1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

Description

It doesn't matter that this 1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur is almost 30 years old, it's still a heavy-hitter. Technology may have progressed, but the timeless elegance of a Rolls-Royce is one of the few constants in the automotive world. With hand-stitched leather, burled walnut trim, and effortless performance, there are some things that remain unique despite the passage of time.

There's no mistaking the big Silver Spur, which is positively massive. It's imposing and formal-looking, and the long-wheelbase model has the look of a mini-limousine and everyone who sees it will be craning their necks to see who is inside. The Cotswold Beige paint isn't flashy, but that's the Rolls-Royce way, elegance in motion without the need for flashy colors. Fit and finish are, of course, exemplary in every way, with hand-rubbed paint, panels that are tweaked by workers at the end of the assembly line to meet very strict tolerances, and some of the best chrome trim this side of Pebble Beach. Even after more than two-and-a-half decades, this one looks superb thanks to a quiet life and only 37,793 miles. It's not perfect, but with this quality, it remains tangible in every aspect of the car. A padded roof adds formality and the windows have been tinted to help privacy, which is surely a desirable property of any Rolls-Royce motorcar.

The interior is really why you buy a Rolls-Royce. Beautiful chocolate leather with beige piping is simply unlike anything else available from other manufacturers. The seats are sumptuous and deep, but still supportive enough for all-day comfort. Wilton wool carpets are plush enough to feel through the soles of your shoes, and I believe there's one guy in Crewe who was responsible for choosing all the burled walnut panels that make Rolls-Royce dashboards. The controls have a serious heft to them, and the heavy chrome switches and knobs should be a course of study for any automotive interior designer. A mini console has the controls for the power bucket seats and windows, with everything else neatly grouped in front of the driver. The only possible demerit is a plebian Delco AM/FM/cassette stereo that will look familiar to us Yanks, but it sounds pretty darned good in the eerie silence of the big Spur. Even the trunk is superbly upholstered with matching materials and has obviously been protected by a plastic mat for years.

Rolls-Royce used their own "six-and-three-quarter" litre V8 and gave it "adequate" horsepower to move the nearly three-ton Silver Spur. The result is almost electric-motor smoothness and performance that is, well, adequate. It whispers along at highway speeds and is happy to idle in traffic while occupants are blissfully unaware of the cacophony outside. Maintenance is critical on these cars, and this car has been properly serviced throughout its life and driven only 3000 miles in the past two years. The 4-speed automatic transmission is silky smooth and the all-independent suspension offers comfort and reasonable handling. Four-wheel disc brakes are commendably powerful for this behemoth, and it rides on 235/70/15 whitewall radials with distinctive Rolls-Royce hubcaps.

Prestige at an affordable price, this well-maintained Rolls-Royce is a very affordable of previously unobtainable luxury. If you want to feel like a million bucks on a budget, no other car can do it better. Call today!