| Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit | |
|---|---|
 Silver Spur | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Rolls-Royce Motors |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1980–1997 (Silver Spirit) 1980–2000 (Silver Spur)[1] |
| Assembly | United Kingdom:Crewe,England |
| Designer | Fritz Feller (1974)[2] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-sizeluxury car |
| Body style | 4-doorsaloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | |
| Successor | Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph (SWB) Rolls Royce Park Ward (LWB) |
TheRolls-Royce Silver Spirit is afull-sizeluxury car produced byRolls-Royce Motors, inCrewe, England, from 1980 to 1997. It was the first model in theSZ series. TheSilver Spur is a long-wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit, produced from 1980 to 2000.[1] It was the first car to feature a retractableSpirit of Ecstasy: the spring-loaded mascot sank into the radiator shell if dislodged from its position.
| Mark I | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1982 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (U.S.) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Silver Spirit Silver Spur |
| Production | 1980–1988 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Bentley Mulsanne Bentley Turbo R Bentley Mulsanne Turbo |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75 LRolls-Royce L410V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speedGM THM400 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.5 in (3,061 mm) (Silver Spirit) 124.5 in (3,162 mm) (Silver Spur) |
| Length | 207.8 in (5,278 mm) (Silver Spirit) 211.8 in (5,380 mm) (Silver Spur) |
| Width | 74.3 in (1,887 mm) |
| Height | 58.5 in (1,486 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,980 lb (2,259 kg) (Silver Spirit) 5,040 lb (2,286 kg) (Silver Spur) |
The Silver Spirit was introduced byRolls-Royce in 1980 as the first of a new generation of company models. It formed the basis for the Flying Spur, Silver Dawn, Touring Limousine, Park Ward, andBentleyMulsanne/Eight series. The Spirit/Spur carried over the basic design of theSilver Shadow,[citation needed] its 6.75 LL410V8 engine and GM-sourced THM400 3-speed automatic gearbox, and unitary bodywork manufactured at Pressed Steel, which followed the styling of the Pininfarina designed Camargue.
The Spur/Spirit continued the Silver Shadow's emphasis onride quality by utilising itshydropneumaticself-levelling suspension, modified withGirling automatic hydraulicride height control system and gas-chargedshock absorbers. Sealed beam headlamps were fitted in the United States due to longstanding regulations, while European laws allowed for the fitment of more modern composite units.
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| Mark II | |
|---|---|
%2c_Lime_Rock.jpg) 1990 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II (U.S.) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Silver Spirit II Silver Spur II |
| Production | 1988–1992 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75 LRolls-Royce L410IV8 |
| Transmission |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 120.5 in (3,061 mm) (Silver Spirit) 124.5 in (3,162 mm) (Silver Spur) |
| Length | 207.8 in (5,278 mm) (Silver Spirit) 211.8 in (5,380 mm) (Silver Spur) |
| Width | 74.3 in (1,887 mm) |
| Height | 58.5 in (1,486 mm) |
| Curb weight | 5,181 lb (2,350 kg) (Silver Spirit) 5,247 lb (2,380 kg) (Silver Spur) |
The Silver Spirit II and Silver Spur II were refinements of the original models, introduced at the1989 Frankfurt Motor Show. Suspension design saw the most change, with "Automatic Ride Control" introduced, a fully automatic system that adjusteddampers at all four wheels in real time.[3] Other updates included the adoption ofABS and fuel injection as standard for all models and markets. The last Mark I Silver Spirit/Spur was chassis no KCH27798, with Mark II cars starting with 29001. The fuel injection system was now Bosch'sMK-Motronic.
