Some cars proudly inform the world that their owners are a success and that they have the money to make that abundantly clear. Trends have come and gone in the prestige luxury car market, but one constant for decades has been Rolls-Royce. Its handbuilt models are rarely cheap, but the attention to detail is staggering. This 1988 Silver Spur is a stunning survivor with a known history. Its owner has not spared the cash, ensuring it has been maintained to the highest standard. All good things must end, and the Rolls is set to head to a new home. The indication is that it will cost the buyer a fraction of its original sticker price.
Rolls-Royce released the Silver Spur as its long-wheelbase version of the new Silver Spirit in 1980. It replaced the Silver Wraith II and remained available in Mark I form until 1988. The crew from Crewe assembled our feature car during the final production year, and its history once it left the showroom is fully documented. The two-tone paint combination of Pecan and Cotswold Beige exudes the class typically associated with these classics, and finding any faults is almost impossible. The paint retains the shine typical of the company’s “Piano Finish” process, and the panel gaps are as tight and consistent as you might expect from a vehicle of this caliber. There is no evidence of rust or neglect, and the glass is crystal clear. The trim, including the iconic grille and “Spirit of Ecstacy” mascot, appears perfect.
Carefully examining the interior and appreciating the process that goes into its creation helps explain why almost every Rolls-Royce model commands a premium price. The company sources its leather from areas nearly devoid of mosquitoes, so bite marks aren’t an issue. They also favor hides from bulls because these don’t feature the stretch marks that cows accumulate as they reproduce. Each leather trim piece is hand-assembled, with the stitching process taking over a week. It is a similar story with the dash because specialists utilize a process the company refers to as “Book Leaving” when selecting and applying the timber veneer. The worker commences the build from the dash center, using alternate veneers on either side as they work towards the outer edge. The result is an almost perfectly symmetrical finish, which is a significant achievement when dealing with a material as random as timber. This interior is spotless, with no evidence of wear or other issues. The carpet is immaculate, and the leather looks supple and inviting. The timber is in as-new condition, and wheel wear is minimal. The new owner will sink into an interior featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, a power trunk release, a premium AM/FM radio/CD player, and front and rear recesses housing Rolls-Royce glasses for drinks on the move.
Rolls-Royce began subtly reinventing itself during the late 1970s, and this Silver Spur’s engine bay reveals one of the changes. It houses a 6.75-liter V8 that sends its power to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission. Unsurprisingly, power assistance for the steering and brakes is standard fare. What Rolls changed was its approach to quoting vehicle specifications. There was a time when if anyone within the company was quizzed by outsiders about engine power, the stock answer was “Sufficient.” The fresh approach allowed it to confirm that this V8 provides 205hp and 398 ft/lbs of torque. That doesn’t promise neck-snapping performance. However, with its smooth delivery and the car’s mountain of sound-deadening material, few vehicles offer equally low interior noise levels when cruising on the open road at 70mph. The seller confirms that this Silver Spur has been meticulously maintained since new and has a genuine 93,150 miles on the clock. It recently received a factory-authorized service costing $6,700, making it a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Rolls-Royce classics don’t appeal to everyone, but that is true of almost every car we have seen at Barn Finds. However, this 1988 Silver Spur’s condition is hard to fault, explaining why it has attracted twenty-nine bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Bidding sits below the reserve at $6,155, and the indications are that the price will need to at least double before hitting that mark. If you prefer your classic motoring experience to include unsurpassed luxury, joining the bidding war could be the ideal way to transform your dream into reality.
If I ever wanted a Rolls (pre-owned, not used!). I would bid on this car. Not many people can tell the difference between years and model except for Rolls people. A Rolls is a Rolls! An uncle of mine in his mid life crisis bought one, got his Grey Poupon mustard for the glove compartment and enjoyed the car for a few years before selling it at a wash. He got what he paid for it. Afterwards, he let his ego guard down and said it was nice but he enjoyed driving his Chevy station wagon better!! To each his own!!
