Rolls-Royce V8 Coffee Table Sells at Auction
A custom coffee table built around a 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow V8 engine has been sold via a no-reserve auction.
A coffee table constructed from a 6.75-liter Rolls-Royce V8 engine has sold at auction. The unique piece, based on an engine from a 1974 to 1980 Silver Shadow, was listed with no reserve on the Bring a Trailer platform.
The table's centerpiece is the fully cleaned and powder-coated V8, finished in blue and silver. A custom aluminum cover with the Rolls-Royce emblem sits over the water pump. Polished carburetors protrude through precise cutouts in the 42-inch by 34-inch glass tabletop.
Blue LED lighting illuminates the engine from below and within the spark-plug openings. An illuminated "RR"emblem is fitted at the rear. The table stands 27 inches high on four adjustable posts, with rolling casters for easier movement."RR"-etched square glass decanter, four rocks glasses, and slate coasters in a fitted wooden box. Complimentary crating was provided from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky."To do a Rolls-Royce job one needs to be better than anyone else."The aluminum-alloy engine entered production in 1959."adequate," though external records suggested around 170 bhp for early models.
The 1970 enlargement to 6.75 liters helped counter power losses from new emissions equipment. European approval records later indicated about 187 bhp. The engine powered numerous models beyond the standard Shadow, including the Corniche, Camargue, and Phantom VI. Production of the Silver saloon ended in June 1980 after 30,057 units were built, making it the brand's best-selling model until the first-generation Ghost.
Specifications and Variants
The engine's specifications evolved across its long life. The table below shows key details mentioned in the source report.
| Model/Application | Year | Displacement | Notable Features/Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Cloud II / Bentley S2 | 1959 | 6.23 liters | Initial production version, ~170 bhp |
| Silver Shadow (post-1970) | 1970 onward | 6.75 liters | Longer stroke, ~187 bhp |
| Marine versions | Various | 6.75 liters | No emissions equipment, 220-240 bhp |
| Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition | 2020 | 6.75 liters | Final production version, 530 bhp, 811 lb ft torque |
The engine also saw use in luxury boats and even a Porsche 911-based hot rod. After the Shadow's end, it continued in the Silver Spirit generation and was turbocharged for the 1982 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo. It remained in Bentley production under Volkswagen ownership. The final 2020 edition of the engine produced 530 bhp and 811 lb ft of torque in a limited run of 30 cars.