Originally retaining the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic GM400 transmission from earlier Spirits/Spurs,[4] a four-speed unit (the GM 4L80E) was introduced in the winter of 1991.[3] The size of the petrol tank was also increased, up to 107 L (23.5 imp gal), meaning that the car's range was now in excess of 310 miles (500 km).[5]
Exterior and interior changes were minimal, with a considerably smaller steering wheel and two additional ventilation outlets added to the fascia mildly modernising the look up front.
| Mark III | |
|---|---|
%2c_front_left_side.jpg) 1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III (U.S.) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Silver Spirit III Silver Spur III Flying Spur Silver Dawn |
| Production | 1992–1995 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Bentley Brooklands Bentley Turbo RT Bentley Turbo S |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75 LRolls-Royce L410V8 |
| Transmission | 4-speedGM 4L80E automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length |
|
| Width | 74.3 in (1,887 mm) |
| Height | 58.5 in (1,486 mm) (Spirit/Spur/Dawn) 60.4 in (1,534 mm) (Touring Limousine) |
The Silver Spirit III and Silver Spur III were introduced in 1993, featuring engine improvements and some cosmetic updates. A new design of intake manifold and cylinder heads increased power output. The parameters of the semi-active suspension system were modified so that shock absorbers would default into "soft" ride mode when they wore out (rather than "hard" in the previous Mark II, noticeably impacting ride quality). Dual airbags were introduced inside, along with independent adjustment of the rear seats.
The 1994–1995 Flying Spur was a turbocharged, higher performance version of the Silver Spur III. 134 cars were produced.
The Silver Dawn is a special edition of the Silver Spur III with several additional options, such asElectronic Traction Assistance System and rear seat heaters. The radiator height is reduced by 2 inches (51 mm) and the size of the Spirit of Ecstasy was reduced by 20 per cent. The new front was later inherited by the Mark IV series. This model appeared one year earlier on theAmerican market before becoming available to the rest of the world.[6]
| Mark IV | |
|---|---|
 1999 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (U.S.) | |
| Overview | |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1995–2000 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Related | Bentley Brooklands Bentley Turbo RT |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.75 LRolls-Royce L410turboV8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase |
|
| Length |
|
| Width | 1,887 mm (74.3 in) |
| Height | 1,486 mm (58.5 in) |
Designed beginning in the autumn of 1992, theNew Silver Spirit/New Silver Spur was the final revision of the Silver Spirit and Silver Spur, introduced late in 1995 as a 1996 model.
A marketing decision was made that the cars should not get an official "series IV" designation because the number four is a homonym for death in some Far Eastern languages.[1]
Major changes included the introduction of aGarrettturbocharger on all models and the replacement of the previous Bosch engine management systems with one by Zytec. Also new were updated integrated front and rear bumpers and sixteen-inch wheels. As of 1997, the long wheelbase became standard, with limousine models offered in extra-long only. Inside, a wooden column running down the centre of the dashboard was added.
Silver Spirit production ended during the 1997 model year, although occasional vehicles continued to be produced through the year 2000[1] to use up bodies and parts remaining in stock.
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The Rolls-Royce Park Ward Limousine is a limited edition Silver Spur/Spirit mark IV with a 24-inch (610 mm) extended wheelbase and a 2 in (51 mm) taller roof. The Park Ward replaced the Silver Spur/Spirit Touring Limousine. In the middle of the 1998 model year the name was changed toRolls-Royce Silver Spur Park Ward. The model nomenclature on the badge on the rear of the car saysPark Ward. Standard equipment on this model included a bar cabinet with crystal decanters and goblets, intercom, an electrically operated division and a backseat sunroof.
The Rolls-Royce Park Ward Limousine should not be confused with succeeding stretchedRolls-Royce Silver Seraph Park Ward, which was based on the car that replaced the Silver Spirit and was available from 2000–2002.
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Rolls-Royce Touring Limousines were built to aRobert Jankel design[7] in cooperation with coach builderMulliner Park Ward, London.
The first Silver Spur Limousine was produced in 1982. 16 cars had the 36-inch (914 mm) extended wheelbase, and 84 cars with 42-inch (1,067 mm) extended wheelbase were produced in 1984 and later. One car had a 14-inch (356 mm) 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 a 24-inch (610 mm) wheelbase extension were produced. The car was lengthened at the C-pillar with anopera window added. 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, by 24 inches (610 mm), again at the C-pillar, with 70 vehicles produced from 1996 to 1999.
Years are the model years based on theVIN (not the years of manufacturing).[8]
