﹒5.4L BMW V12 Power Plant ﹒Superb Craftsmanship ﹒Low Mileage (48060) ﹒Completely Original
The Background
Development of the Silver Seraph began in the late 1980s, with design work commencing in October 1990. By April 1991, the conceptual design was frozen and approved by the management in June 1991.After several refinements were made, the definitive design was reached in 1994.
Aside from the radiator grille, badges and wheels, the Seraph was externally identical to the contemporary Bentley Arnage, sharing both its platform and body shell. It was powered by a BMW M73 5.4 L aluminum alloy V12 engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission, making it the first twelve-cylinder Rolls-Royce since the 1939 Phantom III. The car conforms to the Euro III emission standards.
The body was 65 percent stiffer than that of its predecessor. Standard electronics included digital engine management, adaptive ride control and anti-lock brakes. The exterior was available in one and two-tone finishes.
Inside, the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage were similar yet distinct. The Seraph's gear selector was column-mounted, and gauges followed a traditional Rolls-Royce layout. In both cars, the seats and dashboard were upholstered in Connolly Leather, with dashboard trim and folding picnic trays for rear passengers faced with glossy burl walnut veneer.
The Seraph was known for its relatively limited acceleration and comfortable handling, in comparison to the Arnage, which had a twin turbocharged V8 of its own design and firmer suspension. However, the Seraph still had a top speed of 225 km/h or 140 mph. All Seraphs were hand-built at the Rolls-Royce factory in Crewe, England. The car had a base price of £155,175 in the UK and $220,695 in the US. It was second in cost and exclusivity only to the Rolls-Royce Corniche, though it was the cheapest Rolls-Royce per se after the discontinuation of Silver Spur.
A total of 1,570 Silver Seraphs were produced before manufacture ceased in 2002.
Purchased in June 1998 from Murray Motor Company of Edinburgh, it has gone through several owners, some of which owned and cared for it for extensive amounts of time. Currently part of a collection, the current owner (although not the registered keeper) has lovingly cared for it, not covering many miles at all, being garaged and trickle charged at all times.
There is plenty of paperwork to go along with this Seraph giving evidence of a no-expense-spared history.
The V5 document is present showing 8 owners though the current owner informed us the car passed through previous owner's family members and some trade.
A letter from 2014 explains some of the car's history explaining one owner had it for ten years and was an avid Rolls-Royce enthusiast.
All the booklets are included, supplied in a luxury folder and are in great condition and the service booklet boasts 14 stamps.
Extensive receipts and MOT documents come with the Seraph. The servicing has primarily been carried out by prestigious garages including ‘Balmoral’ and Bently themselves. Some significant bills show this Seraph really has had all the love it needs.
First thing you notice as you open the quality feeling weighty doors is the mechanical accuracy of the door handle and catches. Opening the door wider, you are greeted with swathes of ‘French navy’ blue and Walnut wood polished and finished to the highest standard.
Accents of highly polished chrome or stainless-steel surround various internal switchgear and vents.
The lambswool rugs are in stunning condition, optioned in ‘Dark Blue’, they are thick, clean and piped around the edges in leather to match the seats and dashboard.
When you sit in the seats you immediately feel at home with the unrivalled comfort you would expect from Rolls-Royce with the advantage of heated front seats and electronic adjustment.
Under the central arm rest is the original phone the car came equipped with. Although this probably won’t be much use to the owner, it is nice to see it has been retained keeping the Seraph as it should be.
Hop in the back seats the first thing you notice is how unused they are! As with the front you are surrounded in quality and luxury. Again, polished Walnut wood is present and the lambswool rugs are plush. Small vanity mirrors are to the left and right of each back seat respectively along with a warm colored light to help you make any necessary ‘corrections.
Both the left and right most rear seats also come with a Walnut wood ‘Tray’ that extends from the back of the front seats with a pleasing mechanical and solid feel, giving you a small work space should it be required.
All the little cubby-holes and covers work well and have a fantastic feel to the operation and all the dials and gauges work and are clean and clear, overall, the entire interior has been beautifully kept and maintained.
Finished in ‘Silver Pearl’ the Seraph glistens in the sunshine. Highly polished door handles, window surrounds and front grille are in superb condition.
We did notice some corrosion build up on the lip of the rear arches but this had not extended to a point where it is visible without really looking for it and would likely be sorted without too much effort from a Body Shop.
The alloy wheels are near enough perfect, finished in a glossy silver and finished with a chrome center cap sporting the ‘RR’ emblem and shod in 4 matching Michelin tyres.
Fortunately, we had the opportunity to view the car underneath with the aid of a ramp and this gave good insight into the mechanical history. Overall, the Seraph is tidy underneath, the aluminum protective panels are in near perfect condition with no scrapes and dents that we could see.
The suspension and adaptive shock absorbers looked in nice order, with the usual surface corrosion you'd see on any used car but had evidently been protected at some point with a form or wax-oyl.
The exhaust appeared to be the original and in very good order, finished nicely at the rear with twin polished tailpipes.
Likewise, the underside of the engine and transmission were dry and clean, not showing any real evidence of leaks.
The Seraph wafted along nicely, running, idling and braking smoothly as you would expect, with a very solid feel and a quiet ride.
Luxury, power & comfort rarely come all in one package....But with this Rolls-Royce Seraph it does! British craftsmanship coupled with German engineering you can be rest-assured that you'll get to your destination without an aching back!
This example boasts significant service history from reputable garages giving you peace of mind in the miles to come.
Owners love their cars and even those with little interest will stand back and appreciate the work, love and cost to make such a wonderful piece of engineering!
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1998 Rolls-Royce Seraph
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