1966-1980 Rolls-Royce & Bentley
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Shadow II, Corniche, Camargue, and Silver Wraith; Bentley T-1, T-2, and Bentley Corniche
Between 1966 and 1980, Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles were characterized by a major shift toward more modern construction methods while still maintaining the marque’s traditional standards of craftsmanship and refinement. The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (1965–1977) and Bentley T-1 (1965–1977) introduced unitary (monocoque) body construction, replacing the separate chassis used in earlier models and significantly improving structural rigidity, ride quality, and interior space. These cars were powered by the well-known aluminum V8 engine and featured advanced engineering for the time, including a sophisticated self-leveling hydraulic suspension system derived from Citroën technology and four-wheel disc brakes. Their successors, the Silver Shadow II (1977–1980) and Bentley T-2 (1977–1980), refined the design with rack-and-pinion steering, improved suspension geometry, and subtle exterior updates while retaining the same core construction and hand-finished interiors.
More exclusive models such as the Rolls-Royce Corniche (introduced 1971) and Bentley Corniche were built as luxury two-door coupes and convertibles with coachbuilt bodies, initially by Mulliner Park Ward, combining the Silver Shadow platform with extensive hand assembly and bespoke detailing. The Rolls-Royce Camargue (1975–1986), styled by Pininfarina, used a similar structural base but emphasized distinctive design and highly individualized interior finishing.
Meanwhile, the Silver Wraith II (1977–1980) continued the tradition of long-wheelbase limousines, featuring extended bodies and chauffeur-oriented luxury. Across all these models, the build philosophy blended modern engineering innovations, such as monocoque construction and complex hydraulic systems, with meticulous hand-crafted interiors, high-quality materials, and quiet, refined performance that defined Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles of the era.
