There has long been discussion about which company sets the standard in luxury car production. Some nominate Cadillac, while others prefer Lincoln. Bentley is a strong contender, but many believe Rolls-Royce deserves that crown. In a world of mass production, the company continues to produce hand-built models. Unlike many others, its “bespoke” program allows buyers to order genuinely unique cars. One of its 1980s flagships was the 1988 Silver Spur. This one is an incredible estate find, with its odometer reading of 25,000 miles fully documented. It is in excellent all-round health and would suit a buyer unwilling to compromise. The Rolls is listed here on Craigslist in Burlingame, California. It could be yours for $39,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this British beauty.
The Silver Spur joined the Roll-Royce range in 1980 as a larger version of the Silver Spirit. It enjoyed a 4″ longer wheelbase than its sibling, with the overall length increased by the same amount. The Series 1 version remained on sale until 1989, with our feature car rolling out of the factory in Crewe, Cheshire, England, in 1988. Rolls-Royce has a vast color palette that has grown annually, but its “bespoke” program allows a buyer to order a car to match almost any item. The flexibility of this arrangement is astounding, with the company admitting it has matched its paint to items like a favorite pair of shoes! This Silver Spur is a one-owner vehicle that recently emerged from an estate. The Silver paint shines beautifully, with no signs of significant issues or flaws. The overall presentation of this classic suggests it has been treated respectfully, and the dry-climate existence ensures it is rust-free. The panel gaps are as tight and consistent as buyers expect from a hand-built passenger car, while the trim and glass are spotless. One fascinating feature of the Silver Spur is the retractable “Spirit of Ecstasy” mascot on the grille. This iconic feature was fixed on previous models, but a need to comply with safety regulations forced a change. It remains part of the Rolls-Royce range to the present day.
It is no secret that Rolls-Royce was in financial difficulties during the 1980s and 1990s, and its development budget was limited. Much of it was consumed by engineering changes required to meet tighter safety and emission regulations, leaving little for other purposes. That is why the Silver Spur features an evolutionary version of the 6.75-liter L-Series V8 that first graced a Rolls engine bay in 1959. This automotive antique sends its power to the rear wheels via a three-speed THM400 automatic transmission. Power steering was a standard feature, as was the hydraulic self-leveling rear suspension. That engine may have been long in the tooth when this car rolled off the line, but its power and torque figures of 205hp and 398 ft/lbs were considered respectable. Most buyers were unconcerned about brutal acceleration, although many German buyers appreciated the top speed of 121mph when they pointed their classic at an autobahn. However, the engine’s greatest attribute is its incredible quietness. It is genuinely eerie, with the company saying its aim was that with the radio off, the noisiest thing inside the passenger compartment at 60mph should be the clock. This Silver Spur is an amazing survivor. The comprehensive service records confirm the odometer reading of 25,000 miles, with every Repair Order for this car included. It has always been maintained by a Rolls specialist, with the Silver Spur running and driving perfectly. It is a turnkey classic for potential buyers who wish to experience the best of British luxury.
The Rolls-Royce quest for perfection is perfectly reflected by its interior trim options. The leather used for the seats and other upholstered surfaces is sourced from regions with no mosquitoes or barbed wire fences. That sounds strange, but mosquito bites and barbed wire can leave scars and marks, which the company deems unacceptable. The timber veneer trim is another example of the eye for detail. The company employs specialists who utilize a technique called “book leafing” when creating the items. They commence the process from the dash center, working in either direction using alternative veneers from the same tree. By doing so, the finished product is almost perfectly symmetrical from the vehicle center. The original owner ordered the Silver Spur trimmed in Black leather with contrasting White piping. The interior condition is all you might expect, with the typical wrinkles that are an integral part of aging leather, but there is no wear or other issues. There are no aftermarket additions and no evidence of UV impact. The new owner receives air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, cruise control, a rear defroster, and a premium AM/FM radio/cassette player.
