Whenever I visit Florida, I’m reminded that it should come as little surprise that there will always be a luxury / sports / classic car for sale as a result of an elderly owner passing away. Retirees in certain parts drive nice vehicles, typically late model and usually worth a few bucks. That’s why I’m not surprised to see this 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur parked in what looks like an undergrond garage somewhere in Miami. Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $13,500.
The ad is strange, as it doesn’t seem to jive with the photos. In the top photo, you can clearly see the front passenger tire is low on air, and the rear suspension has flattened out – likely due to a hydraulic suspension failure in the rear end. The description of the listing makes it sound as if this Rolls has undergone significant mechanical refurbishment, but with such obvious issues not addressed, it’s a bit concerning. The interior is in great shape, however, with wood veneers still looking fresh.
The backseat is quite welcoming as well, with unmarked door panels, tight leather and the all-important fully functioning picnic tables. The seller says, “…Substantial additional work to improve the car has been done at a certified mechanic.” No elaboration offered as to what that work included, which is important information to have when dealing with a car as finicky as a Rolls-Royce from the 1980s. While I loathe tinted windows, they’ve clearly played a role in keeping this interior so well preserved.
The body appears quite sound and chrome still shines up nicely. I have no doubt this Rolls has been garage parked since new, as the cosmetic condition proves it out. But on a car like this where the maintenance and upkeep has rendered many of them unreasonable investments, buying the best one you can get it essential. These aren’t terribly expensive to buy, but it would behoove the next potential owner to get a detailed break-down of the seller’s improvements.
Jeff, just in case you’re thinking of grabbing your checkbook and trotting down to Miami: if the Spur uses the same hydraulic suspension bits as the earlier Shadow (made by Citroen), the cure for the “collapsed” rear suspension may be no farther away than starting the engine. A Cit sinks as the pressure in the system goes away; get the pump running and it perks right up!
Personal opinion: Royces are nice, nice cars and, like Jaguars, are generally more reliable than their reputation suggests. Not cheap, but like any piece of precision machinery, they respond well to careful maintenance.
Hey Ray – thanks for providing some positive thinking alongside my “doomsday” scenario! Must be all those Mercedes I’ve looked at over the years sitting on their bellies…
If this one is as good as the seller seems to indicate, I’ll eat my hat – but more details are needed.
Some Mercs – estates, certainly – have hydropneumatic suspension on the rear. My pal has a Citroen-based garage and has a couple of Merc customers that come to him for that.
I have a gentleman that lives next to me and he has a 1986 . This car has 66000 miles on it and it leaks oil from every fitting in the transmission and suspension had to put a new electrical parts and it sounds like an old Pinto. No one wants to buy it at any price!
Step 1) Hire drug-finding dog. Step 2) Turn him loose. Step 3) Tear car apart where indicated. Step 4) Invite friends to party.
If this car has been sitting that long underground in Miami, one wonders how old the pictures are, as the spot may have been flooded by various storms.
How can it be underground parking when you can see light coming thru the windows? 1st floor yeah but not underground. Id rather the car be stored in a different ramp and go up as high as you can without being on the roof. Way to much flooding in that area.
Seller’s only other sale was recent, for a 1/4 million mile Mercedes 560SEC, needing a new engine. Parking structure looks familiar……
I wonder if they found a tower condo populated by oldsters, and are thinking of helping with the liquidation of old rides contained therein?
My buddy’s Mercedes 550 squats down on the rear bump stops after being parked for a few days. Pumps back up when he starts the engine.
Tea trays, Sir, tea trays.
PAH don me! do you have any Grey Poupon?
I wonder what the 39 Autocheck records are about?
Remember the vw beetles with a RR front hood. Every time I see one of these real deal cars I humorously recall those ugly duckling faux wantabees. I lived in Miami for a few years, better make sure your horn works because as soon as the light changes 15 drivers are waiting to honk their horns. Irritated me to no end, always wished I had a round hay bale Speer on the back of my pickup, oops accidentally went into reverse, fix your own radiator. Heh, heh, heh.
