1983 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Lot details
Registration No: RYP911Y
Chassis No: SCAZS0001DCH07723
Mot Expiry: June 2011

Although the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (and its close relative the Bentley Mulsanne) were introduced in 1980, they were natural successors to the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow range which had first appeared in 1965, and shared the same basic platform, V8 engine and high-tech running gear of the earlier cars. The longer-wheelbase version was known as the Silver Spur, and throughout the life of the range there was also as two-door drop-head coupe version known as the Corniche. As a model family, the Silver Spirit would be produced for nearly twenty years, but the original types, like this car to be sold, were built throughout the 1980s. The well-proven specification included a 6.75-litre vee-8 engine (fuel injection was added from 1986), a GM400 three-speed automatic transmission, all-independent suspension with self-levelling control at the rear, and four-wheel disc brakes actuated by high-pressure hydraulic systems. Each car was individually crafted and completed, for Silver Spirit assembly never exceeded 1,000 cars every year, along with 500 Silver Spurs. During its long career, the style, the structure and the engineering of the Silver Spirit remained basically unchanged, but as the 1990s progressed many special editions - longer-wheelbase limousines and derivatives added to the complications. Before these cars were replaced by the new-generation Silver Seraph models of the late 1990s, the Silver Shadow/Silver Spirit range had become the best-selling Rolls-Royces of all time.

Originally supplied by Lex Mead of Weybridge to a London-based customer, this particular Cotswold Beige example dates from 1983 and thus employs an SU carburettor-fed V8 engine. Entering the current ownership some sixteen years ago via the Rolls-Royce main agent in Chester, the luxury saloon is stated to have covered approximately 91,300 miles from new. Reportedly used on several leisurely European continental tours by the seller, the Silver Spirit is said to retain "a service book, numerous old MOTs and lots of history". While, in recent years the car has apparently received attention to the bodywork and wheel-arches, along with extensive paintwork to the lower sections of the shell.

PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle had a speedometer change in May 1984, when the original reading was 1,642 miles. This figure should be added to the figure of 91,300 miles mentioned in the catalogue.