1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and its longer-wheelbase sibling, the Silver Spur, debuted for 1980. The modern styling was overseen by Austrian stylist Fritz Feller who bestowed a more youthful appearance with a lower, more rounded, and less upright style but continue to offer the highest level of sophistication, exclusivity, and luxury. Visibility improved thanks to its significantly increased glass area, and the handling and ride benefited from a self-leveling suspension, using a hydraulic ride-height control system provided by Girling and gas-charged shock absorbers. The interior had leather seats, deep-pile carpets, and rich wooden veneers. The refined and potent 6.75-liter alloy V8 engine, dating to the fall of 1959, initially utilized dual SU carburetors, with Bosch fuel injection on those export cars bound for the United States and Japan. In 1986, fuel injection became standard for all Rolls-Royce markets.

The long-wheelbase Silver Spur was produced from 1980 to 2000 and was the first to feature a retractable Spirit of Ecstasy, a spring-loaded mascot that would sink into the radiator shell if dislodged from its position. The Silver Spirit had a 120.5-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 207.8-inches, while the Silver Spur measured 124.5 inches at its wheelbase and its length at 211.8 inches.

The 90-degree, overhead valve 'V8 engine had a cast aluminum block and heads, a 412 cubic-inch displacement, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and a compression ratio of 8.0:1. Its bore measured 4.10 inches and its stroke at 3.90 inches. The transmission was a GM-sourced THM400 three-speed automatic unit. Disc brakes provided the stopping power and the steering was by a rack-and-pinion unit. The front suspension had lower wishbones, coil springs, and anti-roll bars while the rear was independent with semi-trailing arms, coil springs, anti-roll bars, and automatic leveling. The unitary bodywork was manufactured at Pressed steel.

The Silver Spur models destined for the United States market had sealed beam headlamps in compliance with U.S. regulations. The examples that remained in Europe had more modern composite units.

Updated versions of the Silver Spirt and Silver Spur were introduced in 1989 at the Frankfurt Motor Show and came with ABS (anti-lock braking system), Bosch MK-Motronic fuel injection standard for all models and markets, and 'Automatic Ride Control,' a fully automatic system that adjusted dampers at all four wheels in real-time. The engine was initially paired with the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic GT400 transmission but was replaced in the winter of 1991 with a four-speed GM 4L80E unit. Styling changes were minimal, and among the few updates made to the interior was a smaller steering wheel and two additional ventilation outlets added to the fascia.

Additional engine modifications and styling improvements arrived in 1993 along with updates to the semi-active suspension system. Engine output increased due to the new design of the cylinder heads and intake manifold, although horsepower continued to be rated as 'adequate.' Safety improved thanks to the dual airbags.

The final revision of the Silver Spur and Silver Spirit arrived in the autumn of 1992 and were known as the New Silver Spur and New Silver Spirit respectfully. Previous updates had been known as the Mark I, Mark II, and Mark III, but due to the number four being a homonym for death in some Far Eastern languages, Rolls-Royce refrained from using this designation.

These final versions came equipped with a Garrett turbocharger, and a Zytec engine management system replacing the previous Bosch system. It rode on new sixteen-inch wheels and had integrated front and rear bumpers. The long-wheelbase became standard in 1997, with limousine body styles rested on an even longer (148.5-inch wheelbase) platform. Although production of the Silver Spirit ended during the 1997 model year, Silver Spirit bodies and parts remained in stock, so production continued through 2002.

A total of 8,126 examples of the Silver Spirit were built from 1980 to 1989 (Mark I) and 6,240 examples of the Silver Spur. Mark II production included 1,152 examples of the Silver Spirit and 1,658 of the Silver Spur. Mark III production, lasting from 1994 to 1995, included 234 examples of the Silver Spirit and 465 of the Silver Spur. The final (Mark IV) 'New' Silver Spirit, produced from 1996 to 1997 had 145 units built, along with 802 of the New Silver Spur, built from 1996 to 2000.

by Dan Vaughan

LWB Saloon
Chassis number: SCAZN02A0JCX22123

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spur was four inches longer than the Spirit. Along with a host of luxurious amenities, the Silver Spur was powered by a 412 CID engine offering 220 horsepower and mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission. This particular example has an Ivory exterior with a tan interior. It was sold new in Beverly Hills, California to Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry. It has burled walnut trim, Wilton wool carpets, Connolly leather interior, rack-and-pinion steering, and 4-wheel disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

LWB Saloon
Chassis number: SCAZN02A6JCX23051

This 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur sedan is powered by a 6.8-liter V8 engine mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. It is finished in Magnolia over Tan interior with Magnolia piping. Currently, there are 29,000 miles on the odometer.

by Dan Vaughan

In 1980 a new range was introduced: the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur. Externally these cars were entirely new but retained most of the chassis platform of the Silver Shadow. The major exception was the rear end, which was modified to accept the new rear suspension. This new system had been launched during 1979 on the Corniche and Camargue models.

Many of the changes behind the development of the new car were down to impending safety legislation. The Spirit of Ecstasy, for example, was no longer fixed to the grille but designed to retract into the radiator shell upon impact. Other improvements included better ride comfort and a new suspension system with automatic ride height control.

The long-wheelbase version was called the Silver Spur. Four inches longer than the Spirit, it is identifiable by its extended rear windows and ever-flex roof. A special run of 25 Silver Spur Centenary models was produced in 1985, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the motor car in Great Britain and the production of the 100,000th Rolls-Royce.

The Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II arrived in 1990. Outwardly similar to their predecessor, they were equipped with a revised facia, with a new leather-bound steering wheel, electronic gear selection display, and a sophisticated automatic ride controls system.

The Spirit III and Spur III were introduced in 1994, and again external changes were modest, although inside there was a redesigned instrument panel and new steering wheel, and engine refinements resulted in an increase in power.

by Rolls Royce Motor Cars Ltd.

by Rolls-Royce

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spur has been quoted as being 'a highly expensive, prestigious car with inordinate incidence of repair.'

Introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1980, the Silver Spirit was the beginning of a new generation of models for the company. The Silver Spur was produced at the same time and was a long-wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit. The Spirit formed the basis for the Flying Spur, Touring Limousine, Park Ward, and the Silver Dawn. The complete line was replaced in 1998 by the BMW-powered Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage.

The Silver Spirit shared the basic floor plan and the 6.8 L V8 engine of the Silver Shadow. The Silver Spur used a Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system along with gas-charged shock absorbers while keeping the high degree of ride quality and self-leveling suspension from the Silver Shadow. The first car to feature the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy, the Spirit featured the spring-loaded Mascot which sank onto the radiator shell if dislodged from its position. From 1980 through 1989 a total of 6,238 Silver Spur models were produced.

Debuting at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Silver Spur II and the Silver Spirit II featured innovative suspension with a fully automatic system adjusting dampers at all four wheels in real-time. Standard on all models was ABS and fuel injection.

Introduced in 1993, the third generation of both the Silver Spur and the Silver Spirit featured improvements on the traditional V8 engine. Power output was upped with the addition of a new intake manifold and cylinder heads. The rear seats now adjusted independently while dual airbags were added as a standard feature.

Introduced in 1994 for the '94 and '95 years, the Flying Spur was a turbocharged version of the Silver Spur III.

Introduced in the latter part of 1995, the final edition of the Silver Spur and Silver Spirit debuted. The Silver Spirit name was dropped in favor of a new Park Ward Limousine. The long-wheelbase became standard on all models in 1997 and the limousine models offered extra-long only. A Garrett turbocharger was added on all models for 1997.

by Jessican Donaldson