Vehicle Description
1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit Saloon
The Silver Spirit was introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1980 as the
first of a new generation of company models. It formed the basis
for the Flying Spur, Silver Dawn, Touring Limousine, Park Ward, and
Bentley Mulsanne/Eight series. The Spirit/Spur carried over the
basic design of the Silver Shadow, its 6.75 L V8 engine and
GM-sourced TH400 3-speed automatic gearbox, and similarly styled
unitary bodywork manufactured at Pressed Steel. The Spur/Spirit
continued the Silver Shadow's emphasis on ride quality by utilizing
its hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, modified with Girling
Automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-charged
shock absorbers. Sealed beam headlamps were fitted in the United
States due to long standing regulations, while European laws
allowed for the fitment of more modern composite units.
This particular 1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit Saloon marks the
final year this model would be produced in its original design.
Finished in one of the most desired of color combinations featuring
a white exterior over tan hides with tan piping, anddeep fawn
Wilton carpeting! A remarkable example that shows just 51,954 miles
on the odometer today.
Exterior
Nicely preserved...a respray of white color shows a few chips,
areas of slight markings, cracking of the finish and solvent
popping, but overall it is well done. The chrome and badging look
clean and shiny and the beautiful Rolls Royce grille, in near
perfect condition, stands proudly with the flying lady atop all in
front the bonnet. European issue composite single headlights flank
the grille and are a departure from the long recognizable dual
square glass headlamps. Speaking of the hood, it's long and
luxurious as it makes its way back to the large greenhouse, which
is covered with a long and expansive white steel top. The large
boot deck with proper badging curves downward and frames the
oversized square/rectangular design wrap-around tail lights.
Pristine Rolls Royce logoed wheel covers have a white matching band
near the center, and wheels are wrapped with a mix of 3 wide and 1
thin whitewall radials. All in all, in cracking shape mate.
Interior
Comparable to a bank safe door, it swings effortlessly, but its
weight can be witnessed when doing so, but you can have the
Chauffeur open it for you. Tan hides, wood burl, and Wilton carpet
make up the panels of the doors which house shiny inserts for the
power windows, and door handle. Placing your bum firmly in the tan
hide covered buckets, which are showing with just the right amount
of age wear and wrinkling you'll get accustomed to plentiful
padding. Armrests over the center console, which houses every
control you could possibly need regarding the seats. These are
infinitely adjustable seating, you can program 4 memory positions
into each seat and we see the mirror toggles and an ashtray here as
well, all framed in actual wood burl. Moving to the rear bench
there will be plenty of room for the queen bee and her gentleman
caller. If the mood strikes you, pull down one of the folding
picnic tables, (in beautiful lacquered burl), and have a spot of
tea and some popovers prior to pulling up to the boardroom. The
dash is loaded with instrumentation, climate controls, burl, and
leather. It presents very clean as does the dark tan Wilton wool
carpeting ...blimey!
Drivetrain
A pop of the bonnet and we are greeted by a clean and spit shined
engine bay. Grabbing the center of attention, is the 6.75 liter V8
that is original to the car. It sports electronic fuel injection
and a 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission. All quite right! You're
bloody well right.
Undercarriage
The undercarriage is well preserved, coated in rustproofing and
black paint, nary a sign of any serious rust or structural
problems. Independent suspension, and 4-wheel power disc brakes,
dual exhaust, and we are all buttoned up. Bob's your uncle.
Drive-Ability
I had the pleasure to take this car out for a tool around
Morgantown, and it drove swimmingly. It rides like a dream, (or
like you are on a Silver Cloud...OH WAIT!). Noted is the brake
pedal is soft, the check mineral light is on as well as the brake
warning light being lit. I also noticed the passenger window rear
window inoperable from either of the controls and the passenger's
front window is slow, but does function. Also noted was a radio
that wouldn't belt out tunes and a driver's power seat that does
not move in any direction. Otherwise it was a smashing, (thankfully
the Brit version of this word!), car to drive, and during the short
jaunt, received several waves and whistles, but it could have been
the spirit of our car specialist Sir Lawrence, who was in the
passenger seat.
We have a really nice car here, in great low mileage condition, but
in need of a little TLC on the brake front for starters. Formerly
used for weddings and special events, this car is begging you to go
ahead and live it up! Chip chip cheerio and all that rot!
SCAZS02AXJCX23174
S-Europe
C-England
A-Rolls Royce
ZS-Silver Spirit Saloon
02-L410I Non Turbo, Efi, With Catalyst
A-Active Belts
X-Check Digit
J-1988
C-Crewe Assy Plant
X-LHD Export
23174-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
