Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 110
1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Emperor State Limousine Coachwork by Hooper & Co. VIN. SCAZS02A8KCX25393
Sold for US$61,600 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 110
1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Emperor State Limousine
The Audrain Auction|3 October 2025, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1989 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Emperor State Limousine
Coachwork by Hooper & Co.
VIN. SCAZS02A8KCX25393
Coachwork by Hooper & Co.
VIN. SCAZS02A8KCX25393
6,750cc OHV V8 Engine
Electronic Fuel Injection
210bhp at 3,900rpm
3-Speed GM400 Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Hydro-Pneumatic Self Leveling Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*One of only 13 Emperor State Limousines built
*Delivered new to Los Angeles, California
*Originally cost $430,000
*Enjoy life ensconced in Royal Blue Velvet luxury
THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT
Evolution not revolution underpinned the Silver Shadow's metamorphosis to become the Silver Spirit. The basics remained the same with the monocoque bodyshell reworked with wider, lower and decidedly more aerodynamic styling.
The Silver Spirit was the first model in Rolls-Royce's SZ series and was produced at the Crewe factory from 1980 to 1989. Power came via the tried-and-trusted all-alloy V8, tweaked for more power and torque. In early carbureted form 198.5bhp and 340 lb-ft was enough to waft this 4,949lb (2,245kg) beast forward with consummate ease, while the hydro-pneumatic self-levelling suspension kept passengers cosseted from uneven road surfaces. Like all of its illustrious forbears it was engineered to the maximum and supplied with fittings and finishes that were second-to-none – Connolly leather, Wilton carpets, walnut veneers... etc.
As ever with Rolls-Royces of the era, the car could be ordered with practically limitless combinations of bespoke options. Whatever you ordered, you were assured the finest materials and the highest standards of craftsmanship.
THE CAR OFFERED
In 1989, the final year of production for the Silver Spirit, only 232 left-hand drive examples left Crewe. If the unbridled luxury of a factory-built Rolls was not sufficient for one's tastes, as had been true since the dawn of the company, owners could send their car to a coachbuilder for customization. One such coachbuilder, which had roots building bodies for Silver Ghosts, was Hooper & Co.
Established in 1805 and holding a royal warrant from 1830, Hooper supplied horse-drawn carriage to English royalty starting with King William IV. Hooper provided coachwork for the first royal automobile as well, a Daimler delivered in March of 1900. Continuing to provide coachwork on numerous machines—it most famously bodied numerous Rolls-Royces and Daimlers—including the Docker Daimlers—before ceasing coachbuilding production in 1959 and becoming a sales company—including becomes a Rolls-Royce distributor in 1970. Its coachbuilding operation was revived in 1981 when it was purchased by Colin Hyams. Returning to its original roots, it would become an authorized coachbuilder for Rolls-Royce and Bentley, operating out of its old shop at Clabon Works in London, until 1994—although the company is still active today in its own right.
Hooper would offer a selection of customization from Laundaulets to Coupes, as well as embellished sedans. But the most opulent and costly option was the Emperor State Limousine. Costing in excess of £200,000, only 13 Emperor Limousines would be completed, of which four were built in 1989.
This example was ordered new by Raffy Manoukian of Los Angeles, California in May of 1988. Finished in Royal Blue over Parchment Hides, the Rolls was shipped to Hooper in November of 1988. Later correspondence indicates the final price was £202,350 with a full six pages of options detailing all that went into the luxurious 40 inch stretched Rolls. Retaining its Royal Blue color, the driver remained in Parchment and Royal Blue leather pipe cabin while the four rear occupants were ensconced entirely in Royal Blue Velvet. Appropriate luxuries for the era included a color TV, cocktail cabinet, fridge, housing for drinks tumblers and champagne flutes, independent front and rear radios with cassette and CD, and of course a mobile phone. Photos of the build are on file. When finally completed in August of '89, the total amount in dollars—including the donor car, coachwork, import duties, and shipping charges, was $430,000.
It is unknown how long Mr. Manoukian retained his Emperor Limousine. Eventually the Rolls would make its way to Japan, where it no doubt stood out as one of the largest vehicles on the road there. Now showing 45,000 miles, a figure the Japanese logbook going back to the early 2010s corroborates, the seller reports that the car has been recently serviced and is primed to be wafted about in.
Additional information
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