A mechanic has taken to YouTube to urge drivers not to buy a cheap classic car that could come with unexpected faults that may cost a fortune to fix.
David Long runs the Omega Auto Clinic in America and fronts the Car Wizard YouTube channel, regularly posting videos to give advice to motorists who need to get their car fixed or are thinking of buying a used model.
In a recent video, David discusses a number of cars he regrets buying, including a 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow that cost around £20,000 to fix.
He warned: “The car not to buy is my old 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. Every main wiring harness in the entire car had been cut in half by the previous owner, the entire brakes and suspension had leaks all over the place, and this is one of those things on 70s and 80s Rolls Royces that will total them.
“The suspension and braking systems are all tied in together and to go through and do the whole system can take $20,000 to $30,000 (£16,500 to £24,500). There were interior pieces laying in the trunk [boot], and some of them had been hacked so badly it was like a jigsaw puzzle putting it all back together.”
Built from 1965 to 1980, the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow offers the perfect blend of classic styling, luxurious features, and a surprisingly low price, with examples priced from around £5,000.
Whilst the model may sound tempting to first-time classic car owners, David warned that the Silver Shadow has particularly advanced systems that could cost a fortune to put right.
This includes the hydropneumatic suspension system that was developed by Citroen in the 1950s. Whilst the system gives the Rolls Royce an incredibly smooth ride, the hydraulic fluid it uses can leak, resulting in features like the clutch, power steering, and brakes failing.
David also recalled that his example had previously experienced electrical faults, causing the previous owner to rewire various components badly, which resulted in the Rolls Royce being broken for parts.
He added: “There were also so many unknown wiring modifications in unknown places. I’d follow a diagram and end up at a place where it should have five or six wires but it only had two, or the previous owner would rewire everything with only white wires and you don’t know what went where.
“It was really, really bad. It went to J&J Auto Wrecking after it was done and ended up being parted out. It’s gone – that car’s a gonner. Don’t buy it.”
Whilst the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow is not a wise buy for Brits looking to buy a cheap classic car, motorists with a higher budget and a good eye for detail can still get behind the wheel of a solid example, with the classic car insurance provider Hagerty suggesting they may go up in value.
Solid examples that have been cared for are typically priced from around £15,000, with cars in showroom condition could easily fetch upwards of £30,000.
Like with all classic cars, drivers should check the sills, floor pan and wheelarches for signs of rust and look underneath the engine bay for signs of oil or coolant leaks. However, checking for even tyre wear can also help drivers avoid hydraulic issues which have affected the suspension and steering.
