1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur

Description

In the late '80s, this 1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur was the ultimate in motoring luxury and excess. Bigger than just about anything else on the road, and powered by Rolls' superlative V8, it was the last of the hand-built icons that built the automotive industry in the early years.

The special long-wheelbase Silver Spur was the top-of-the-line for what is unquestionably the top-of-the-line automobile manufacturer. Stretching nearly 20 feet long, it's understated yet imposing. Fit and finish are, of course, exemplary despite it being 25 years old, and nothing in the automotive world feels like one of these big, heavily-insulated doors snapping closed. All automotive paint is shiny, but the deep hand-rubbed finish on this one is something else entirely, as if it was conjured out of thin air right onto the surface. Sure, it's got a few signs of age, but on a car that originally cost the equivalent of a quarter-million bucks, you definitely got your money's worth on the paint job. Then there's the chrome, which is so deep and rich that it almost feels cold to the touch, and nothing clears traffic like that big Rolls-Royce grille and Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. "Impressive" isn't an impressive enough word for what this car is.

You know where a lot of the money went when you climb inside. The seats feel like nothing you've ever experienced, at once soft and supportive and wrapped in fragrant leather hides that were bred for royalty. There's a bit of wear on the driver's seat, but the rest of the buttery-soft leather with contrasting blue piping is still fit for show. Dark Wilton Wool carpets are insanely plush and yes, that's real wood on the dash and door panels, hand-crafted by a guy who's been doing it his entire life. It received all the proper accoutrements for the late'80s, including A/C, power windows and locks, power seats, and fingertip-light power steering. The only possible letdown is the GM-sourced AM/FM/cassette stereo, but that's an easy fix today anyway. And as a long-wheelbase model, rear seat space rivals a New York City apartment, complete with foot rests and drop-down tray tables. Even the "boot" is beautifully outfitted in matching carpet with cream piping.

Rolls-Royce never gave horsepower figures on their engines, but the big 6.75-liter V8 pulls like a steam locomotive and delivers awesome smoothness. Bosch fuel injection makes it reliable, too, and while saving one without proper service can be expensive, keeping it in top shape is quite reasonable if you have a good tech by your side. Fuel economy stinks, but this is a Rolls-Royce and you don't care about such things anyway. GM supplied the TH400 3-speed automatic gearbox, and the full independent suspension rides like a hovercraft over broken pavement. Even the 4-wheel disc brakes are race-car sized and deliver impressive performance that's never abrupt. Recent Kumho whitewall radials on the original wheels maintain the subtle look.

For the price of a Honda Accord, you could be driving this incredible Rolls-Royce. Don't be afraid of the maintenance, and just imagine what the neighbors will think when they see you driving this to work every day. Call now!