The tag expires 12/16, which tells me either it was renewed in 2014 (Florida has 2 year tag renewals) or at the latest 2015. Seems like this once beauty has sat for a while. Thoughts?
strange listing===one ebay feedback–buyer beware…
the tags show that this car hasnt oved in over 2 years and that makes it a bad deal in every way
Agree wholeheartedly with the premise of high end cars , senior owned, with low milage coming to market. I would term them “garage finds” rather than barn finds.
I lived in an older tall building in dallas ten years ago and daily drove by a 49 Chevy, and a 69 Olds 442. Cream of the crop was a 70’s Ferrari that was serviced twice yearly by a visiting technician.
My most recent find was a newer vintage CLS 550, highly optioned, custom paint and upgraded interior, with AMG features. Sub 16,000 miles it was well bought at 25% of its $90,000 sticker. Miami car, is like new.
They are out there, just keep looking.
Just for the record, there is no underground anything in Miami. No basements, no garages, no tunnels, nothing. The city sits 6 feet above sea level so underground would be below the water table.
Apart from the golf cart garage at the Miami Beach golf course, which is half in ground and the rest under a mound…… LOL. Our tour guide made a big thing about the hump being the highest piece of land on the peninsula, but that was back in 1980…….
After looking at all the pictures, I’d venture to say the opening bid is about ten thousand over value…. I like the brand, and it’s a shame this automobile has come so close to death.
Great cars but the initial purchase is just the beginning. These cars are like a person, they need to be fed and watered, exercised, regular healthcare, etc. while not as expensive as a horse but more than a Corolla. I’ve got a couple of friends who play with these along with Bentleys, Jaguars, and Triumphs. Their shop is filled with stuff I get to admire but I don’t have to own it. Pretty good deal I think.
Price is ’bout twice what I’d pay for a good lookin’ and runnin’ one . . . but whutta I know . . . I’ve only had ’bout 240 Bentley & Rolls motorcars pass through my hands in the past 30+ years . . .
I was seriously looking at buying one at one stage and spoke to a guy who had the same model, man alive you need shares in the band of England to maintain one of these, he finished up replacing the whole brake system with a totally new system. They have a double braking system and can be troublesome.
Be VERY cautious when a Roller/Bentley comes on the private seller market. There’s a good reason they haven’t been traded in on a new RR. That reason is maintenance [or lack thereof]. As mentioned earlier, these cars respond well to proper maintenance. It’s sad to see such works of art relegated to the used car market. Those that can afford Rollers have no desire to own one of this age. Maybe in 15-20 years the market will improve for these luxury liners
Hopefully someone will rescue this one, so it will be around in 20 years.They are too nice to throw away.
What on earth is nice about these cars?? Bland anonymous styling, incredibly complex electrical systems (by Lucas no less), extremely expensive maintenance and horrendous gas mileage. I guess you can say “Nice leather and wood” but even that deteriorates if neglected . . .
In Florida you need tint on your windows or you will die! My mom moved down there and after about two weeks she went and got hers done, said it was unbarable without tint
You ask “what is nice about these cars..” They are simply elegant. They’re designed for their target .. the wealthy with huge bankrolls. These cars are SOLID, ride smooth, & quiet as a church mouse. No one will dispute that they become troublesome, and maintenance can be a costly affair; even more so if they weren’t properly kept after. The market for 80s Rollers/Bentleys is EXTREMELY thin. This one will likely change ownership several more times as repair bills come due before it reaches ‘collectible’ status. Hopefully she finds a good retirement home and doesn’t end up on Copart
This is a risky proposition. The indifferent photos, vague write up, and low-feedback seller are red flags. But risk can bring rewards, as the car does look really nice and if other bidders are scared off it might turn out to be a bit of a bargain.
If this car was local to me, I might actually go check it out and consider bidding assuming it’s as described. I’ve had both good and bad luck with sketchy auctions like this, though, so in this case I’ll pass.