16 replies to this topic

[campaj1]

Having my tea break, got me thinking, could the rather lovely 'bullseye' airvents from an old Roller be used in a Mini? Wondering if anyone has done it?

Thanks

[Wigeon Incognito]

Now that's a rather nice idea, I guess anything can work with a little modification.

Watch prices of these skyrocket now!

Matt.

[campaj1]

Oops, shouldn't have said anything lol

They are few and far between anyway, and possibly a bit of a custom job!

Currently have the chrome trims on original vents... these could make say a walnut dash like that on my MPI look less of an afterthought!

[campaj1]

And here they are in situ on a rare early Chippendale dash Shadow... always been tempting old buses! Total antithesis of a Mini though!

[Tamworthbay]

I drove one a few years ago. I expected to hate it but it was great fun. They don't half shift but the body roll when chucking them through corners is hilarious. As is the look on saxo driving spotty teenagers when you fly past them at the lights. The second mortgage to fill the tank is not so good though.

[campaj1]

The essence of the cheap barge   ocean-liner portions of roll! It ain't called a Roller for nothing!

Not many on here can probably relate to a Shad, but they are great in their own way!

Can relate re: fuel consumption, and LPG on a car of this pedigree just seems wrong!

[Wigeon Incognito]

Yes I sold my old Mercedes 560SEL a few months ago and miss a bit of waft.

The nigh on identical Bentley T2 is what I've promised myself once new house/garage is sorted - that's quite a hurdle though and a little way in the future!

I love the old buses, and a play in a James Young Bentley Turbo R a few weeks ago reignited the desire.

Matt.

[surfblue63]

I have often thought about using those Rolls eyeballs as they feel great. I'm not sure how far the plunger that opens them goes into the dash, and how easy it would be to adapt them into the Mini vents.

 

My late father had a couple of Rolls-Royces and was a member of the RREC. He started with a 1972 Shadow Saloon, which he had for about 8 years. It was then traded for this old banger.

 

 

It's a 1973 Corniche. Pretty much the same as the shadow to drive except for the scuttle shake. I preffered the saloon as you could hustle it along quite quickly, I got into three figures on the speedo once whilst the fuel gauge plumitted. It did around 12-15mpg normally. Scarring boy racers at the lights was always fun as the thing had so much torque.

 

Here's the dash of the Corniche. Note the gear lever, which looks like an indicator stalk. Lots of lovely wood and leather, it's probaby why my Sprite is like it is.

 

Edited by surfblue63, 04 December 2013 - 09:12 PM.

[campaj1]

Yes I sold my old Mercedes 560SEL a few months ago and miss a bit of waft.

The nigh on identical Bentley T2 is what I've promised myself once new house/garage is sorted - that's quite a hurdle though and a little way in the future!

I love the old buses, and a play in a James Young Bentley Turbo R a few weeks ago reignited the desire.

Matt.

The old Merc S classes are lovely slushmobiles too: £2000 ish W140s are always tempting!

Yeah, the Bentley nose probably suits the car better, decent T2s are few and far between though!

Turbo Rs are just funny because they look and feel so soft and lazy until BAM you rocket towards the horizon.

Ridiculously good value.

 

 

I have often thought about using those Rolls eyeballs as they feel great. I'm not sure how far the plunger that opens them goes into the dash, and how easy it would be to adapt them into the Mini vents.

 

My late father had a couple of Rolls-Royces and was a member of the RREC. He started with a 1972 Shadow Saloon, which he had for about 8 years. It was then traded for this old banger.

 

 

It's a 1973 Corniche. Pretty much the same as the shadow to drive except for the scuttle shake. I preffered the saloon as you could hustle it along quite quickly, I got into three figures on the speedo once whilst the fuel gauge plumitted. It did around 12-15mpg normally. Scarring boy racers at the lights was always fun as the thing had so much torque.

 

Here's the dash of the Corniche. Note the gear lever, which looks like an indicator stalk. Lots of lovely wood and leather, it's probaby why my Sprite is like it is.

 

Very smart!

I even wondered about the vents without the organ pulls, or would that be sacrilege?! Either way there are enough walnut dashboards about to muck about with on a Mini!

Always liked the Corniches as a relaxed Riviera cruiser (hence the name I suppose) but you definitely wouldn't want to hustle one!

Shadows are probably better value though at a fraction of the price.

Sadly all these cars have been slightly tainted by the 70s DJ effect... which is a shame because they really are/were great cars.

PS what's the Sprite like? :)

Edited by campaj1, 04 December 2013 - 09:54 PM.

[surfblue63]

The biggest problem with these old Rolls-Royces is the repair bills. My fathers were looked after by Sargeants of Goudhurst. The bill for the annual service and MOT could be anything between £750 and £2500 depending on what needed doing, and that was 10 to 20 years ago.

I might one day buy a Corniche FHC as I think these are one of the best looking Rolls' you can get.

[Cooperman]

My wife owned a white RR Shadow a while back when she owned a wedding shop.

I have to say it was not a nice car to drive. I always thought they were driven slowly because they were driven by poseurs and old men. Then I realised they are driven slowly because they are unsafe at speed, especially in the wet. To think she sold her 450SL Merc to buy the Roller. Still, she liked it I guess  .

[campaj1]

The biggest problem with these old Rolls-Royces is the repair bills. My fathers were looked after by Sargeants of Goudhurst. The bill for the annual service and MOT could be anything between £750 and £2500 depending on what needed doing, and that was 10 to 20 years ago.

I might one day buy a Corniche FHC as I think these are one of the best looking Rolls' you can get.

Yeah, in five year's ownership you could easily blow the value of the car on maintenance!

Forget the old "Mondeo Money Roller" adage, I think of this more as a quirky alternative to a middling exec I reckon!

The FHC Corniche's are pretty smart, bit more exclusive than a regular saloon too, and certainly better than the hideous Camargue!

 

 

My wife owned a white RR Shadow a while back when she owned a wedding shop.

I have to say it was not a nice car to drive. I always thought they were driven slowly because they were driven by poseurs and old men. Then I realised they are driven slowly because they are unsafe at speed, especially in the wet. To think she sold her 450SL Merc to buy the Roller. Still, she liked it I guess  .

Interesting, was it a Shadow I or II? The II's are reportedly less of a handful, as they got rack-and-pinion steering and some suspension adaptations. Still handles with the dexterity of the QE2 though! I guess the thought of the fuel drain would also make you drive a little slower! 

 

Anyway, back to the point, I like the vents 

[surfblue63]

Then I realised they are driven slowly because they are unsafe at speed, especially in the wet. 

 

I guess your wifes' must have been a bad example, as I never had a problem with them feeling unsafe.

[Cooperman]

 

Then I realised they are driven slowly because they are unsafe at speed, especially in the wet. 

 

I guess your wifes' must have been a bad example, as I never had a problem with them feeling unsafe.

 

There seemed to be very little, in fact virtually no steering 'feel' and the steering & brakes were 'over-powered'. I've driven both Shadow 1's and Shadow 2's and compared with big Mercs & BMW's they always seem unwieldy and vague. Maybe it's just me, but I can't say I've ever enjoyed driving Rollers.

[surfblue63]

Yes I agree they can be a bit woolly and the steering over assisted when compared to BMs and Mercs, but once you allow for that they are a nice relaxed drive. Also when going down the motorway people seam to pull over a lot quicker than when driving one of the Germans. Old Rolls' are very under-rated car, hence why they are so cheap.