Superb automotive artwork!
these are awesome and wonderful cars when sorted. I had 3 of them over 20 years. Nothing like it driving and feeling wise. Great traveling cars as well. My mantra is: buy the best one for 60% of the money you can/want to spend, then you have 40% to get anything done that is needed and you have for 100% of your money a sorted car. Once these are sorted, they last a long time. Enjoy.
Not sure I have any idea of what you mean by “sorted” . Would please tell us ?
Sorted means fixed up, dialed, etc.
I bid double the amount shown above and it is still below the reserve price. Just wish I lived closer as shipping is a killer of cost.
WOW, what a spectacular automobile, I can’t imagine any car guy that wouldn’t want this car. Especially for a fraction of the original cost. I have ridden in RR on occasion and it can be a little intimidating. However I think this one would be worth it.
Own a RR and a Bentley 80s vintage the early cars are the best of the best wood leather stitching remarkable I had a new phantom and a 2018 Bentley fast but not the same this example would be a good buy for someone that wants to feel like a millionaire for between 10 and 15 thousand future repairs may be a little pricey but worth it read the description and learn the care that went into these cars if I didn’t have 2 already I would step up to this car Barry
I DID step up and bought this beautiful RR … Making arrangements to fly to Portland, Oregon ( and stay out of downtown for sure ) to pick it up and drive it back home. I now have the time and the where with all to keep it in perfect condition and perhaps drive it for another 20 years then see where it might end up. Thanks Barn Finds for finding this Gem of a car and posting it.
That’s awesome! Please keep us updated. I was tempted myself!
I sold this car to the family you purchased it from about 11 years ago after owning it for about 7 years or so (6 or 7) I can tell you, it was meticulously maintained by me and even more so by the gentleman I sold it to back then. The wheels you see came off of a Bentley and I had them chromed by a dealer in Los Angeles I met through the RR Owners Club (RROC) to put on my car, I also personally installed the Euro lights on the car and even wrote an article about it for the Rolls Royce Owners Club! You have a fantastic Rolls on your hands now, congratulations. I’m not a member of this site or I would post a picture of the car from my years with it that makes it clear this is the same car. Those wheels were not available for the 1988 models and the Euro headlights were also not available that year, they had to be installed later. I am sure I put at least 15k into the car improving it and maintaining it.
Possibly the best “old Rolls” I’ve seen on here. I hope the next owner has the wherewithal to keep it up.
This Rolls looks exceptional. But every time I think of buying a 36 year old one, I keep hearing the Teletubbies yelling runaway, runaway!
Rolls Royce is the ultimate automobile and deserves to be priced as such. No matter the year they are unmistakable at first glance. This one deserves to be put in a number one category along with what ever the bids go up to. One brand has always got to be placed as top billing no matter what product it is, and this is it. Congrats to the new owner and no matter what you paid is irrelevant, as the value is guaranteed to go up. This proudly separates the men from the boys.
Yes. I agree. Mercedes tried with their Maybach only to later morph it into their regular product line because no one can compete with Rolls. A marque of its own.
Any car enthusiast is use to seeing certain autos priced at astronomical levels, weather justified or not. For example the Shelby Cobra has sold exceeding the million dollar mark consistently for years. That should be the case with the Rolls, it is an irreplaceable icon of automotive history.
Still time to get it at up to $24,500 although a bit pricey showing 93,000 miles. These things do breakdown and are costly to repair. A water pump is easily over $1,000. The owner got his best use from it and realizes it’s now time to say good by. Had an attorney friend who had a high mileage 84 that saw predictable rides on a rollback as it would frequently quit on him. Yet he loved that car calling it his “baby.” A massive spread coming down the street, you knew when Tom was around. Everyone needs this bit of joy in their lives to up their game and be the best of the best.
