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 Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022