This 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur is a stunning classic, and it could be the best original and unrestored example in existence. The history and documentation suggest it is possible, but the harsh reality is that it needs to be to justify the asking price. It is well above the market average, but the price isn’t unprecedented. It has only been on the market a few days, and the price means the seller may need patience to achieve sales success. Do you think they will, or could compromising on the price be required for this classic to find a new home?
Looks like the car Eva and Zsa Zsa Gabor owned.
ZSA ZSA Slap the Cop car was recently advertised for sale by a dealer. Believe it was VOLO in Illinois.
I retired from Tom Ahl Dealerships, Lima,Ohio in 2021 after 38.5 years. Two years earlier, a gentleman from our town who’s father has a small collection of RR, traded in his deceased father’s 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph. The only defect was a hole in the glass headlight lens caused by a gun shot of some kind. Cost to replace the headlight assembly? $4,000. Ownership maintenance is not for the faint of heart. A gentleman of royalty from Spain bought it, flew in after we had his family coat of arms replicated and installed on the front doors. Apparently he owned land and an estate in Minnesota, drove it there and then had it shipped back to Spain.
When my late brother had his ROLLS-ROYCE automobiles, he dealt with ALBERS in Indianapolis. Wonder if that was same company?
No, I believe Albers is in Carmel or Zionsville, IN, not Lima, OH.
$4000 headlight, lol, maybe for a ’99 Silver Seraph. These headlights are available @ your local auto parts store. Motor on.
It required the whole assembly,
My father drove Packards, from the late 1920s to the late-mid-1950s — his last being a 1951 which he owned until 1958, and always regarded as a down-step from the classic “Ask The Man Who Owns One” Packards of his younger driving years (hint# he never owned a #120 or #110). But he always wanted a Rolls Royce; however, he never got quite that far, and he would not consider a used car. My living at a tiny fraction of the standard he had, I have never owned a NEW car! And my present one is a 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis with 363,000 miles. At least it’s comfortable and close to indestructibility.
ENJOY that Grand Marquis! I have also mainly had previously owned vehicles and have found my Grand Marquis and TOWN CARS to be among the best. I’ve heard that they can easily go well over 300,000 with proper maintenance. Some have been reported as going up to 500,000. They don’t make them like that anymore!
“That engine may have been long in the tooth when this car rolled off the line, but its power and torque figures of 205hp and 398 ft/lbs were considered respectable.”
Adequate. Should read, adequate.
I wonder how many “service records” would come with a car that has only 25,000 miles on it?
These are Very expensive to maintain….if you rely on the franchised Rolls-Royce dealership. I ran a Silver Spur for 6+ years, and it cost about the same as my Mercedes to maintain myself. While brand-new OE factory parts like headlights are very expensive, but there are several companies that specialize in used, and aftermarket Rolls/Bentley parts that make them affordable.
Spurs and Spirits have Bosch fuel injection, so most of those components are the same as on many other vehicles. Doing a little research to determine the Bosch part# for a RR part can save 60-75%. Who. cares what colour box the part came in? There is a strong following for these cars in clubs and forums, with ready answers to most questions. As usual, it is advisable to buy the best one you can afford. There are lots of rusty, neglected ones out there, and they are really only suitable for parts. I have seen many decent ones go for about $20K. I have also seen owners spend $20K+++ trying to improve a worn-out one.
My late brother had several ROLLS-ROYCE automobiles. A 62 Cloud, 68 Shadow, and 80s Corniche. Magnificent! Then(keeping the Cloud) he for some reason beyond my comprehension switched to Mercedes. Never quite able to purchase a ROLLS-ROYCE, I have had numerous upscale vehicles. I am now fortunate to be driving a last generation Town Car Signature Limited, which was recently referred to in an article as the American ROLLS-ROYCE.
To Big C: any car with 20,000 miles had BETTER have been serviced — at the very least, with oil-changes! And a 1988 would require other things as well, just from age (you would not want that 1988 transmission fluid still being run in 2023, for example). Some things decompose: try running with gasoline which has sat in the tank for 14 years.
