One of the saddest sites you’ll see is a 1980s or 90s-era Rolls-Royce or Bentley product that has fallen on hard times, which sadly, happens quite often. This particular era of Britain’s premier luxury sedans seems particularly exposed to the perils of low-budget buyers that come around to take ownership right about the time the maintenance bills spike, and this 1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur has clearly been on the short end of the proactive stick for some time. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace in Plant City, Florida with an asking price of $4,000.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Bruce M. for the find. Recently, I was in western Pennsylvania where I happened upon a miniature car museum, which was really just one man’s collection. The vehicles were pretty much bread-and-butter interpretations of 1980s wealth, with no fewer than four Rolls-Royce and Bentley products from the same era as this Silver Spur. I would wager more than any other brand, these cars were associated with having achieved some level of meaningful financial success. That’s why it’s even more stunning how steep the fall from grace has been. The seller’s car has seen better days for sure, but the paint isn’t bad for a car that has clearly been sitting.
This era of Silver Spur represented the first batch of SZ-series cars, and the name designation here signifies it as a long wheelbase models (Silver Spirit was the standard length car.) Like most products built in Crewe, the emphasis on ride quality and bank vault-like construction was of the utmost priority, and opulence came standard. The picnic tables remind you of who the first buyers of these cars likely were, while the ripped-up leather confirms what state the cars were in by the time the last owner signed their name on the title. The seller notes that there’s a leak in the roof which certainly hasn’t helped with interior preservation.
Under the hood is a massive 6.75 L V8 that supposedly runs fine, but as you can see by the shot of the car from the side, the mechanism that pumps up the hydropneumatic suspension is no longer functioning. The transmission is a familiar GM-sourced TMH400 3-speed unit, which is generally pretty reliable but also easily replaced if it’s junk. Overall, many of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley products from this era – outside of the desirable Turbo R flagship – end up as parts cars or are taken to the local pick-and-pull for retirement purposes. What do you think the future holds for this sad Silver Spur?
There is no more expensive car than a cheap Rolls Royce.
Aaaaaaaa Noooooo 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️.. unless you needs parts for the same Rolls. You can find a complete running in great shape for $10 – 12,000 with good mileage under 100,000. What a shane that this beautiful ride look like this. 🐻🇺🇸
Resto-mod time. What’s better than a souped up luxury gas burner. I remember seeing a older Rolls Royce with a big ol blower sticking up through the hood. Boy what a Whitehall tire burning monster cruising down the boulevard. Or better yet,put the body on a four wheel drive truck frame and run it through a mud bogg. Only in America.
Troy… not a bad idea didn’t think of it.😄 As the GM boys on Barn finds would say…. LS IT!!!! Since it already has the GM Turbo 400 in it. That would piss off some Britt’s . 🤣🤣
Uh….no.
I agree with Troy and Big Bear. The plight of big, expensive (when new) luxury vehicles in America is that they are bought by people where money really isn’t an issue. They are driven for a few years, then discarded to the second lot of owners who want one but could be in a position to no-longer afford to repair them. Big BMW’s, big Mercedes, RR’s, Lincolns. Etc… you get the picture. As they age, they become more of a an albatross than a useable vehicle ( there are exceptions of course) because no one wants them. Resto-mod is a good option. Drop in a full GM drivetrain, get rid of all the bells and whistles, fix the seat cheaply and don’t worry about RR originality! If driven around, 99% of people would not know ( or care) that it wasn’t and original RR! Many of these old RR’s are just like aging actresses who want to hold on to their youth and fame……’ It ain’t gonna happen!!’
I revived a long dormant ’84 Spur in the late 90s and kept it about 8 years. The car here is a parts car. Period.
Properly repairing any one of the following faults could cost more than the value of the car:
-The expensive “Everflex” vinyl roof covering is unique, and cannot be substituted with standard material due to the roof shape. The rust underneath is probably extensive.
– Replacing the leather , and interior re-trim. Owner says roof leaks, so expect mold & major issues.
– Rebuilding the hydraulics that control the brakes and suspension rebuild on these cars can run $5-$10K….. in parts alone.
– It would quickly eat another $5K-$10K+ in “usual” stuff like tires, battery, tune-up, radiator replacement, A/C and electrical.
BTW, the while transmissions in these cars have mostly GM TH400 internals, there are some major differences. The outer casing is completely unique, and will not bolt-up to anything GM. The RR version uses an electronic shifter mounted to the side of the casing, and internally, the pump is different.
RR made lots of these, and they can be found in relatively good “driver” condition, starting around $10K.
Prime example of my last comment!! Look at the BF auctions and you will find an 89 Lincoln Town Car for bid. It is up to a whopping $200!! It wasn’t a cheap car in its day!!
That being said, a Town Car (especially a non-air suspension one) is a lot easier and orders of magnitude cheaper to keep running than a Rolls.
I have to say, these are very sad cars. The comment about an aging actress are spot on.
I don’t know what it is about this era of RR that screams tacky rich when new, and poser/wannabe when tired and used…
BTW, if its in nice shape used, then I don’t see it as poser/wannabe, it becomes something far more interesting/entertaining, and no longer pathetic. Then it becomes like a formerly young and beautiful actress accepting and aging gracefully.
Sir Royce must be ROLLing over in his grave. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
A car supplier to Hollywood movie sets should pick it up for use as a stunt /background scene car??? It has seen better days!
I was a partner in a large Picture Car business for 20+ years. Buying random cars that don’t have regular demand is a money losing prospect. You also need (usually expensive) real estate to store them. The reality is that cheap, beater Rollers are not hard to find, if you know where to look. We never had clients ask for one, although decent ones were occasionally used. We owned a few decent ones, and knew dealers that would rent(or sell) us more.
It’s sad but not unique to Rolls Royce. It reminds me of when I lived in Michigan near Lake Eire. You’d see the same thing with scores of once proud Boats like Chris Craft Cruisers that were victims of “deferred maintenance” being sold cheap and just knew they would never be restored.
A truly sad state for this once proud Brit. From the garage of a mansion, to wasting away in Clem’s drive.
That’s very sad. But I agree that this will be a money pit. I wonder how many miles it has.
Terrible thing here!