For consignment, a 1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, a car 85 years in the making. Silver has been part of the Rolls-Royce line since its inception, beginning with the Silver Ghost of 1906, the Silver Wraith of 1946, the Silver Dawn of 1949, Silver Spur of 1980, Silver Seraph of 1998, and this, the Spirit which was produced with the Spur beginning in 1980.
Exterior
Green-Gray Metallic was skillfully applied to this Rolls, presented on a stunning and elegant profile that the best of the best is known for. We simply can't review the exterior without mentioning the legendary grille, emulated by many, respected by all, and flying the Spirit of Ecstasy on top. The high shouldered car is 207 inches long with a long wheelbase that accommodates four full sized doors. The chrome bumpers are mated with black rubber pads and then silver and black is repeated in the bezels of the U.S. spec headlights. The back is almost as regal as the front with wide and high taillights that fit the proportions of the car and a large flat trunk lid that flows from large wide C-pillars. It's stately and upright and the 15-inch wheels wear 70 series tires and original hubcaps with color keyed highlight rings and pinstriping. Imperfections are minor with a couple of scratches, a paint run, and some tiny bubbling in one area.
Interior
While the exterior is open to subjective opinion, the interior is objectively beautiful. The top dog uses the finest materials which starts on the door with soft cream leather and burlwood headers. Chrome backed controls are robust and refined and the rear doors include chrome plated ashtrays with personal lighters. Front bucket seats are thick and kingly and accented with gray piping and color matched shells, each with their own pivoting armrest on the center side. The rear seats are just as large, just as comfortable, and include a sizable headrest and decent legroom. A black plastic steering wheel is surprisingly simple while the dashboard is a collection of black faced gauges, an information panel with rows of idiot lights, vents, and switches, all backed by a shiny, burlwood panel which stretches across the expanse of the wide dashboard, allowing passengers to soak in the forest product on their side as well. A Sony AM/FM/CD has been added in the center stack and the console between the seats houses seat controls, memory buttons, and an ashtray. Thick pile tan carpet covers the floor, protected by color matched mats and the headliner is a mix of color and soft textures that further differentiates this car from normal mass produced passenger cars. The trunk does this too, as it's lined in thick carpeted panels.
Drivetrain
Open the hood by pulling from the cowl side, and a clean engine bay reveals the 6.75 liter V8 rated at 230 horsepower, fuel injected, and connected to a GM TH400 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels and 2.69 gears. Power disc brakes are front and rear.
Undercarriage
As the spare tire is in the trunk, the underside holder is empty. Beyond that, driver quality prevails with road dirt and oil present on a crossmember away from any lower sources. The dual exhaust meets at a single catalytic converter, split again then rejoin at a stock style muffler and exit via a single tailpipe and chrome tip. There's' some residual oil on the flywheel cover and some on the right power steering rack boot. Coil spring suspension is equipped in the front and back.
Drive-Ability
Absolutely no Grey Poupon jokes here! In fact, there are no drop down tables in the back seats. But from the driver's seat, a great view of that epic hood ornament and long hood, moving smoothly along our test loop and as per the brand, whisper quiet along the way. Decent power for such a big car and of course, the large windows afford great visibility. Things that don't work include the air conditioning, the left rear window, the self adjusting suspension, and the passenger's power seat.
Despite depreciation, Rolls-Royce are still the most respected luxury cars ever produced and have a presence that is unmatched. Regardless of what generation or who owns Rolls-Royce at any given time, there's still an attention to detail and materials that is hard to beat. Here's an opportunity to own and drive a genuine Rolls. Leave the mustard home, and head over to Classic Auto Mall.
SCAZS02A4KCX26881
S-Europe
C-England
A-Rolls Royce
ZS-Silver Spirit Saloon
02-L410I Non Turbo, Efi, With Catalyst
A-Active Belts
4-Check Digit
K-1989
C-Crewe Assy Plant
X-LHD Export
26881-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit or call us at 610-901-3804. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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