Cars made and sold by Rolls-Royce and Bentley were often featured on TV shows like The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But seldom do you find one that’s 40 years old, in great shape, and having only 25,000 miles. Such is the case with the seller’s 1986 Silver Spirit, which looks to have been well-cared for over the past four decades. Located in Greer, South Carolina, this car may end up being owned by someone not rich or famous,s as the current bid with no reserve is $4,550 here on eBay.
The Silver Spirit was in production in England from 1980 to 1997. It was the shorter wheelbase version of the series, as the Silver Spur rode on a longer chassis (limo). These heavy cars (5,000+ lbs.) were powered by 6.75-liter V8 engines paired with GM’s TH-400 automatic transmissions. While the seller’s car looks flawless, it is not without an unfortunate story. It seems as though the alternator developed a short that led to a small fire that cooked part of the wiring harness. We’re told all that was sorted out and solved by “professionals,” but it resulted in a Georgia salvage title rather than a clean piece of paper.
This R-R sports a two-tone paint job (original) with a tan leather interior. It has, no doubt, stayed in a garage more often than not to have just 25k miles after 40 years. We’re told it’s a good running machine and is highway-ready with a new set of tires. This car has every imaginable creature comfort, including power everything and a self-leveling suspension for a better passenger ride.
If the alternator/wiring harness/salvage title thing is something you can get past, this could be a sweet set of wheels for no more money than, say, a Cadillac. But do you have enough extra coin to hire a driver to pilot you around on the weekends and to Cars & Coffee?
It’s amazing that Rolls were so expensive, but their used prices are down to the “unwashed class” levels. This looks to be a nice ride at a nicer price (for now), but I also understand these tend to be somewhat unreliable. It could be the reason for the steep decline in their value. Still, the next buyer won’t take a hit if the price remains reasonable and they don’t intend to daily-drive it.
Actually, they are extremely reliable, especially the SZ era cars. They make great daily drivers, too. Like any old car you just need to do your research and familiarize yourself with mechanical differences.
And while they may seem cheap after 20-40 years, they still generally command 7-10x the price of an equivalent American car in the same condition. Excusing exceptions of rarity, #1 condition, etc. of course.
I regret that I’ve never owned or driven one. I wouldn’t mind driving it around town if I knew someone who owned one.
Tom is right.I owned an ’84 for 8 years, and it never “failed to proceed”. The big V8 has the same, reliable Bosch fuel injection as dozens of European cars. I have the same fuel injection system on my 1980 Wraith II. The GM THM400 transmission easily handles the power & weight. While the hydraulic system on these cars is somewhat similar to the earlier SY (Shadow series), it uses mineral oil (LHM) instead of RR363 fluid and is easier to maintain and service. If you are capable of maintaining it yourself, the costs can be manageable. As always….. A pre-purchase inspection by a Qualified RR expert is the safest bet.
This car looks great, and if it were local, I would be interested.
@Tacoma Washington
I’ve driven these. The driving position is somewhat upright and more like in a modern pickup than say a cadillac. They are very smooth and quiet and refined but not wallowy like a Buick of this era. They are actually a very nice drive.
The place they fall down is the cost of repairs and maintenance, if you have it done in a shop. They are easy to work on, but the parts can be expensive.
I agree with Terry. An expensive nightmare to service. Just buy a Buick.
It doesn’t have to run, just park it in the driveway, and impress neighbors!
Lovely car. This has always been my favourite version of the Rolls-Royce. I can imagine rolling up to the car in a similar Bentley saying “Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?”, assuming the bloke in the Rolls-Royce is the friendly kind, he might respond “But of course!”, handing the mustard to the bloke in the Bentley.
Very pretty car with a expensive maintenance habit. I drove Bob Cashell’s (the late great Reno Mayor’s) twin turbo Bentley. A great driving car. But driving the car you know that it would be a “pain to maintain”. Besides the GM Hydromatic transmission. It also has the GM/Harrison A/C compressor. Yes, ZIPPO, maybe buy a, Buick, gussie up the seats and suspension and pretend that it’s a Roller.
Back around 75-80 years ago, a Rolls Royce was something very special and highly exclusive. But once they discarded that unique upright timeless styling and began to look like everything else (except for the grille), they lost the appeal which they alone had enjoyed. And the drastically high maintenance cost rules one out as a chance for an “everyman” to drive and ride in legendary comfort and luxury. Their high-end appeal has dried-up, and yet used examples can’t find a viable market. WAY different from the way in which we regarded them in the beginning of the 1950s!
Just like the Packard’s of the 20’s and 30’s, they were a beautiful automobile that only the “Wealthy” could have, but post war car’s got worse every year till they went under in the 50’s.
Rolls-Royce cars, new and used continue to have a strong following. Unlike Packard, RR sales have continued to be strong ,breaking sales records several times during the past decade.
The SZ series cars like the one shown here do sell regularly: $25-30K for a minty one, $15-20K for a really nice driver, and under $10K for a high-miler.
They were never intended to be for “everyman”, and are costly to maintain at a RR dealer. They actually can be maintained at manageable costs by capable owners. I bought my first one in 1983, and currently have 2 in my care. BTW, both were “barn finds”.
Has anybody found out why it has a salvage title and what may be wrong with the car?
Seller discloses there was a fire that damaged the alternator and engine harness, and claims both were properly replaced.
I neglected to notice the salvage title when I first read the ad. While it may be a truly decent example, the salvage title severely limits the value.
To most RR buyers/owners, a car’s history is as important as the car. I would pass…..
We have been an RR family since the early 1900’s. Father gets a new one every 3-4 years because the new ones are not very reliable after 3 yrs. Now ones like this are quite reliable, because it was the pre-BMW ownership. The funny thing is we still have my Paternal & Maternal Great Great Grandparents’ older Silver Cloud III’s One is a 1964 & the other is a 1965. Mechanically the most reliable of any yrs we’ve had. These 2 are still driven weekly for the mere joy of them!
I think that the Silver Cloud is the Rolls Royce I meant — the last one that LOOKED like a Rolls Royce, and not just another Mercedes-type sedan.
SOLD for $9,033.
40 bids.