I'm officially astonished.

[malthaussen]

I was idly browsing for info about the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (no, I'm not planning on buying one, but it is one of the iconic cars of my youth), and I see they are being auctioned at eBay for 7000 USD. Good grief, I know they're 50 years old, but that is some price for a Roller.

One was selling for even less, but it had "been left outside for about a year" and was in bad condition. What kind of foul miscreant would leave a Rolls-Royce sit outside for a year?

-- Mal

[niyad]

1. that person deserves every nasty thing we can think of--complete sacrilege!!

[TexasBushwhacker]

2. I went and checked them out

There are actually a few that are less than $10K that are in good shape, with less than 100K miles. That's something I've never understood; having a beautiful car and not driving it. I bet insurance costs a bundle. They even have white wall tires!

[Initech]

5. Maintenance on cars like that can be ridiculous.

Brakes, filters, everything else costs way more on a Rolls than it would with any other car. There's a reason these cars cost so much.

[riderinthestorm]

6. I'd guess finding parts and a mechanic knowledgeable to fix it would be hard. nt

[jmowreader]

7. Older Rolls-Royces weren't meant to be owner-driven

They figured if you had the money to buy the car you also had money to hire someone to drive the abominable thing. A Rolls-Royce gets roughly the same gas mileage as a Mack truck but it's less maneuverable.

And The Rich are not known for their desire to recite the British Motor Car Owner's Prayer ("Lucas, Prince of Darkness, let me get home tonight&quot before beginning a journey.

[OriginalGeek]

4. Heck my granpda keeps his 65 Pontiac LeMans in the garage (when we aren't riding around town)

I can't even image the level of depravity required to leave a Rolls out in the elements. Barbaric!

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. Speaking of sweet rides

If I won the lottery, I might have to buy this baby.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5718812575.html

[KatyaR]

9. Holy crap, that's gorgeous.

I love old Fiats, but this one takes the cake. Except I'd be scared to death to drive it in the city for fear someone would ding it....

[TexasBushwhacker]

13. That twisty seat in the front!

Of course, being from 1958, they don't have seat belts and certainly not air bags. But if I won the lottery, it could be ONE of my cars

[MineralMan]

16. It's cute. I wouldn't pay that much for it, though.

It is still a 1958 Fiat. Certainly not a good choice as a daily driver. It wasn't then, and it isn't now. I've owned a few Fiats from the late 50s and early 60s. They were never my favorites. I switched to British cars of that vintage and was much happier.

My 1959 AH Sprite was my all-time favorite small sports car. Fun to drive and easy to maintain.

[Kingofalldems]

18. That is sharp.

[Dreamer Tatum]

10. You need access to ancient service manuals and a tool and die shop to keep them up

which is why they're almost free.

Look at a mid-200s Mercedes S600. They can be had for $15000, and you'll spend that in a year keeping it up.

[malthaussen]

12. Yeah, I was looking at the 450 SLs...

... what used to be known as the "LA Chevy." They, too, are ridiculously cheap up front, and just plain ridiculous to maintain.

-- Mal

[panader0]

11. Studebaker Golden Hawk for me please.

[Aristus]

14. There's an old myth that states that once you purchase a Rolls, R-R will keep you supplied with free

replacement parts for life.

Absolutely absurd, of course. One would be able to keep a Rolls running forever at practically no cost. Even R-R has to rely at least a little on after-market revenue to keep in business.

I wonder if these owners believed that myth (which could be dispelled just by asking a company rep) before they bought their cars?

[malthaussen]

15. Zippo lighters, on the other hand...

-- Mal

[Aristus]

17. Easy. Unless you're the Bagwan Rashneesh, one really can't afford multiple Rolls-Royces.

Not so with Zippos. At one time I owned three, and I don't even smoke.