1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Saloon

Description

Rolls-Royce's replacement for the long-standing Silver Shadow series was finally unveiled in 1980 after a decade long development by Crewe. The first new model for the Eighties, the Silver Spirit used updated versions of the venerable V8 and GM automatic transmission - in the finest tradition power output was described as 'adequate' and the 6.75-litre motor certainly had more than enough to waft the Silver Spirit along at impressive speeds. The Silver Spirit boasted lower, wider bodywork with modern styling and a novel touch was the fully retractable Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, brought about by new safety legislation. The self-levelling rear suspension was revised to enhance an already superb ride (with gas-filled shock absorbers and Girling automatic ride control system) while the new interior featured digital displays for selected functions but retained the traditionally luxurious ambience with all the hides and wood capping one would expect in a Rolls-Royce. The Silver Spirit may have been relatively high-tech compared to the Silver Shadow but was still largely hand crafted and no more than 60 cars were completed each week for a total output of 8,126 (plus a further number of long wheelbase Silver Spur variants) of the original Spirit, retrospectively dubbed the Mark I, between 1980 and 1989. Representing excellent buying in today's marketplace, the Silver Spirit offers unparalleled luxury for minimal financial outlay.