Man who helped save Rolls-Royce joins car owners for Silver Shadow’s and Cloud’s joint anniversaries.
Shadow Party
A former chairman of Rolls-Royce and Bentley joined classic owners in Crewe last weekend to mark two of the manufacturer’s anniversaries.
Sir David Plastow, who stepped up to become the motor car division’s managing director when Rolls-Royce went into liquidation in 1971 and became chairman of Rolls-Royce Motors a year later, was the guest of honour at the Cheshire event to mark the Silver Shadow’s half century and 60 years of the Silver Cloud.
He told CCW: ‘It was my life to be in Rolls-Royce and Bentley – I originally started there in 1958, and ended up spending more years than I care to remember working for the company. It’s a heck of a privilege to be involved with Rolls-Royce and it’s something you do with real humility – people love these cars the world over and they’re a byword for elegance and quality.
‘The cars at the event were an amazing collection, brought along by some very dedicated people who cherish their Rolls-Royces. It makes me immensely proud to see them back at Crewe for the anniversary.’
The event was organised by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, with members coming from as far afield as Holland and Italy to mark the occasion.
John Beecroft, secretary of the club’s Northern Section, said: ‘The Silver Shadow’s 50th anniversary and 60 years of the Silver Cloud are both very significant in Rolls-Royce history – and it’s great to have so many owners and people involved with Rolls-Royce along to mark the anniversaries.
‘Both models are still very elegant and respected cars to this day, and are held in very high regard not just here in the UK, but around the world too.’