Welcome to Found Around Town, where we feature cars we find in a city where interesting ones are rare because everyone drives a Prius or rides a bicycle: Austin, Texas.
When I was a young boy, my great grandfather sat me on his knee and he gave me a very important piece of advice. He said, "Boy, whatever you do in life, make sure that you're ballin' out of control at all times." Old Pop-Pop was really on to something, and I've tried to heed his sage wisdom ever since.
But there's one problem with being a baller: it's expensive. However, it can be done on a budget if you play your cards right. Can't afford an insanely awesome European luxury car? Get yourself a used one in dubious condition that's several decades old!
Following that reasoning, this 1968 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is one of the best rides I've seen for those who want to be ballers — but are insufficiently funded.
The car came into the shop of a mechanic buddy of mine and it instantly piqued his curiosity. It's not every day you run across an English super-luxury car that's nearly 45 years old, after all. My friend is fairly sure that this one has not been restored, but it's been kept in fairly decent shape. It's still a classy and striking design, too.
As you can see, this car is right-hand drive and has a huge steering wheel, power windows, full leather and wood inside, and some other surprise luxury features like airplane-style seat trays for the passengers in the back. Ideally, you don't drive this car, someone drives you in it.
There are also a few inauthentic touches, like that Best Buy-grade stereo unit and door speakers. Not very tasteful, but when you're a baller, good taste is in the eye of the beholder.
My mechanic pal says the Rolls-Royce motor got swapped out in favor of a Chevy 350 V8, possibly from an early 1980s Suburban. It makes sense. Those motors are fairly ubiquitous, and I have to imagine they're a bit easier to work on, and get parts for, than the original engine. Whatever helps free up your dollars for more baller escapades, right?
What do you think of old-school Rolls-Royces?