He spent almost 8 grand for factory authorized service. No wonder second hand RR don’t bring big money. If you can afford the upkeep you can afford a new one.
God Bless America
I just yesterday watched a rerun of “Wheeler Dealers” on Motortrend channel, that showed a RR in England much the same color as this one after they got done with numerous repairs. That one was all brown, but faded and damaged above the beltline, so to save money they painted the top half with “rattle cans” in a similar gold color! Then it was “sold” back to the previous owner for a small profit. I don’t believe the premise of “sold” but the show was a good one. I think it was prearranged. The technology of even the hood ornament retraction is amazing and the engineering of the power steering was shown in the repairs, among others.
The tech of the hood ornament may be amazing, but I’m trying to think of 1 import in the ’70s or ’80s that came with hidden wipers – which would certainly improve/clean up the looks on this Rolls.
& i can’t believe those front door vent windows don’t open up – i think those phonies(as well as cheap tacky looking plastic triangular pieces at the front of doors on ’82 & up f bodies, ’79 & up mustangs, ’91 & up 3000GTs, ’08 & up challengers, etc. were put there as a lazy cheap unsightly way to route wiring or linkage to adjust the door mirror(s) from inside the car, tho the big 3(make that 4) knew how to eliminate vent windows AND still optionally route a thick cable to adjust the driver’s door mirror in the late ’60s & ’70s with F U L L door glass styling that Chevy even advertised(as well as hidden wipers) – in their ’68 caprice commercial made in San Fran.
I owned this very car (I can tell by the wheels that this is the one they originally came from a Bentley and I had them chromed by a dealer in LA) for about 6 years an sold to a wonderful man on the west coast about 11 years ago. The car was meticulously maintained by me (I easily put 15K into the car) and the new owner, who named it “Lady Margaret” did an even better job of maintaining it! He had all the wood refinished and repainted the boot area because it showed slight fading. Whoever ended up buying it from him or his estate scored a major deal on a magnificent car! Had I known it was back up for sale, I would have probably bid on it!
Hi Ken, You can read my comment below. Loved the car but there were just way to many things wrong with it and the cost to repair them more than I was willing to continue paying.l
Thomas, Sorry to hear about that. The man I sold the car to was a retired engineer who did all kinds of work on the car fixing the things I didn’t even know about. His name was Don Elliott in Gig Harbor, Washington. I wonder if he might have passed away and someone in his family took over the car or sold it to someone else. I was wrong on when I sold it to him, it was actually almost 16 years ago, time fly’s and when I started thinking about it again I realized I was way off when I first stated “about 10 years ago”. Mr. Elliott did a massive amount of work on smaller things, I had already done major work on such things as the brake system and my son and I replaced the two front struts, I even wrote an article for the RROC magazine about that job, just as I wrote one about changing out the quad lights for Euro lights. When I first got the car I replaced the small batteries in the mechanisms under the front seats that power their movements. I also repaired the passenger side window motor using a method outlined by a RR expert by the name of Richard Treachy.. I don’t even know if he is still around today but he was an expert on anything and everything that came out of Crewe. The 88 was my second Rolls, my first was a 75 Silver Shadow and that one almost broke me. I recall telling a friend about having to replace the (thankfully GM) transmission in the car and his reply said it all, he said to me, “Now you know why only rich people have them….” The Spur was mechanically sound when I had it and most of the work I did was cosmetic with some relatively minor things like the passenger window fix. My youngest son is a mechanical enginner and he fixed the auto leveling system for me when I had the car. My son and I also replaced the A/C compressor in the car. Here is a list of all the things I did for the car while it was in my hands, you can see it is quite