There is probably no other product anywhere in the world as marketable as a Rolls-Royce. Whether one appreciates the marque or not, no other car is as instantly recognisable as a Rolls Royce, and certainly no other car has the ability to make such an impression. The idea of ever owning a Rolls Royce was always beyond all contemplation for me. But one day I heard a saying from Anthony Robbins, the world number one motivation trainer, at a business seminar in London:

“You’ll get from life what you ask for! If you accept only the best, you will get only the best!” So I decided to ask life for a Rolls Royce!

The prizes won by the car in the U.S.	Dom-Alf-James: my son, me and the Royce in front of the castle St. Martin in Graz

In November 2004 life delivered - I purchased my first Rolls Royce. It was a price winning Silver Shadow, SRE 26461, built 1976 for the US – market. I found the car in the internet after a two years search. The car stood in the United States, in North Carolina. For me and maybe for many people a Silver Shadow is THE Rolls Royce. When people hear Rolls Royce most of them have a Silver Shadow in their mind.

The former owner, RROC – Official John Franklin, maintained the car so well, that SRE 26461 won several 1st places in many competitions in the United States.

I finally got the car on the 21st of March, 2005. It was a great moment, when the container opened in Vienna and I saw my Royce for the very first time. The car was even more beautiful than it was on the pictures I got before. You cannot imagine how I felt driving this outstanding car for the first time.

In front of the Opera in Graz	The Royce as the star at an exhibition

Fritz Hutterer, a friend of the RREC – Austria joined me with his Silver Shadow II for my first ride in a Rolls Royce and together we drove through Vienna. It was a perfect day: driving the best car in the world through one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Malcolm Bobbitt wrote in his book “Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Bentley T-Series”:

“The Silver Shadow may be good to look at but it isn’t until one is behind the wheel that the cars can be fully appreciated. The sumptuous interior with its top grade leather upholstery, deep pile carpeting and exquisite burr walnut veneer, is the height of good taste and complements the car’s sophisticated engineering. Once settled into the comfort of the seats – electrically adjustable, of course – which provide a commanding driving position, a feeling of relaxed well-being is inevitable.”

I use my Silver Shadow as a classic car to be driven on weekends and high days. I don’t use it as daily transport. That does not mean the car’s unsuitable for daily use, but I want it to be something special driving the Shadow. Driving the car on the highway with a speed of about 80 M.P.H. is the second most beautiful thing on earth. ;-)

Due to my profession – I am a magician – I know what magic is. And driving this car is a very special sort of magic.

Alfred Schablas

“Freddy Cool the Magician”

The Royce in the inner city of Graz	What a Beauty!!
John Prescot writes:- When I came to put the text into the web page, I queried as to whether the car was actually a Silver Shadow I or a II to which Alfred replied:- You are right if you just look at the bumpers. But this car is a 100% original Shadow I, built for the US -Market. This sort of bumpers was required by US regulations which came into force in September 1972. The bumpers had to withstand two tests. At the first test the car crashed into a solid wall with 5 mph. After impact the energy absorbing bumpers had to return slowly to their original position without any damage or deformation. The second test involved the bumper being hit at an angle at 3 mph by a weight equivalent to that of the car to which it was fitted. This ensured the bumper beam had adequate built-in strength to withstand minor impacts. Rolls Royce changed the bumpers for the US and Canada market in 1973. This safety regulation was also resposible for a new-look facia. Hope this information will help you and others. Regards Alfred