1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Silver Spur was in production from 1980 until 1998. Styled in house, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive saloon range seating five adults.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit was developed as a replacement for the Silver Shadow, while the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur replaced the Shadow-based long wheel base Silver Wraith II. Fundamentally barring the difference in wheelbase, the two cars are similar. Both share the same floorpan, a development of that seen in their respective predecessors, and both share the same V8 engine. The range was subject to regular revisions – the Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II of 1989 featuring Active Ride Technology in addition to the EFi which they had gained two years earlier. Further revisions led to the Silver Spirit III of 1993, and to the “New Silver Spirit” of 1995. Each of these had a corresponding Silver Spur, but there was also a Silver Dawn for 1994. 1994 had also seen the limited run Flying Spur, which mated the Rolls-Royce Silver Spur to the engine from the Bentley Turbo R. 134 were built. For those who wanted something a little special, the Silver Spur Centenary Replica commemorated the 100000th Rolls-Royce, while 71 Silver Spur Mulliners were built in 1991 to showcase how Mulliner Park Ward could tailor the model to any requirements.

9657 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirits were produced, alongside 9607 Silver Spurs – almost a 50/50 split across the two models, not counting the 313 cars built with some degree of additional length added nor the Bentley equivalents. The Silver Spirit and Silver Spur were replaced by the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph in 1998.

Alternatives to the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Silver Spur then and now would include the Mercedes-Benz W126 S-class and various iterations of the Daimler Double Six. It’s also possible to consider contemporary Cadillacs and coachbuilt cars such as the Bristol Blenheim as rivals, given that the Rolls-Royce was typically bought by those seeking the best of the best. The similar Bentley Mulsanne and Brooklands models would also be ideal, if the Rolls-Royce brand isn’t important to you.