Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 50 - Sep/Oct 2025 i Rolls-Royce & Bentley Driver

Buying your first example of any classic or older car often involves mixed emotions. The excitement of finally acquiring the car of your dreams is often tempered by concerns over whether you're actually buying a decent example. But that's probably a good thing, as going into any purchase with a blasé attitude is surely asking for trouble. This issue of Rolls-Royce & Bentley Driver boasts extra pages, with 28 in total dedicated to first-time buyers. We have a section featuring our Top 10 classic Rolls-Royce and Bentley buys, with something for every budget… from less than £10,000 to £100,000-plus. And this is followed by handy buying guides for four generations that make such great first-time choices today: the MkVI and R-Type, the Silver Cloud and S-series, the ‘SY’ and ‘SZ’…

Lunaz, a specialist in high-end EV conversions for the Rolls-Royce Phantom V and Silver Cloud, has completed its latest commission on behalf of a client – just in time to mark the Phantom family's centenary year of 2025. The all-electric Phantom V was commissioned by a long-standing Lunaz client and Rolls-Royce collector, who apparently “sought something truly extraordinary to honour this historic milestone”. The original character of the car is said to be preserved, but modern luxuries like satellite navigation, wi-fi connectivity, a sophisticated infotainment suite hidden in the armrest, heated front and rear seats, and a hand-crafted whisky bar have all been added. According to Lunaz, this latest creation involved more than 5500 hours of craftsmanship and the replacement or re-engineering of over 11,000 components. Find out more at…

Bentley Motors has unveiled its new EXP 15 concept, which it says represents the company's design vision for the future “by taking inspiration from its early 20th century grand tourer heritage and interpreting it in a thoroughly modern 21st century way”. The five-metre-plus EXP 15 features an upright grille, ‘endless’ bonnet and rearward cabin that Bentley says is “reminiscent of the 1930 Speed Six Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupe”, better known as the ‘Blue Train’ car. Robin Page, Bentley's Director of Design, said: “It's clear that SUVs are a growing segment and we understand the GT market… but the trickiest segment is the sedan because it's changing. Some customers want a classic ‘three-box’ sedan shape, others a ‘one-box’ design, and others again something more elevated. So, this was a chance for…

The MkVI represented the start of a new era for Bentley, being the marque's inaugural post-war model as well as the first Bentley to be built at Crewe. Crucially, however, it marked the first time that a complete car could be ordered from the factory, with all previous Rolls-Royces and Bentleys having been shipped only as rolling chassis for coachbuilders to work their craft on. Using a shortened version of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith chassis (120 instead of 127 inches) and the same 4257cc straight-six engine (later increased to 4566cc), the MkVI could be had as a ‘Standard Steel’ saloon for just shy of £4500, featuring an all-steel welded body produced by Pressed Steel and painted and trimmed at Crewe. For those needing something more stand-out, bare rolling chassis could…

Although there seemed little to differentiate the Corniche from its Silver Shadow two-door predecessors, the changes were enough to warrant a new name. Exterior updates included a mildly redesigned radiator grille, fog lamps, special wheel trims and a different dashboard, while the engine was reworked to produce 10 per cent more power. Radical restyling was unnecessary thanks to the car's handsome aesthetics, created by John Blatchley and incorporating subtle elements of historic Rolls-Royce design. Running gear was carried across from the standard saloon, which in the case of the Corniche (in both Rolls-Royce and Bentley guises) meant a 6.75-litre L-series V8, SU-fed and driving a GM400 three-speed automatic gearbox at launch. As the standard saloon of the era was upgraded, so too was Corniche – gaining improvements like fuel-injection and…

