Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and Bentley T1 Tyre Sizes
By KC Saayman
There has been a lot of confusion about the correct tyre size for Silver Shadows. The reason for this is simple. Around 1973/4, starting with Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow chassis number SRC18269 and Bentley T1 chassis no SBH18265 the wheel arches were flared and the track was increased by 6mm, hence the wider tyres. (This is clearly illustrated in the "Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T Series Workshop Manual", Chapter A page A7, A8 and A9)
The pictures above feature SRH4468 (1969) on the left, and SRH19461 (1974) on the right. The flared wheel arches on the later car are clearly visible. See a close-up view below (note the incorrect ventilated wheel disks / hub caps on the earlier (blue) car)
In conclusion, earlier Shadow's and T1's, prior to SRC18269 and SBH18265 should be fitted with 205/80 15 radial tyres, and later cars with 235/70 15 radial tyres. (See "Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T Series Workshop Manual", Chapter A page A7, A8 and A9) Note that the aspect ratio of the narrower 205 tyres should be 80, and on the wider 235 tyres it is 70. That will result in the correct calculated diameter of about 710mm. (Very early Shadows were fitted with 8.15 15 cross-ply tyres, and the 205/80 15 radials are the recommended replacement for these earlier tyres)
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