In the gallery of chassisnumbers:   Main menu of the chassisnumbers The meaning of chassisnumbers up to 1980 The meaning of chassisnumbers from 1981 The chassisnumbers of the modelchanges The chassisnumbers of the technical changes Lists of Silver Shadows and T's

The chassisnumbers of the technical changes

What was the first chassisnumber of the Rolls-Royce that was standard fitted with a 6750 cc V8 engine? You can find it on this page. But also all other technical modifications and there chassisnumbers. Chronological. Chassis-nr Year Technical modification 1467 1965 The provision of a lighter brake pedal movement 3000 1967 A Saginaw power steering pump replaced the Hobourn Eaton type 3034 1967 The "ankle freezer" (small openingbesides the radiator grille below the head lamps) on the passengers side was closed, on the drivers side that was established in 1969 (8532) 3552 1967 The opening quarter light fitted to the front doors was replaced by a fixed type; A new type of boot lid seal was fitted 4469 1968 A revised handbrake was fitted 4483 1968 All cars, left- and right-hand drive, were fitted with General Motors GM400 gearbox (this gearbox was up to then only fitted on LHD cars). This modifications was already valid for the coachbuilt cars from number 3974. 4528 1968 Changes to the suspension, which include a strengthened front anti-roll bar and the addition of an anti-roll device at the rear, only applied to British and European market models 6001 1968 The Federal Safety Standards (FSS) determined many important modifications. The dashboard got a lot of padding for safety of the passengers. On the utmost front and rear points of the car wings side-marker-lamps were fitted, in the beginning small, high copies. The changes were fitted on RHD cars from number 6792, on the RHD coachbuilt cars from number 6475. 6429 1968 A higher steering ratio applied 6646 1969 De first letter of the chassisnumbers of the convertibles was changed from C into D, so that the 2-door saloons and convertibles could be recognized by the chassisnumber 7404 1969 The front height control was deleted (Long wheelbase on number 7378) 7500 1969 Airconditioning was made standard on all cars as well as the alternators of the C.A.V.-type 7620 1969 Stainless steel exhausts were fitted 7650 1969 The handbrake callipers were strengthened 7699 1969 The generator became an alternator 7904 1969 The design of of the hazard warning switch was modified 8000 1969 The side-marker-lamps were replaced by flat ones with reflectors 8222 1969 The steering wheel with a section of 17 inch (432 mm) was replaced by a steering wheel with a section of 16 inch (410 mm) 8532 1969 The "ankle freezer" (small openingbesides the radiator grille below the head lamps) on the drivers side was closed, on the passengers side that was already established in 1967 (on number 3034) 8742 1969 De 6750 cc engine was introduced for the model year 1970. On the American market the numbers continued on 9001; the new engine was mounted in coachbuilt cars from number 9040, in Long wheelbase cars from number 9067. 9380 1970 New break callipers were specified 9393 1970 A suspension height control sensitivity mechanism was adjusted 9630 1970 The front seat mechanism was modified 9658 1970 Centralised door locking was fitted on all cars 9898 1970 A Trico windscreen wash system was specified 9900 1970 A redesigned camshaft was fitted to amend the valve timing 10322 1971 Introduction of the cruise control as an option; the cruise control became standard on all models in 1973 (17518) 10400 1971 Introduction of a wash-wipe system on the windscreen 10500 1971 Ventilated front wheel discs were fitted to improve overall braking performance and avoid fading 10686 1971 Mirrors became adjustable 11130 1971 The type of hydraulic fluid used was changed; all synthetic brake fluids were replaced by RR363 11155 1971 Cars destined for the USA and Canada were fitted with modified brakes which resulted in a slightly lighter pedal action 11501 1971 The steering ratio was altered to 17,5 : 1 11882 1971 Package deal: several changes in switches and their operation 11970 1971 Installation of a modified height control valve 12428 1971 Kangol seat belts were fitted as standard to all cars that were exported to the USA 12657 1971 A different type of piston ring was fitted to the enginge, and the windscreen wiper and facia panel light switches were modified 12734 1971 Compliant front suspension on the Corniche-models. In order to be able to accommodate compliant suspension and radial ply tyres of 205VR x 15 (in 1972), the length of the wheelbase was increased from 119,5 inch (3035,3 mm) to 120,06 inch (3049,6 mm) and the track from 57,5 inch (1460,5 mm) to 59,5 inch (1511,3 mm) at the front and 57,75 inch (1466,9 mm) at the rear. The Corniche got this modification from number (12734), the Long wheelbase from number 13084, the 4-door saloon from number 13485. 