The revitalisation of Bentley really got moving in 1982 with the launch of the Mulsanne Turbo, the first Bentley in several decades to have a meaningful mechanical difference from its Rolls-Royce sibling. It marked the first step in Vickers’ plan to make the most of its two automotive marques, which would see Bentley evolving to offer the ultimate in high-performance sports saloons. The Mulsanne Turbo offered far more ‘oomph’ than any previous Crewe product, with 50 per cent extra power thanks to the addition of a single turbocharger to the 6.75-litre V8 engine. This gave it a sub-seven-seconds 0-60mph time and a top speed of over 135mph, plus a very real sense of ‘shove’ across the speed range. “Simply massive” was how Autocar magazine summed up the Mulsanne Turbo in…

Major changes at Bentley were inevitable once Volkswagen had full control of the company, hence the headline-grabbing launch of the all-new Continental GT at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. It was the first Bentley with four-wheel drive and it was (in relative terms) something smaller, sportier and more affordable than Crewe had ever made before. There was no connection with any previous model, with the GT owing more to the Volkswagen Phaeton in terms of its platform, transmission, adjustable air suspension and unusual W12 engine – which in Bentley form boasted twin turbochargers and an output of 552bhp, providing a near-200mph top speed and 0-60mph in under five seconds. Revisions in 2008 brought lightweight suspension and improved steering, with variable assistance for more ‘feel’, while the addition of the GT…

Providing in-depth buying advice for a family of models that debuted in 1965 and finally disappeared at the end of the 1990s might seem like a tough ask, given the countless upgrades and changes made during that time. In reality, however, the range that began via the original Silver Shadow and ended with the last of the Silver Spurs has much commonality, with each version sharing essentially the same platform, powerplant and so on. We've already covered the history of the ‘SY’ and ‘SZ’ saloons (on pages 44, 47 and 48), so we'll not repeat ourselves here. But it's worth reiterating just what an extensive array of models these generations offer, with the Silver Shadow (and II), Silver Spirit, Silver Spur and Flying Spur all appealing to Rolls-Royce aficionados, while…

George Rombouts-Howitt's pristine 1939 Derby 4¼ Drophead Coupé, clothed in eye-catching Vanvooren bodywork, was judged the overall winner at the BDC's 77th Summer Concours, held at the 65-acre Walton Hall country estate in Warwickshire. George, who was unfortunately absent on the day, won the prestigious WO Bentley Memorial Foundation Trophy. The top prize was collected on George's behalf by Steve Taylor, MD of restoration specialists Alpine Eagle, who received the accolade from Board Director and chief Concours organiser Barbara Haig. The winning Derby was purchased by George at the start of this year. The 4¼ is one of the last MX-series Derbys to have been produced, and the final Bentley to be delivered to continental Europe before World War II. The car enjoys an illustrious provenance, having once been owned…

“Upon its arrival in Sydney, the then new 20/25 inevitably attracted plenty of publicity” Launched in 1929 to replace the highly successful ‘Twenty', the new 20/25 brought a range of refinements and improvements to Rolls-Royce's entry-level range. It inevitably proved popular among home-market and overseas buyers alike, with wealthy car buyers in Australia being particularly impressed by the 20/25, hence this particular example ending up ‘Down Under’ with its very first owner. These days, the 1934 20/25 bearing chassis number GWE16 is owned by Ian Berg, who brought the car along to our photo shoot in the Melbourne sunshine. What follows, therefore, is a story of a car well-travelled throughout its nine decades and multiple owners, who between them have managed to preserve this particularly handsome survivor. The 20/25's first…

A 1920 Rolls-Royce 40/50 ‘Silver Ghost’ that was stolen in Essex on June 26th was found and recovered from a yard in the Tilbury area by local police just three days later. Responding quickly to new information following widespread publicity and social media activity, the Thurrock Neighbourhood Policing Team headed to the location, armed with a warrant. The car, owned by 82-year-old marque enthusiast Bryan Fitton, was found still loaded on the trailer that had also been stolen, albeit now covered with a tarpaulin. Cheshire-based Bryan spoke about the recovery of his 40/50, a car in which he has travelled extensively over the last 25 years: “I was staying at a local hotel and was shocked to find my beautiful car missing the following morning. I was taking my Rolls-Royce…

