∙The last Silver Spur manufactured with accompanying letter from Rolls Royce
∙Impressive bespoke specification
∙Just two owners from new

The Rolls Royce Silver Spirit and longer Silver Cloud had some big shoes to fill. They were to replace the Shadow of old, which had been a hugely popular car for Rolls. Happily, the new car did exactly that. The design by Fritz Feller managed to bring the Rolls Royce image forward without being so radical as to scare off time-served customers. A traditional three-box saloon design, the Spirit and Cloud were well received, and as such, enjoyed a long production run which featured a number of small visual and mechanical updates. 

The car we have here, a 1998 Silver Spur, is the last of its kind. Quite literally, as the VIN attached to this car is the last one ever offered on a Spur. The car boasts a turbocharged 6.75 litre V8, acres of leather and more high quality wood than a country manor. It is an exquisite, graceful machine loaded with options. One that would make any Rolls fan happy, most certainly.

Supplied by world famous London-based dealer, Jack Barclay Ltd, this 1998 model was ordered by famed millionaire, Cliff Stanford, who made his fortune by being the first to offer subscriber based internet in the UK, namely Demon Internet. Famously, he declared this Rolls Royce as ‘ his favourite present to himself’ after selling his company for £66 million. Though being a tech mogul and a man who liked to stand out, this Rolls is anything but standard. 

He splashed some £150,000 on the car, and that’s after a £20,000 discount! The car was fitted with a wine cooler in the rear seats, the interior is black on black with black leather and black carpets, it features centenary specification door panels, electronically adjustable lumbar support and even TVs in the headrests and onboard video - cutting edge for 1998. Everything is still in situ. 

Stanford owned the car until last year, when it was bought by the current owner - a private collector. The car has covered just 74,000 miles over the course of its life. It has largely lived inside, and has been maintained with little regard for cost. As such, it stands now in excellent condition throughout, and is arguably the most historically interesting vehicle of its kind.

The winning bidder will be in receipt of a very comprehensively stamped service book, V5, MOT certificate valid until September of this year and of course, the leather-bound owner’s manual. Looking through the service book, it is evident that this car has been looked after very well.

Other paperwork includes a build and test record from Rolls Royce which documents the early days of the car. Build schedule, assembly progress and so on. There is also a letter from Rolls Royce stating that this is indeed the final Spur-assigned VIN number. Confirmation of the very special nature of this vehicle.

Despite being such a large car, the cabin of this Silver Spur feels pleasantly intimate, thanks in no small part to the acres of black. The dash tops, the main bodies of the doors, the seats, the carpets and even the headlining are all finished in black. Sitting in it, you feel enveloped by the luxury that surrounds you. 

Of course, in reality, there is ample space. Rear seat passengers will be glad of their position, with foot rests, TV screens in the headrests and the obligatory fold out writing tables. Everything works as it should in the back, and everything seems to be in excellent condition with no wear or damage. 

Up front, the positive story of condition continues. The seats are barely broken in, the dash is bright and clear and all the instruments function and read as they should. The electronics all seem to work, and every button and its corresponding function seemed to work when tested. 

The door cards are all in good order, though there has been some bleaching and cracking of one of the wood cappings, more commensurate with age than abuse. The door shuts all look clean and solid, and the Rolls plaque is still affixed to the inner A pillar.

As the pictures ably demonstrate, this big old Roller presents exceptionally well. The chrome over the car is in good order. There is some very minor pitting on the handles and such, but this is to be expected given the car’s age. The grille and bumpers are all excellent though, as is Eleanor, who sits proudly atop the grille, though can be retracted for safety if needs be. 

All panel gaps are uniform and neat, and all the doors open and close with that reassuring Rolls Royce firmness. The glass is all good, though some of the rubbers have split over time, but not so badly as to cause issues. 

The hubcaps are all present and correct, and free from damage. Furthermore, all four tyres are in good condition with plenty of miles left on them. 

Black is an unforgiving colour, and as such, is always keen to show defects or damage. Happily, looking down the flanks of this magnificent car reveals nothing but arrow straight bodywork with not so much as a hint of a ripple or imperfection. It’s evident from even a quick glance that this car has been cared for considerably.

 

Open the massive forward-hinged bonnet and you’re greeted by the sight of an impeccably kept turbocharged V8. The engine, the surrounding components and all the ancillaries gleam and are held in place by bolts and fixings free of corrosion or imperfections. It might be covered up most of the time, but it’s clear someone has gone to great lengths to ensure the engine presents as well as the rest of the car. 

Fire the engine up and it seems as if nothing happens. It’s reassuringly quiet, even as you build up through the revs. There are no untoward noises, no bumps, rattle or squeaks. It just hums quietly until pressed into action. And when you do, it rewards you. The 6.75 engine is more than capable of shoving the big Roller along at an impressive pace. And in doing so, you notice, ironically, that the gear changes are almost unnoticeable. 

Having been serviced correctly and regularly, the brakes are in excellent order and bring the car to a stop without complaint. The suspension holds the body firm and offers impressively little roll, but also manages to suck up the imperfections of the road with aplomb. It truly is a joy to drive.

Famous previous owner, the last of its kind, impressive care and attention over the years and current day presentation that can still, twenty-three years on, turn heads. What’s not to like? This car, let us not forget, cost its original owner some £150,000. This is your opportunity to get it for a fraction of that. It is, make no mistake, one of the most luxurious cars you can buy. A classic shape, a globally recognised manufacturer and exclusive specification make this a Rolls Royce Silver Spur not to miss.

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