Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
Overview
Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Motors
Also called	Silver Spur Flying Spur Silver Dawn
Production	1980–1999
Assembly	Crewe, Cheshire, England, UK
Designer	Fritz Feller (1974)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Related	Bentley Eight Bentley Mulsanne
Chronology
Predecessor	Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
Successor	Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph

The Silver Spirit is a British saloon motor car that was produced by Rolls-Royce Motors, in Crewe, England. It was launched in 1980 as the first model in the SZ series.

The Silver Spur is 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 into the radiator shell if dislodged from its position.

Mark I

Mark I
Overview
Also called	Silver Spirit Silver Spur
Production	1980–1989

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, Park Ward and apart from branding differences and a different radiator housing also Bentley for the Mulsanne/Eight series.

The Spirit/Spur was not entirely new – it continued to use the basic design of the Silver Shadow as well as that motor car's 6.75 L (6750 cc/411 in³) V8 engine and GM sourced THM 400 3-speed automatic transmission. The Spur / Spirit continued the emphasis toward a high degree of ride quality by utilising the self-leveling suspension from the previous model Silver Shadow, though in this application using a Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-charged shock absorbers.

1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (North America)  1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (Europe)  1985 Silver Spirit

Mark II

Mark II
Overview
Also called	Silver Spirit II Silver Spur II
Production	1989–1993
Powertrain
Engine	6.75 L L410 V8
Transmission	3/4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,061 mm (120.5 in) (Silver Spirit) 3,162 mm (124.5 in) (Silver Spur)
Length	5,278 mm (207.8 in) (Silver Spirit) 5,380 mm (211.8 in) (Silver Spur)
Width	1,887 mm (74.3 in)
Height	1,486 mm (58.5 in)

The Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II were introduced at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was in the area of the suspension that the main changes occurred, with "Automatic Ride Control" introduced; a fully automatic system that worked by adjusting the dampers at all four wheels in real time.^[2] The dashboard was also updated to modernize the interior, with two additional 'bull's eyes' ventilation outlets added to the fascia. Other updates included the adoption of ABS and fuel injection as standard for all models.

Originally retaining the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic GM400 transmission from earlier Spirits/Spurs,^[3] a four-speed unit (the GM 4L80E) was introduced in the winter of 1991.^[2]

Mark III

Mark III
Overview
Also called	Silver Spirit III Silver Spur III Flying Spur Silver Dawn
Production	1993–1996
Powertrain
Engine	6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission	4-speed GM 4L80E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,061 mm (120.5 in) (Spirit) 3,162 mm (124.5 in) (Spur) 3,772 mm (148.5 in) (Touring Limousine)
Length	5,268 mm (207.4 in) (Silver Spirit) 5,370 mm (211.4 in) (Flying Spur) 5,380 mm (211.8 in) (Silver Spur) 5,979 mm (235.4 in) (Touring Limousine)
Width	1,887 mm (74.3 in) (w/mirrors: 2,009 mm (79.1 in))
Height	1,486 mm (58.5 in) (Spirit/Spur/Dawn) 1,534 mm (60.4 in) (Touring Limousine)

The Silver Spirit III and Silver Spur III, introduced in 1993, introduced improvements to the engine and some cosmetic updates. A new design of intake manifold and cylinder heads increased the power output, although it was still stated simply as "adequate" in company literature . Dual airbags were introduced, and independent adjustment of the rear seats. The parameters of the active suspension system were also modified so that the shock absorbers would default into "soft" ride mode when they wore out (in the previous Mark II, the shock absorbers defaulted into "hard" ride mode when they wore out, noticeably impacting ride quality).

Flying Spur

The 1994–1995 Flying Spur is a turbocharged, higher performance version of the Silver Spur III. 134 cars were produced.

Silver Dawn

The Silver Dawn is a special edition of the Silver Spur III with several additional options such as Electronic Traction Assistance System and rear seat heaters.

Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (US)

The radiator height is reduced by 51 mm (2 in) and the size of the Spirit of Ecstasy was reduced by 20 percent. The new front was later inherited by the Mark IV series.

Silver Dawn appeared one year earlier on the American market.^[4]

Mark IV

Mark IV
Overview
Also called	New Silver Spirit New Silver Spur Silver Spirit Silver Spur Silver Spirit IV Silver Spur IV Park Ward
Production	1995–1999
Powertrain
Engine	6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,162 mm (124.5 in) 3,772 mm (148.5 in) (Silver Spur Touring Limousine)
Length	5,395 mm (212.4 in) (Silver Spur) 5,370 mm (211.4 in) (Silver Spur) 1,887 mm (74.3 in) (w/mirrors: 2,007 mm (79.0 in))
Width	1,887 mm (74.3 in) (w/mirrors: 2,111 mm (83.1 in))
Height	1,486 mm (58.5 in)

Designed in the autumn of 1992, the final revision of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur was introduced late in 1995 as a 1996 year model. The last single car was of model year 2000.^[5]

The model was marketed as the New Silver Spirit/New Silver Spur but the sign at the trunk/luggage compartment lid was unchanged as Silver Spirit/Silver Spur as per previous versions. As well as being consistent with previous updates; additionally a marketing decision was taken that the cars should not get a "series IV" designation because the suffix "IV" was found to be inappropriate in some Far Eastern countries where it is a symbol of death.^[5] The majority of the production went to the United States, as intended, as the new Silver Seraph was meeting with some resistance from buyers there.