13051 1972 Modifications to the distributor advance were made 13178 1972 improvement of the sound system with Philips double-cone speakers 13485 1972 Compliant front suspension on all models 13754 1972 The reverse lights were moved from the boot lid to the rear light unit; tyres became radial tyres; the dashboard was redesigned (the separate gauges for oil pressure and water temperature were replaced by warning lamps and buzzers, the switch box was moved to the left-hand or right-hand side of the steering; in the centre of the facia appeared a cluster of warning lamps); a master switch was fitted to prevent children from playing with the window lifts at the rear 14954 1972 The first specially modified engines to comply with the American emission control requirements of the 1973 Detox regulations, only for the Amercan market. On other markets on number 17629, the Corniche already on 17515. 14980 1972 Modifications to the hydraulic fluid reservoir and fitting of larger 'brakes on' stop lights for the 1973 model year cars exported to the USA 15854 1973 An even lighter feel was given to the brake pedal 15855 1973 The Swedish market cars were fitted with a headlamp wash and wipe system 15950 1973 Introduction of a new type of disc brake pad, referred to as type M170 15960 1973 Vented front discs, Long wheelbase from number 15815 16000 1973 Headrests fitting in seat back; the headrests are optional (standard on number 17518) 16214 1973 The ankle freezers disappeared; fog lights became standard (Long wheelbase on number 16736, Corniche on number 16578) 16240 1973 USA and Canada-destined cars were supplied with energy absorbing bumpers at the front and the rear; the bottom of the radiator shell was slightly restyled: it was shortened to accommodate the 2.5 inch fore and aft movement of the bumper insert; the rectangular air intakes were deleted; head rests were incorporated into the rear seats and an electric remote control device was fitted to enable the external mirrors to be adjusted from inside the car; september 1973: these specifications were already valid for the Corniche from chassisnumber 15936, for the Long wheelbase from number 16742 17518 1973 The cruise control became standard on all models; all cars got a tape unit in the centre console and head rests on the rear seats 18269 1974 The front track was widened to 60 inch (1524 mm) and the rear track to 59,6 inch (1513,8 mm) for the saloons; the wheelbase was lengthened with 6 mm to 3049,6 mm; these modifications were necessary for adoption of larger section radial ply tyres; for the same reason the wheelarches were flared to prevent fouling, so giving rise to the term 'eyebrows' (Bentley on number 18225, Corniche on 18563, Long wheelbase on 19577) 18340 1974 Sundym glass became standard on all models except those destined for the German, Australian and home market 18865 1974 Australian cars were fitted with speedometers calibrated in kilometres per hour instead of miles per hour (Long Wheelbases from number 19076, Corniche from 19289) 19741 1975 The first Camargue with a 4-vats Solex carburator 20755 1975 Centre manifold/catalyst on American cars only (Corniche already on number 20171, Long wheelbase on number 20628) 21104 1975 A change to halogen headlamps bulbs for all LHD cars with the exception of those specified for the USA and Sweden markets 22118 1975 Deletion of the Master Cylinder; introduction of a breakerless electronic ignition by Lucas, known as OPUS; rear fog lamps were fitted (the Camargue already on number 21409, the Long wheelbase on number 22073, the Corniche on number 22583) 22572 1976 A vacuum advance distributor was fitted to UK cars; the cars were modified with a lower compression rate of 8:1 instead of 9:1. This distributor was fitted to North American, Japanese and Australian cars on number 22600; these cars were modified with a lower compression rate of 7.3:1 instead of 8:1. 