To RICK W: Thank you for your comments about the “panther” cars — full-sized Lincolns and Mercurys. My concern of late, as mine approaches 370,000 miles, is, should I get the timing-chain replaced, just as “insurance” against disaster? I have read nightmare tales about snapped timing-chains in these cars, and have encountered more than one that had died from a broken timing chain. I’ve never had that experience in any of my cars, but have been told that it can do terminal damage to the engine when it happens on the highway. Do you know anything about this? Incidentally, when my father could not quite reach a Rolls Royce, he, too, went to Mercedes Benz. Beginning with my fondly-remembered 1946 Super DeLuxe, I always drove some sort of Ford, and they lasted for years and years. My parents had no respect for Fords, and they let me KNOW it. When I bought the ’46, my father said, “And what are you going to do with that pile of junk?” Three of his cars later, I was still driving it — and I promise you that it cost me less in repairs than any of his bought-new expensive models! I always loved the 1959 Ford Galaxie and the 1960 Edsel, but could not afford either when they were new. But by the time that they were showing-up as used cars, they did not seem to stick around for very long — and then really “cream-puff” examples began to sky-rocket in price just about when I could have considered one. I have no reference for how it held up mechanically, but the ’59 Galaxie was one beautiful-looking car! It seemed to me that the 1960, and even the 1957, Fords remained as regularly driven cars far longer, which makes me wonder if there were long-term reliability problems with the ’59. The ’60 Edsel was a thinly-disquised ’60 Galaxie anyway, so probably would last just as long. But rarity has taken that one out-of-reach now. Did anyone else notice how long the 1950-1952 dumpy-looking Mopars seemed to be all over the roads? The nicer ’53s and ’54s seemed to disappear sooner — particularly that pretty ’53 Chrysler. You saw ’54s and ’50s and ’51s — but not ’53s — I wonder why? And, when was the last time that you saw a nice 1953 Chrysler for sale, that was not an Imperial? Chrysler ruined it for ’54, through that new grille-face and just enough excess on trim details — even as Packard ruined their stunning 1955 in the ’56 slight face-lift. One man’s opinion. By the way, I recollect looking longingly at the 1955 Packard brochure, and I still remember the photographs of the test car with what looked like a bicycle wheel behind it, apparently following it. Does anyone know what that was for? I was too shy to ask the dealer.
Great minds seem to love the same Great cars. First, I have a long trusted repair shop. If you can find one with a good reputation for honesty, have it check entire car, with emphasis on specific concerns. A Ford or Lincoln dealer could be best but also more expensive than an independent. I previously had a belt break on a GRAND MARQUIS without much damage, but had to have it towed. Always believe prevention pays off. If your car is in overall good condition, it may be difficult to find another at a reasonable price! As to Chrysler Corp, I learned to drive on a55 Black DeSoto and have loved them until final 61s, but never managed to get one. In 54 🤔 Chrysler built (I believe) a one off called CORONATION for QUEEN ELIZABETH on her visit. It is a stunner in white over royal purple with many custom features. Probably is visible on net. There were ads featuring the car. Happy Holidays motoring in your Grand Marquis!
I was fresh out of high school when this thing was new back then I wanted one because to me it represented wealth but now after watching Hoovies garage on YouTube and how much money it cost just in parts because I can fix it myself I have zero interest in owning one. I would like to drive it just for experience but I don’t want to buy it.
To Troy: I hear THAT! A Rolls Royce is for the man who can afford to own the very finest, not for general driving. I am the sort who buys a car for transportation and comfort, not to show the next man what I can have that he can’t (which is a laugh in my case, because nearly all of you reading this can afford to purchase more than I can!). But Troy, I was getting beyond “middle age” when this car was new — I was “fresh out of high school” more than 30 years prior to when you were!
Quite or not, I bet it could use a TH700R. Funny to hear RR used obsolete GM tranny in 1988.
open ended ‘which’ Qs.
“…which company sets the standard in luxury …”
yes, here too it’s important to know the one constant answr to any automotive Q:
“What is the specific APPLICATION for this vehicle?” we could qualify with any number of additions like: for x year, at any price, etc. But I dont mean that. I fully mean ‘end use’/application. It goes along w/the ol “There’s a vehicle built for every a$$.”
