LOT 518

1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Saloon Registration no. KYK 979X Chassis no. SCAZN0008BCH03348 Engine no. 03348

Sold for £4,830 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 518

1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Saloon

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|14 September 2024, 13:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Saloon
Registration no. KYK 979X
Chassis no. SCAZN0008BCH03348
Engine no. 03348

• Long-wheelbase flagship model
• One of the world's most expensive cars when launched
• Present ownership since 2012
• Requires recommissioning
• 21,723 miles recorded

Typically Rolls-Royce in so far as it represented evolution rather than revolution, the Silver Spirit and long-wheelbase Silver Spur were based on the preceding Silver Shadow II to which they bore a distinct family resemblance. The Shadow's floor pan was retained and power-train differences were minimal, the newcomers' chief advance over their immediate forebear being the heavily revised and improved type of rear suspension that had first appeared on the company's two-door models. The styling too came in for revision, with a lower waistline, increased glass area and a more-modern angular look; rectangular headlights graced the front of a Rolls-Royce for the first time, and the oft-changed radiator became wider and squatter. Inside, the Crewe firm's exemplary standards of equipment and finish were maintained, the most noticeable change being the adoption of separate rear seats and the reinstatement of folding picnic tables. By now all cars, regardless of final destination, came with a Bosch fuel-injected V8 engine in three-way catalysed 'California' specification capable of meeting all current emissions targets. Its wheelbase extended by 4" (10.12cm), the Silver Spur turned out to be a major success for Rolls-Royce and by 1985 accounted for almost the same number of sales as the shorter Silver Spirit despite being some 20% more expensive at around US$117,000.

Belonging to our vendor since 19th January 2012, this magnificent Silver Spur is presented in good general condition and should require recommissioning after a period of storage. The current odometer reading is 21,723 miles.

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