22583 1976 The Corniche convertible got a twin exhaust; the rear side windows were fixed; the airco was replaced by the automatic airco of the Camargue; the dashboard was renewed (the Corniche saloon on number 22648) 25565 1976 New rules for the American cars. The petrol tank was fitted behind the rear seats and the petrol door was moved to the left C-pillar (the Long wheelbase on number 25596) 30001 1977 The Silver Shadow II was announced to the public in March 1977. Some main technical modifications: plastic-faced bumpers with polyurethane sides (the American bumpers were energy absorbing, all other bumpers were solidly mounted; therefore the bumpers and the fairings above the bumpers were protruded 2 inches further out than normal to allow for retraction); beneath the bumper an air spoiler was fitted, except for the American market; the radiator shell became shorter and 15% deeper; the grilles beneath the headlamps were deleted, matching the American export cars; the cars were provided by a Series II badging, discreet fog lamps mounted beneath the front bumper, side repeater indicators at the rear of the car and redesigned door handles; the facia was redesigned; a wholly new split-level air-conditioning; the steering wheel was reduced in size from 16 inch to 15 inch (381 mm); an electronic speedometer replaced the cable-operated type; a new Burman rack and pinion steering was fitted; the front suspension was redesigned; the carburettors were replaced by two SU HIF7 carburettors; the cars got a twin exhaust system 30886 1977 The first Silver Wraith II with division 31577 1977 The side-marker lamps were deleted on cars for other than the American market; at the Bentley T2 on chassisnumber 31337, at the Long wheelbase on number 31142 31674 1977 Kienzle clock replaced by VDO clock 34573 1978 Headlamps wash and wipe system on all cars except for the American market (the Corniche on number 33029, the Long wheelbase on number 34601, the Bentley T on number 34775) 37443 1979 Stainless steel exhaust introduced 37987 1979 Because of the 75th birthday of Rolls-Royce an Anniversary edition was launched, a limited number of Silver Shadows II provided with red badges and on the American market with a special colourscheme. More details on the page dedicated to this Anniversary 38100 1979 New loudspeakers 38984 1979 Introduction of the L410B engine 39400 1980 Modification of the GM400 automatic gearbox; a sprag clutch is introduced 40194C 1980 Bosch fuel injection system mounted on the 1980-models, only for the Californian market; for that reason the chassisnumber got the extension C 50001 1979 On the Camargue and Corniche several modifications were introduced. The most important was the introduction of the mineral oil in the high pressure hydraulic system. Further on the (enlarged) petrol tank was moved to a place behind the rear seats and the filler to the left C-pillar. The exhausts were moved to the left and right side of the rear as a result of the modification of the rear suspension. The final drive and crossmember absorber were changed and were now mounted on the rear subframe. The switches for the fog lights moved to a spot between the front seats. (Camargue from 50001, Corniche from 50003). 50196 1979 Electric mirror standard on the Camargue 50234 1979 Introduction of leather on the steering wheel of the Corniche. On the Camargue on number 50245 05037 1982 Early Corniches with the 17-digit chassisnumbers had a "half-way house" underframe, on the Corniche indicated with SY and on the Silver Spirit with SZ. This frame was applied from the chassisnumbers 50000 (1979). When also the Corniches were applied in 1982 from chassisnumber 05037 with the CYZ underframe (on the Spirit indicated with "Rear Suspension Package") and therefore thoroughly became identical to the Spirit-specifications, the fourth character in the chassisnumber was changed into Z. 20240 1987 Introduction of the catalyst on cars for all markets. Catalysts were mandatory on all American cars from 1976 on, but for other markets the catalyst was not available. In 1987 on number 20240 it was, but a customer still could order his car as a non-catalyst car when he wanted to. 40029 1992 Because of the 25th existence of the convertible Silver Shadow an Anniversary edition was launched, a limited number of 25 Anniversary Corniches. All cars had the same special colourscheme and had special features. 40091 1992 On special order of the Sultan of Brunei 3 Turbo-versions of the Bentley Continental were produced. The Continental Turbo became only available in 1995 as a kind of Last-of-Line version.