BTW DD: they still use ‘the canned ham’ for PS pump. As the co Y & they reply:”Y attempt to improve the best?”
Here’s the thing I don’t get about Rolls Royces ….for the finest leather without mosquitos, barbed wire , spurs, or whip marks…they look like crap in color, texture, and overall condition after 15 years. Craftsmanship should last 2 generations at a minimum. Persnickety standards and unique mechanics does necessarily mean real quality.
To chrisful: please have mercy on us older readers with the many abbreviations and Capitol letters meaning words! I, for one, need it spelled-out in actual words I would speak — and your posts read like some sort of youthful jargon, to me. I realise that social websites are replete with every manner of verbal shorthand — but I do not understand any part of it (lol). To RICK W: I have a long trusted repair shop, myself. The mechanic is a young fellow, only 71, and his son works with him (they argue constantly!). And his mother, who recently turned 100, runs the office — and but NObody messes with HER! When SHE speaks, everybody listens. I used to do lawn and garden work for a man in that area, before my physicality forbade that sort of thing — and I drove past this place with all sorts of older cars. So I stopped in there and found they had been a registered vehicle repair shop since about 1963, and it takes nearly for ever to get an appointment there — so much business! And they work almost exclusively on cars more than 30 years old. I pull in, in my ’88 Grand Marquis, and I am greeted by a 1941 DeSoto (which looks for all the world like a dressed-up ’41 Plymouth). There is a 1952 Ford, a 1927 Franklin, a1938 Buick, a 1941 Chevrolet, a 1964 Pontiac, a 1960 Falcon, a 1961 Volkwagen, a 1954 Buick with 1971 inspection stickers on the windshield and tons of storage dust — my kind of place!
Sounds like my kind of shop! Mine is varied in vehicles, including a pristine 78 Lincoln Town Car, a ROLLS-ROYCE, but unfortunately no DeSotos. Have been with them for almost 40 years as they started in a gas station and have moved twice. As for mama, if you remember When E F Hutton Speaks, America Listens (investments), it was also said When (his wife, Post cereal heiress who built Mar a Lago) Marjorie Merriweather Post Speaks, E F Hutton Listens. 🎵 You be good 🎶to MAMA 🎵 and She’ll be goo🎶 to YOU 🎵
RICK W: I enjoyed your take on the shop. She and her son who owns and runs the place are blue-eyed Italians, and there is a certain cultural “attitude” which goes with that ethnicity, and can be quite entertaining to a customer (smile). Mama is really sweet and warm-hearted — but DON’T CROSS HER! I mentioned the bandleader, Ray Anthony, to her, and she remembers him very well. I told her that he is still WITH us. She said, “My HEAVENS! He was with Glenn Miller, I believe, before he had his own band in the late ’40s and the ’50s: how old IS he??” I told her that his real name is Raymond Antonini (so of course he’s Italian), and he will be 102 in January. “GOOD!”, she said; “then there’s hope for me YET!” Two years ago, she dropped to her kitchen floor, helpless, from a stroke, fully conscious but unable to move, and as she describes it, she thought to herself, ” What am I going to do NOW?” Happily for her, her grandson came into the house (which is right there by the shop) and called for an ambulance. She said of that, “The strangest thing happened, Harrison. They determined that I had a blood-clot, and they gave me a needle of something, and the clot cleared a bit later and I was FINE! It took a couple of days to recover my balance — but I bounced right BACK! (guess it wasn’t my time yet). But, do you know what they FOUND? I had atrial fibrillation and didn’t even KNOW it! So now I take medication for that… and, here I AM!”
I should explain that, every noon, she leaves the office to go to her kitchen and make lunch for everyone (even any customers who happen to be there at the time) — and when she did not return, her grandson went to check on her, and found her on the floor with her eyes open, still breathing. It was pretty scary for him! But she takes it as just one more “event” in a day — something “a bit interesting and different”. She still lives alone, and she says that so many family and friends look in on her, that she’s fine — doesn’t need anything in the world.
We should all be so fortunate. When the moon 🎵 hits your eye🎶like a big Pizza pie🎵 that’s Amore! Long may she RAVE!