Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Motors
Parent company	Vickers plc
Also called	Silver Spur Flying Spur Silver Dawn
Production	1980–1998
Assembly	Crewe, England
Predecessor	Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
Successor	Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style(s)	2-door saloon 4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Bentley Eight Bentley Mulsanne
Designer	Fritz Feller

Mark I

Also called	Silver Spirit Silver Spur
Production	1980–1989

Mark III

Also called	Silver Spirit III Silver Spur III Flying Spur
Production	1993–1994
Engine(s)	6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	124.5 in (Silver/Flying Spur) 148.5 in (Silver Spur Touring Limousine)
Length	211.4 in (Flying Spur) 211.8 in (Silver Spur) 235.4 in (Silver Spur Touring Limousine)
Width	79.1 in (Silver Spur) 79.0 in (Flying Spur)
Height	58.5 in (Silver/Flying Spur) 60.4 in (Silver Spur Touring Limousine)

Mark IV

Also called	Silver Dawn Silver Spirit IV Silver Spur IV Park Ward
Production	1994–1998
Engine(s)	6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	124.5 in 148.5 in (Silver Spur Touring Limousine)
Length	212.4 in (Silver Spur) 211.4 in (Silver Dawn)
Width	83.1 in (Silver Spur) 79 in (Silver Dawn)
Height	58.5 in

The Silver Spirit, introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1980, was the first of a new generation of models for the company. It formed the basis for the Flying Spur, Silver Dawn, Touring Limousine, and Park Ward. The same chassis was also used by sister company, Bentley for their new Mulsanne/Eight series. The entire line was replaced with the BMW-powered Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage in 1998.

The new car was not entirely new — it shared the basic floor pan of the Silver Shadow as well as that car's 6.75 LV8 engine. The Spur continued with the high degree of ride quality and self-leveling suspension from the Shadow, this time using a Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-charged shock absorbers. (6750 cc/411 in³)

The Silver Spur was a long wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit, produced at the same time.

The Spirit was the first car to feature the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy. The spring loaded Mascot sank onto the radiator shell if dislodged from its position.

Mark II

The Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II were introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. Again, the suspension was the main innovation, with a fully automatic system adjusting dampers at all four wheels in real time. Other main innovations were the adoption of ABS and fuel injection as standard for all models, and two additional bull's eyes ventilation outlets on the dashboard.

Mark III

The Silver Spirit III and Silver Spur III, introduced in 1993, relied on improvements to the traditional V8 engine as their differentiator. A new intake manifold and cylinder heads upped power output, which was still stated simply as "adequate" in company literature. Dual airbags were another new feature, and the rear seats now adjusted independently.

Flying Spur

The 1994–1995 Flying Spur was a turbocharged version of the Silver Spur III.

Mark IV

The final revision of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur was introduced late in 1995, but a new Silver Dawn appeared a year earlier in the American market. Another new name was also added, the Park Ward limousine, just as the Silver Spirit name was abandoned. As of 1997, the long wheelbase was standard on all models, with the limousine models offering the extra-long only. Another major change that year was the introduction of a Garrett turbocharger on all models.

1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (North America)

1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (North America)

1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (Europe)

1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III Armoured Touring Limousine