1967 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Standard Steel Saloon
SRX3421
The Murphy association with SRX3421 began in 1970 when Butch Sr. returned from factory training and serviced his first Rolls-Royce. This was when the original owner, Mr. Marsh, had just traded it in on a new 1970 Silver Shadow and Butch Sr was given the task of looking the car over and servicing before the dealer would list the car for sale. The car was originally monotone astral blue and in an attempt to liven the car up a little for resale, John McCombe had the sides painted in period shell grey.
The car was bought by Mr. Dustin Swisher for his wife Margarette in 1970. Butch Sr continued servicing the car virtually exclusively for Mrs. Swisher until 1993, when at 94 years young decided it was time to stop driving. Her husband passed away shortly after they acquired the car and they never had children. SRX3421 followed Butch Sr from Conners Chevrolet (they acquired the RR franchise in late 1969), to Rolls-Royce of Columbus, then to an independant facilty of McCombe Motors and then onto EF Murphy Inc. During this time, the car maintained its originality, other than the grey sides, and was kept in proper running condition.
In 1984, Butch Sr opened EF Murphy Inc and SRX3142 was one of the first cars in for service. When his son, Butch Jr. began working/assisting on cars in the shop, the first Silver Shadow he touched was SRX 3142. And later this was the first Silver Shadow Butch Jr overhauled the complex brake and hydraulic system.
Mrs. Swisher upon deciding to stop driving, made Butch Sr a deal he could not refuse. She told him, he has been the primary caretaker of this car and she wanted to know it would be in good hands. Once Butch Sr acquired ownership, he continued to see her at least monthly and take her for a drive in SRX3421 and visit their old farm. The car had been titled as a 1968 RR which is very different from the unique 1967 USA model car. Having the title changed to correct the year was a lengthy process and involved Rolls-Royce Motors, on official letterhead, to acknowledge SRX3421 was in a fact a 1967 model. Once the title was corrected, he then fit custom EFM license plates, which still remain on the car today. The alloy wheels were added in 2003 to personalize the car while keeping the original wheels and covers stored away.
Mr. Murphy continued to use the car extensively and attended many RROC National Meets in it. Then like many cars, for one reason or another became stored away. Butch Jr. acquired the car from his dad in 2018. Butch Jr. undertook the recomissioning of this car. This is when his son, Andrew got his hands dirty as he learned how to overhaul his first Shadow brake system. A good detailing and the car was back on the road to be enjoyed by our family.
Further improvements done include refinishing the complete interior woodwork by Steve Glazier and his son Seth. The leather interior was removed, rejunevated and recolored in its original blue.
This car was used to bring home his grandchildren Ashley and Andrew as well as many special occassions.
