1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

In keeping with tradition of evolution rather than revolution, the Silver Spirit and its long-wheelbase Silver Spur sibling were based on the preceding Silver Shadow II and continued to wear a distinct family resemblance. Introduced in 1980 and not straying far from its heritage, these new cars styled by Austrian Fritz Feller were direct descendants of the Silver Shadow first offered in 1966. Hand-built by tradition, styling revisions included a lower waistline, a more-modern angular appearance, new rectangular, flush-mounted headlights similar to Pininfarina's Camargue coupe, a wider and squatter Parthenon-inspired radiator grille, and increased glass area. The Shadow's floor pan and unibody construction were retained, minor powertrain updates applied, and a heavily revised and improved type of rear suspension that had first appeared on the company's two-door models. By this point in history, regardless of the final destination, the engines used a Bosch fuel-injection system in three-way catalyzed 'California' specification capable of meeting all current emissions targets. The interiors were customarily elegant and well-appointed with burl walnut wood trim, Connolly leather hide interiors, and Wilton carpets. The most noticeable change being the adoption of separate rear seats and the reinstatement of folding picnic tables. Standard features included a power rack-and-pinion steering, hydraulic self-leveling suspension at the rear, power disc brakes all-around, and a three-speed automatic transmission. Nearly every modern convenience was standard, including air conditioning, power windows, seats, and door locks.

Adorned with the timeless Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, the base price for this model was approximately $119,000 in 1980.

Examples destined for the United States were outwardly indistinguishable from those sold elsewhere apart from slightly more prominent bumpers and a quartet of rectangular headlights. American models packed a 220 horsepower, 6.75-liter aluminum V-8's with Bosch fuel injection, compared to their carbureted European brethren.

An updated version of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur, known as the Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II, was introduced in 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Refinements focused on the rear suspension with a new 'Automatic Ride Control' system which automatically adjusted dampers at all four wheels in real-time. ABS was now standard and the fuel injection system was now a Bosch MK-Motronic unit paired with the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic GM400 transmission. A four-speed GM 4L80E was introduced near the close of 1981.

The Mark III arrived in 1993 and once again brought improvements to the suspension, this time with a semi-active suspension system. Horsepower increased thanks to a new design of the intake manifold and cylinder heads, dual airbags were standard, and the rear seats gained an independent adjustment system.

The final revision of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur was introduced near the end of 1995 as a 1996-year model. Since the number four is a homonym for death in some Far Eastern languages, this version was known as the New Silver Spirit and New Silver Spur. Updates included a Zytec engine management system replacing the previous Bosch setup, and the addition of a Garrett turbocharger on the 6.75-liter V8 engine.

Production of the Silver Spirit officially ended during the 1997 model year, but since there were parts and bodies remaining in stock, examples were still being built through 2000.

The 1997 Silver Spur rested on a 124.5-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 212.4 inches. The overhead-valve V8 engine displaced 412 cubic inches, had cast-aluminum block and heads, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, 8.0:1 compression, and developed approximately 320 horsepower at 4,2000 RPM. The transmission was a four-speed automatic and disc brakes were located at all four corners. The factory base price was in excess of $178,000 USD.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022