Back in 1973, having a pedantic client would have been a familiar experience for Rolls-Royce. This was a company that traditionally attracted the world's wealthiest and most discerning buyers, with each machine being hand-finished to an individual specification. These people wanted the best, and they were entitled to the finest customer service as a result. The original owner of this particular Silver Shadow, however, could well have tested the patience of the team at Crewe, given his unique levels of fastidiousness and attention to detail. The man in question was Peter Fisher, who lived in Staffordshire at the time of ordering his brand new Silver Shadow in late 1972. The completed car wasn't dispatched from Crewe until April 1973, but Peter insisted on following its progress throughout the build, and…

Send an email to rrb.ed@kelsey.co.uk or write to: The Editor, Rolls-Royce & Bentley Driver, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent, ME18 6AL FACEBOOK RESPONSES In late July, we published this photograph on our Facebook page along with the following text: “When Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley Motors in 1931, it marked the start of a traumatic period for Walter Owen (WO) Bentley, who was contracted to remain with the company. WO was even ordered to give up his own beloved Bentley 8 Litre (shown here), which was sold on by Jack Barclay. And to add insult to injury, Rolls-Royce opted to cease production of the magnificent 8 Litre flagship (of which WO was so proud), after a run of just 100 units.” The post was to promote…

When unveiled in 1955, the eagerly awaited new Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S-series were seen as a major advance over what had gone before. The duo featured a brand new chassis and freshly penned factory bodywork by John Blatchley, with significantly larger proportions than the Silver Dawn and R-Type. The suspension was also improved, allowing for a softer ride without sacrificing stability or roadholding. The steering was redesigned for lighter action and greater accuracy, with power steering becoming an optional extra; and the brakes went over to a fully hydraulic system, albeit still with the distinctive mechanical servo arrangement. The familiar straight-six engine was increased in size to 4887cc and the four-speed automatic gearbox became standard. October 1959, however, saw the arrival of the Silver Cloud II and Bentley…

Half a century on from its official unveiling, the Rolls-Royce Camargue still manages to divide opinion among marque enthusiasts. The view of some traditionalists is that this square-cut two-door coupé lacks the grace and elegance that they associate with Rolls-Royce. And yet there is now growing demand for what is one of the most exclusive models of the 1970s and '80s, with a new generation of owners appreciating the Camargue's Italian style and its ability to turn heads. The story behind the Camargue is as interesting as the car itself. Nine years after the debut of the last all-new two-door Rolls-Royce (the Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward, later renamed the Corniche) came this Pininfarina-styled model in 1975, combining large proportions (which you'd expect) with adventurously sharp styling (which you wouldn't),…

With the ongoing success of Bentley's turbocharged saloons, 1991 saw the launch of the Continental R, featuring the drivetrain and running gear of the Turbo R housed in an eye-catching coupé bodyshell and treated to one of the most famous and prestigious names in Bentley history. It was the first Bentley since the coachbuilt Continental models of the 1950s to feature bodywork that wasn't shared with any Rolls-Royce. Numerous updates were introduced over the years, the first arriving in 1994 when the engine's cylinder heads were redesigned to improve torque and top-end power (to 360bhp), while wheel size was increased to 17-inch. At the same time, a limited-edition model with even more power – the Continental S – was offered, with just 37 cars providing an estimated 385bhp and shaving…

As you'll already have read on page 42 of this issue, the MkVI represented the start of a new era for Bentley, being the marque's first ever model to be built at Crewe, as well as the first to be sold as a complete car direct from the factory. And although the MkVI inevitably made use of Rolls-Royce componentry, it was adapted to suit – particularly the chassis, which was derived from that of the Silver Wraith but with seven inches cut from its 127-inch length. Powered by the Silver Wraith's 4257cc straight-six engine (later increased to 4556cc), the MkVI was at its most prolific in ‘Standard Steel’ guise, with its welded body being produced by Pressed Steel and its final assembly (including painting and trimming) being carried out at…

