In response to claims they had lost touch with the modern world, Rolls-Royce released the Silver Shadow in 1965. The car was a great technological advance for Roll-Royce and was a complete break with tradition, with unitary construction and all-round independent suspension. Power came from the 6,750cc V8 engine which replaced the 6,230cc unit previously fitted to the Silver Cloud II. The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is perhaps the most grand and impressive of all Rolls-Royces in the last 25 years, with tremendous road presence and to date has the largest production volume of any Rolls-Royce. The featured a Citreon designed self-leveling hydraulic suspension system which was revolutionary at the time and gave the car uncompromised comfort. The car's modern design, along with exceptional ride earned the Silver Shadow rave reviews and helped boost sales of the vehicle.

After several major changes to the car it was renamed the Roll-Royce Silver Shadow II in 1977. The most notable of these changes being the addition of rack and pinion steering, a new front air-dam, new grill and split level air-conditioning. These changes ensured the car remained a great sales success, flying off of dealer's forecourts. It was at the time of the Silver Shadow II's release, Rolls-Royce also renamed their limousine variant from the Silver Shadow long wheel-base to simply Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II. In addition to the Silver Wraith there were other variants to the Silver Shadow, including the two-door fixed-head coupe (FHC) and convertibles named Corniche and the Pininfarina designed Camargue (which was the highest priced Rolls-Royce, more expensive than the Phantom VI limousine).

The Silver Shadow also shared its frame with the mechanically identical Bentley T series. The only difference between the Bentley T's and the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow's was the badging and the front grill. The long wheel base version of the Bentley didn't get it's own name as did the Roll-Royce, it was known simply as the T long wheelbase or T II long wheelbase. All other models were also available in both Bentley and Rolls-Royce form, although only one Bentley T Camargue was ever built.

Production of the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II ceased in 1980.