extensive and like you, I spent a lot of money keeping it “just right”. My problem with these cars is I tend to be a perfectionist and every little thing drove me nuts! before I put the list here let me tell you I sold the car for 16K to Mr. Elliott and had purchased it years earlier for 20K. During my ownership I’m certain I put at least another 10-15K into it, maybe even more. I’m not rich, but at the time of my ownership I was still working as a broadcaster and had a very good salary. I sold the car shortly before deciding to take early retirement. Today I drive a 2017 Cadillac CT6 Platinum with only 29K miles that I must admit is the finest car I’ve ever owned! Here now the long list of things I did with the Rolls: Rolls Royce problems and fixes:
SCAZN02A6JCX24409
1988 Silver Spur
Identified problems:
Seat batteries need replacing (controls auto seats) replaced 11/24/06
Windows are very slow fixed 11/24/06
Oil needs changing done 11/22/06 and regularly since
Need to check cooling fluid changed 1/12/07 w/coolant pump
Replace thermostat done 12/06
Relays-replace and keep good ones as spares Done 11/25/06
fuel regulator/filter problem replaced both 1/12/07
Check plugs/replace if needed done 12/12/06
Replace plug wires done 12/17/06
Replace distributor cap and rotor done 11/25/06
Check/repair heater vents
High speed wiper fix (definite relay problem) FIXED! Cleaned/replaced relay
High speed fan fix (relay?) FIXED! Cleaned/replaced relay
Lubricate a/c vents w/silicone spray done 11/11
Check plug wires, replace if necessary replaced 12/17/06
Check all belts, replace if necessary replaced all 1/12/07
Installed aluminum RR door markers 11/24/06
Replaced air filter 11/25/06
Tighten Bolts trans and engine oil pan (in spring) done each year
Replace quad lights w/Euro lights done 12/27/06
Upgrade wheels to chrome alloys done 02/15/07
Treat all leather done 11/22/06 and each year
Obtain build sheets done 11/06
Obtain service manuals done 11/06
Correct rough shifting problem done 12/17/06
Replace all 4 tires done 12/28/06
Replace water pump done 1/12/07
Replace rear spheres done 1/12/07
Correct fuel line leak done 1/12/07
Replace Outside Temp gauge done 1/12/07
Replace picnic tables done 1/12/07
Replaced all dash/facia bulbs done 1/12/07
Cleaned engine and undercarriage done 1/12/07
Replaced radio w/stock original done 02/03/07
Added RR logo floor mats done 04/07
Added secondary window seals done 05/07
12/28/07 thorough check under car, one small leak found left rear HML line to shock.
no rust problems at all, lines appear good, fuel pump is new, vacuum regulator and transmission are new, rack looks good, all lines look excellent but dirty. (cleaned 1/12/07)
repaired LMH leak at left rear shock in late 2007 shortly after finding leak
rebuilt rear calipers in March of 2008
installed CD player in March of 2008
installed new steering rack April of 2008
rebuilt right rear caliper March 2009
installed new front shocks March 2009
installed new a/c compressor and drier May 2009
….I sold the car shortly after installing the compressor so that was 15 years ago. If you wish you can email me my address is ken-at-journalist-dot-com I can send you copies of the articles I wrote for RROC magazine if you would like to see them.
I bought this RR for $24,500. Biggest mistake I have ever made regarding vehicles. I put well over $ 9,000 into it and it still needs a drivers side rear window motor assembly, plus at least 10 more $800 to $950 repairs. Tried to sell it for over 15 months and only got one offer. I ended up selling it for $13,000 so I took at least a $25,000 loss on it. It did look absolutely beautiful in the photos but once you really got to looking at it there were many small damages to the exterior plus the fold down arm rests in the front seat were 100 % broken and very difficult to repair. Same for the back seat armrest. Once I arrived to Portland and could inspect it, even if I had to give up my $2,000 deposit I should have just walked away and bought a ticket on United and flew back home. I have bought 5 vehicles as shown on Barnfinds and I love the other 4 and drive them at least weekly. This RR has been the only real bust and I must blame only myself for paying that much or better yet just saying no. Boise, Idaho is my birth place and these guys and gals at Barnfinds do a great job of presenting their finds. Thanks Tom & Larisa