If life begins at 40, then the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit has now come of age. Launched at the end of 1980, the squared-off and angular Rolls was a car for a new decade, shunning the curvy traditionalism of the Silver Shadow for a brave new look.
It was a big hit, and saved Rolls-Royce from near bankruptcy at the time. Today, it’s a car that’s starting to gather a lot of classic interest, having sat for a while in the doldrums of inexpensive Rolls-Royce ownership where many were neglected. This one is not such a car – the last owner lavished huge amounts of expenditure on it, over £20,000-worth since 2017, and it has been loved and cherished. That’s evident from its condition…JbTNg0Z5Aa5yt9gr7nRfISfVFONLZKnvt3xwW8Za.jpeg2.34 MB
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
Original factory build records
Bill of sale
Stacks of invoices and receipts
UK V5
MOT July 22
If the condition doesn’t sell this car then the history will – it has reams and reams of papers with it from its conception as Rolls-Royce R6153 (its factory number) through to the present day. It was built in 1981 as an order from the PJ Evans dealership in Birmingham but then the order was cancelled after it was finished (in October 1981). It was sold in April 1982 via Jack Barclay of Mayfair, London, instead. The original owner paid £45,303 for it – an eye-watering £185,031 in today’s money. It was, then, a very expensive motor car.
Included with it are copies of the entire factory build records, logged part by part right through the final road test. The original bill of sale is there, too, along with a few amusing exchanges between the original titled owner and Rolls-Royce head office about a number of complaints about the car when new. 40 years on, we’re assuming they’re all sorted…
The current owner bought the car last year to run for his wedding car business, but has since replaced it with a Silver Shadow 1 so the Spirt is surplus to requirements. It has an MOT until July and a UK V5C. J3FYjViwpGgD0JK8eBjDDQVAVUdAHz9YOnVVlbjV.jpeg1.19 MB
THE INTERIOR
Sage Green leather
Updated with cupholders, modern stereo and USB input
Excellent condition
Original wool mats
Open the doors and you’re greeted by sumptuous green leather, which is all in fabulous order, as are the carpets, door cards and oatmeal headlining.
The veneers are all in good order and all of the electrics appear to work as they should. The in-car entertainment has been modernised with a Bluetooth head unit, auxiliary USB sockets have been fitted and some discreet cup holders installed, along with a Rolls-Royce branded umbrella in its own holder. BKi6oMS9SeqmLHqd9GLm744vaoBswaTmFgccIxI5.jpeg1.67 MB
THE EXTERIOR
No evident corrosion
Rare Ice Green
Good chrome and trim
Dark green Everflex roof
Finished in unusual Ice Green metallic, the Spirit is a great-looking car in great overall condition. The body has seen some paintwork repairs in the past, but it looks great today with no visible signs of corrosion.
The Ice Green body is complemented by a darker green ‘Everflex’ vinyl roof. All of the chrome trim is present and correct and is in good order, save for a small piece of stainless steel trim on one C-pillar that is slightly loose. tnMdc1LBvINCBpnyLGsEqWi3KA1QPJFhU4Dxij42.jpeg2.2 MB
THE MECHANICS
6.75cc V8
GM Hydramatic Transmission
Fluid-filled suspension
No-expense-spared maintenance
The previous owner of the Spirit spent a small fortune on repairs between 2014 and 2020 – over £20,000, in fact – with a well-known Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist in Sussex.
It’s no surprise, then, to find that mechanically it appears to be in A1 condition, with no known faults. The vendor reports that it drives absolutely beautifully.
SUMMARY
Early Spirits are rare things these days, and being from the first full year of production this one is especially appealing, not least because it’s in such good overall condition. Then there’s the story behind it, fully documented by reams and reams of paperwork. There won’t be another quite like it, we don’t think.
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