The pickup truck, which belongs to Lord Bamford, is brilliantly designed and comparable to a luxurious yacht on land in terms of its beauty. This implies that the pickup truck is not just a typical utilitarian vehicle but rather a high-end, one-of-a-kind creation
Fit for an aristocrat, British specialist Clark & Carter’s Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow commercial conversion is a true work of art. Its stylish design, intended to serve as a vehicle for team support, is unparalleled, surpassing even transformations like the Maserati and Ferrari of the past. The story of its creation is a fascinating one that needs to be told.
The roots of the inspirational transformation can be traced back to the 1950s, when a young man by the name of Anthony Bamford, who is now a Lord and one of the most respected industrialists in Britain through his family company JCB, came across a Rolls-Royce 20/25 being utilized by the automaker’s factory. This encounter made a profound impact on him, and after sixty years, it served as the driving force behind the creation of the ultimate paddock support vehicle.
The story of the Shadow play begins in 2014 when an already converted Silver Shadow was discovered in the United States.
“When Lord Bamford brought it to our workshop, we were taken aback,” recounts Steve Clark. “The car had a white paint job and the conversion appeared to have been done by someone with little skill.”
The discovered Rolls-Royce boasted unique additions such as a gun rack, a drinks cabinet, and a deep shag-pile carpet. The bumpers were roughly cut, and the side trims had been swapped with wooden ones that resembled a ‘Town and Country’ style.
In an attempt to remedy these faults, the shoddy panel gaps had been brazed together and filled with putty.
Out of all the countries in the world, America seems to have a particular penchant for Rolls-Royce conversions. As the status symbol of the ’70s became a secondhand steal, chop shops started repurposing the car bodies into various forms, including lifted off-roaders with pick-up truck beds.
At Clark & Carter, a team renowned for crafting some of the finest Rolls-Royce and Bentley restorations, there’s a greater degree of reverence for the original purpose and design of the marque.
John Blatchley’s original design served as a significant influence for the British company. Unlike other modified Silver Shadows that had been roughly sliced behind the front doors and covered up with a solid metal panel, Clark & Carter opted to keep the rear quarterlight intact.
Fresh metal segments were created to maintain the Shadow’s sleek appearance where the back doors once stood.
According to Clark, crafting the pick-up bed and fold-down tailgate posed a greater challenge: “To keep things lightweight and user-friendly, we fashioned the rear panel out of aluminum. The previous conversion had a rather unappealing rear bumper, so we took a standard spare and cut it down to resemble a corner piece.”
“Concealed underneath the bumper, there’s a detachable panel that conceals the hitching points for a towbar.”
The rear wing corners’ contour around the Shadow’s standard tail-lights is impeccably executed, and the finishing touch—a plated molding along the storage area’s top edge—perfectly wraps up the transformation.
To match the era-appropriate appearance, white-lined tires were selected, while a Tudor Gray hue complemented the natural wood finish, and the reinstalled chrome trim accentuated the Roller’s graceful silhouette.
The interior has been elegantly refurbished with a luxurious slate-grey leather, creating an exclusive atmosphere reminiscent of a private gentlemen’s club. A black headlining adds to the sophisticated ambience.
While the deep veneered dashboard remains, the only visible modern addition is a new head unit. To ensure the safety of valuables, a security box is installed behind the seats. The exceptional standard of workmanship is evident in every detail of the cabin.
Clark & Carter’s team carefully planned the layout of the storage units in the back, seeking advice from JCB team mechanics, Billy and Bryan. The challenge was to create a stylish rear storage space that would also function as a practical support vehicle. They aimed to keep the design simple, but as they worked on it, the plan became more complex
The final product is a testament to the craftsmanship of a high-end furniture maker: the left side of the vehicle features a complete Rolls-Royce toolkit and jack, all cleverly secured in place.
The fittings have a distinct nautical feel to them, with Clark & Carter’s storeman scouring the internet for hours to locate old stock catches (some had to be handcrafted in-house). The units’ edges are shielded with solid teak to provide protection.
In order to make the converted Silver Shadow functional as a support vehicle, the side storage units were carefully designed to carry the team’s various equipment and spares. The fixed units on one side hold the toolboxes, race gear, and smaller spares, while the middle section has removable panels that allow for extra space to carry larger items like a back axle.
Since the support vehicle will be carrying heavy loads, the rear suspension had to be modified. Adjustable springs were installed to ensure that the weight would be properly supported. However, the rest of the mechanical specifications remain unchanged to maintain the car’s original performance.
Opening the driver’s door of this luxurious car is sure to put a smile on your face. The smooth V8 engine sound coming from under the hood and the plush cabin make you forget the car’s practical conversion. As you hit the road, the amazing ride quality, the powerful acceleration, the effortless steering, and the smooth cornering make you feel like you are in a scene from the Thomas Crown Affair. It’s entertaining to watch people admire the iconic front of the car only to be surprised by the unique and remarkable rear end.