Although the new Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage of 1998 shared essentially the same bodyshell, with their radiator grilles and bonnet pressings being the only major bodywork differences, big changes lay beneath those bonnets. Both cars featured BMW-supplied powerplants (a first for Crewe), but the Silver Seraph used a 5.4-litre V12 while the Arnage sported a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. Further change came as early as October 1999, however, when the old L-series V8 was reintroduced for the Bentley, creating the Arnage Red Label. The BMW-powered alternative (by now badged as the Green Label) would cease production a few months later. The Arnage went on to be a long-lived model, with VW investing in improvements and upgrades along the way, while the Silver Seraph ceased production in late 2002. By…

Up until the launch of the Mulsanne Turbo in 1982, the Bentley marque remained overlooked by the vast majority of Crewe's clients. The T-series had enjoyed only a tiny fraction of the success of the Silver Shadow from the mid-1960s onwards; and once the Silver Spirit and new Mulsanne had finally made their debut in 1980, the Bentley version took an even smaller percentage of sales. During the 1970s, serious consideration had been given to phasing out Bentley altogether, such was its lack of success by then. But Crewe boss David Plastow decided against such a move, choosing instead to reinvent the historic marque as the high-performance arm of Rolls-Royce Motors. Indeed, as early as 1973, Plastow had approached engineering chief John Hollings with an idea that now seems remarkably…

SUPPORTED BY +44 (0) 1455 292949 www.flyingspares.com Our last report ended on a positive note, with the whole family sitting on a bench by the Forth Rail Bridge, eating fish and chips and regarding the handsome, shiny Rolls-Royce next to us with pride. With the interior woodwork refinished, the doors locking and unlocking, and the windows going up and down, I'd even found time to overcome my fear of machine polishing and buff the paintwork. There was another large bill on the horizon, however, as I knew the compliance cushions in the rear subframe needed attention. I therefore booked the car in with Ross McLeod of Mulsanne Motors, based in Dalkeith, for a date in June. Yet this fault – a thump from the rear of the car when a…

A unique 1927 Bentley 3 Litre Boat-Tail Speed Model, owned by the Jaques family and featuring glorious Martin Walter coachwork, was awarded top prize at the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Concours, held on July 9th in the grounds of the Club's historic Woodcote Park estate – with over 200 of the world's finest road and track cars being showcased. Commenting on the win, Ben Cussons, chairman of the Judges, said: “This is a stunning example of 1920s coachbuilding, when owners would purchase a chassis, engine and gearbox, and then choose a body style. Bentleys of the era are usually associated with Le Mans, yet this boat-tail body – complete with ensign flying at the stern and sculpted wings – is very different.”…

What was it about the '60s and yellow Rolls-Royce Phantoms? During 1964, two such vehicles – a 1932 Phantom II and a 1937 Phantom III – burst colourfully onto the celebrity car scene courtesy of the movies The Yellow Rolls-Royce and Goldfinger, both of which we've recently featured in the magazine. But even these flamboyant and famous Phantoms were eclipsed by the mind-altering machine that served as a kaleidoscopic overture to the Summer of Love and the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album a few years later. John Lennon acquired his Phantom V in June 1965, during the height of Beatlemania; but in 1967, as the Fab Four transformed from mop-top boy band into psychedelic pioneers of music and fashion, so his Rolls-Royce also underwent a radical and…

The next generation of Rolls-Royce proved revolutionary, with the Silver Shadow of 1965 bringing monocoque bodywork for the first time. But there was also revolution under the skin, as this hi-tech newcomer utilised a fully independent suspension set-up based on the hydraulic system used by Citroën, although Rolls-Royce engineers further developed the design to allow a control valve in the braking system to direct the 2500psi of hydraulic pressure stored in the fore and aft located suspension accumulators to the car's multiple calipers (with a pair of huge calipers acting on each front disc). The first-generation Silver Shadow and Bentley T-series of 1965 went on sale with list prices of just over £6500. Although the John Blatchley-designed newcomers were 8.9cm narrower and 18cm shorter than their Silver Cloud and S-series…

