Don't forget that R-R were bankrupt in 1971, rescued in part I think due to the interest in the ready-to-release Corniche. It seems to have lasting effect in constraining things like the follow-up of the Shadow. Note the Phantom limousine continued and was the basis for some traditional coachbuilt cars like this Frua one. The Shadow & Spirit were definitely less special, but to begin with at least I can see why they wanted to be 'modern'. The resurrected Phantom was a good change - since then the distinction between models is lost on the little attention I pay...