Description
Plethore Cars presents this 1989 Silver Spur 2!
an icon that had to reinvent itself
After fifteen years of sterling service, the Silver Shadow — the first Rolls-Royce designed to be driven by its owner rather than merely chauffeur-driven, and a true icon of the sixties — needed a worthy successor.
This came to pass in 1980 at the Paris Motor Show with the unveiling of the Silver Spirit (and its long-wheelbase variant, the Spur), internal designation "SZ".
Taut and rigorous lines, a complete departure from its predecessor's curves, the newcomer impressed above all through its considerable dimensions for the era. Its build quality — the omnipresent polished stainless steel, the flawless finish — conferred upon it a presence that no competitor could then claim, at a price approaching one million francs.
Technically, the evolution appeared modest compared to the Silver Shadow II — and for good reason: the latter had already served as a test bed for the innovations of the future Spirit.
Rack-and-pinion steering, more economical fuel delivery, and above all an entirely new hydraulic circuit with mineral fluid, less aggressive on components and enabling the arrival of a genuine hydropneumatic rear suspension. Result: a model that, from its launch, would suffer no teething troubles.
The bodywork, meanwhile, radically transformed the driving experience, with enlarged glazed areas and a noticeably wider cabin.
Lacking the resources to develop a replacement, Rolls-Royce kept the "SZ" alive for eighteen years, through four generations. In total, 9, 657 Silver Spirits and 9, 163 Silver Spurs were built.
This example
This is the final evolution of the first-generation Silver Spur, 1989 model year.
Although belonging to the initial generation, this version already benefits from major upgrades introduced in 1987: fuel injection (previously reserved, and unconvincingly, to the American market) and the fitment of ABS.
Displayed at the 1988 Paris Motor Show, the car presumably found its first owner there. Its subsequent history is well documented: it joined the collection of a Bordeaux notable in 1996, who preserved it for nearly fifteen years, stored safely in the basement of a property.
Six owners have succeeded one another to date, each taking great care of the vehicle.
General condition
Regularly maintained, this Silver Spur holds no nasty surprises. Significant remedial work has been carried out recently: steering rack overhaul, replacement of air-conditioning hoses and all four tyres, audio system upgrade with new speakers.
The electric windows, whose sluggishness is a known fault on this model, have been refurbished and now function perfectly. A remote central locking system has also been added. A full polish has likewise been performed, with restoration of the original trim strips in red.
Apart from minor marks on the bumpers and front spoiler, the exterior presentation is excellent. The Everflex roof is in perfect condition, as are all the stainless-steel fittings. The interior trim displays remarkable preservation: only slight superficial discolouration is visible on the driver's seat, with no other defects noted on the leather.
The original carpets are in very good condition and the woodwork is superb. On the road, this Silver Spur delivers the driving pleasure that only a regularly driven and carefully maintained example can still provide. The car comes with its tool kit, factory documentation and original handbooks.
Our verdict
The 1987-1989 generation seems to us to represent the best compromise in the entire "SZ" history: modern enough to incorporate fuel injection and ABS, yet simple enough to remain reasonably maintainable, before the arrival of more intrusive — and fragile — electronics on later generations.
Given its impeccably documented history and current condition, this Silver Spur represents an excellent opportunity for anyone wishing to make a purchase with complete peace of mind.