Although serious discussions about a replacement for the Silver Shadow began as early as 1972, it wasn't until eight years later that the eagerly awaited SZ-generation models finally took a bow: the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and Bentley Mulsanne, each of which used a modified version of their ‘SY’ predecessors’ platform. One demand from the boardroom was that the new car had to look fresh and modern, yet retain as much of the Silver Shadow's engineering as possible. This meant that the entire drivetrain and running gear would be carried over, which meant Rolls-Royce's long-serving V8 engine driving through a GM Hydramatic three-speed auto. The Silver Shadow II's rear suspension was improved via the addition of a ‘refinement package’, designed to improve handling by redesigning the angle of the rear trailing…

Launched just before Vickers agreed to sell Rolls-Royce Motors, resulting in frenzied discussions between Volkswagen and BMW and the subsequent splitting of the two marques, the new Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage of 1998 shared essentially the same bodyshell, with radiator grilles and bonnet pressings being the only major differences. It was under those bonnets, however, where the contrasts were greatest, despite both cars featuring BMW-supplied powerplants – a 5.4-litre V12 in the case of the Rolls-Royce, while the Bentley sported a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. This was the first time that Rolls-Royce Motors had brought engines in from an outside supplier, but it was a clever move. The refinement of the V12 ideally suited the Rolls-Royce, while the allure of a turbocharged V8 was perfect for the performance-hungry Bentley fan.…

The debut of the Silver Cloud in 1955 marked the start of a decade-long success story, its handsome ‘Standard Steel’ coachwork attracting a new generation of Rolls-Royce buyers. It looked fresh and modern, yet it retained many of the styling cues that marque traditionalists expected. And they were equally pleased with what lay beneath, as the Silver Cloud featured a separate chassis, live rear axle and conventional suspension. The familiar 4887cc straight-six engine was used, although this would be replaced in 1959 by Rolls-Royce’s all-new L-series V8 in 6230cc guise, which arrived via the Silver Cloud II. Then three years later came the logically named Silver Cloud III, which brought numerous updates – including quad headlamps and a slightly lower radiator grille for a modern new look. The Silver Cloud…

In late June, 84 club cars and 160 members from 12 nations joined the 2025 RREC International Rally, this spectacular five-day tour taking place across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, and featuring a variety of cars from a 1920 Silver Ghost to a brand new Phantom VIII supplied by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Germany. The event commenced in Belgium at Hotel Domain Polderwind, giving an opportunity to gather and to meet old friends and make new ones. Following a leisurely breakfast, the next destination was Hotel Kasteel Vaalsbroek for Thursday night, with members cruising at their own pace, taking in the sights of Belgium and a visit to the ancient city of Vaals. On Friday morning, following breakfast, some members visited Aachen Cathedral, while others proceeded on to the 18th century…

Having completed an electronic ignition conversion in our last instalment, for our 13th Technical Guide we're sticking with the same 1969 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, this time focusing on its water pump replacement. It's timely, of course, as the arrival of regular summer heatwaves means all classic car owners should be on high alert for signs of a failing water pump. Is the engine getting very hot? Have you noticed any leaks? Any unusual grinding or whining noises? If so, it might be time to change the all-important water pump. And on the Silver Shadow, it's a reasonably straightforward job, well within the scope of decent DIY repairers. It is also a vitally important one. If the water pump has actually blown, however, you should stop driving immediately or you'll risk…

I just bought a 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit for £3000. Am I mad? Well, it's all Eddie's fault! My friend knew that I was the proud owner of 11 cars built between 1997 and 2005, all British and including a beautiful Bentley Brooklands that I bought in 2015 from Colbrook, the Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist based near Peterborough. So, he decided to send me a photograph of a Silver Spirit that he had come across on his travels in Norfolk, with the caption: “One for your collection?”. Only this example was different… very different! The asking price of £3500 and the USA-spec headlights rang alarm bells, and I heard a cacophony of loud voices behind me from every classic car journalist whose work I have ever read: “You can buy…