Rear view of a 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

Major changes included the introduction of a wooden column running down the center of the dashboard, the replacement of the previous Bosch engine management systems with a Zytec one, updated integrated front and rear bumpers, and the introduction of new sixteen-inch wheels. 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.

The Silver Spirit production closed with the model year 1997, although models continued to be produced through 1999 as Rolls-Royce wanted to use up the remaining Silver Spirit bodies and parts they still had in stock.

Park Ward Limousine

The Park Ward is a limited edition and extended wheelbase Silver Spur / Spirit mark IV. It has a 610-millimetre (24 in) extended wheelbase and a raised roof by 51 mm (2 in). The Park Ward replaced the Silver Spur / Spirit Touring Limousine.

The full title of this model was Rolls-Royce Park Ward Limousine. In the middle of model year 1998 the name changed to Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Park Ward. The model nomenclature on the badge on the trunk / luggage compartment lid says Park Ward.

Standard equipment on this model included a bar cabinet with crystal decanters and goblets, intercom, an electrically operated division and a backseat sunroof.

Rolls-Royce Park Ward Limousine should not be confused with succeeding stretched Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph Park Ward 2000-2002.

The Official Touring Limousines

Different touring limousine versions were built during production by Rolls-Royce, in cooperation with coach builder Mulliner Park Ward, London. Robert Jankel was responsible for the design.

The first Silver Spur Limousine was produced in 1982. 16 cars had the 910-millimetre (36 in) extended wheelbases, 84 cars with 1,100-millimetre (42 in) extended wheelbases were produced in 1984 and later. One car had 360-millimetre (14 in) wheelbase extension. These cars were extended at the B-pillar, between the front and rear doors.

From 1991 on, 99 units of the Touring Limousine with 610-millimetre (24 in) wheelbase extension were produced. The car was lengthened at the C-pillar with an opera window added, in a style reminiscent of Rolls-Royce's Phantom V and Phantom VI models. Like these earlier models, most of the cars had fold-down occasional seats in the rear passenger area.

The Park Ward Limousine was the last one to be officially extended (610 mm or 24 in, again at the C-pillar) with 70-unit production commencing in 1996 and concluding in 1999.

1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III Armoured Touring Limousine  1993 Silver Spur II Touring Limousine

Production

Years are the model years based on the VIN (not the years of manufacturing).^[6]

Mark I

• 1980-1989 Silver Spirit: 8126
• 1980-1989 Silver Spur: 6240
  • 1985 Silver Spur Centenary: 26
  • 1982-1985 Silver Spur Extended 910 mm (36 in): 16
  • 1984 Silver Spur Extended 360 mm (14 in): 1
  • 1984-1988 Silver Spur Extended 1,100 mm (42 in): 84

Mark II

• 1990-1993 Silver Spirit II: 1152
• 1990-1993 Silver Spur II: 1658
  • 1990-1991 Mulliner Spur: 71
  • 1992-1993 Silver Spur II Touring Limousine: 56

Mark III

• 1994-1995 Silver Spirit III: 234
• 1994-1995 Silver Spur III: 465
  • 1994-1995 Silver Spur III Touring Limousine: 36
  • 1995 Flying Spur: 134
  • 1995-1998 Silver Dawn: 237
  • 1996, 1998 Silver Spur Touring Limousine: 9

Mark IV

• 1996-1997 New Silver Spirit: 145
• 1996-2000 New Silver Spur: 802
  • 1996-1999 Park Ward Limousine: 49
  • 1997-1998 Touring Limousine Extended 1,200 mm (48 in): 3
  • 1997-1999 Silver Spur Division: 38
  • 1998 Silver Spur Non-Division: 20

References

1. R-R Silver Spirit 2nd Edition: Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit & Silvre Spur ... - Malcolm Bobbitt - Google Boeken. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
2. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (5 March 1992). Automobil Revue 1992 (in German and French) 87. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 501. ISBN 3-444-00539-3.
3. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (8 March 1990). Automobil Revue 1990 (in German and French) 85. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 539. ISBN 3-444-00495-8.
4. "Car Design Consultancy". SHADO. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2012-08-18.
5. Rijkers, Marinus. "Rolls-Royce Silver Spur 1996 - 2000". Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
6. Rijkers, Marinus. "The Silver Spirit models". Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit. Retrieved 27 May 2013.

External links

• Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Touring