current MOT certificate valid until 14th June 2017. H&H Classics have placed an estimate on the Roller at between £10,000 to £15,000 when it goes under the hammer at the Duxford sale on October 12, at the Imperial War Museum, Cambridgeshire.