Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Infobox Automobile


name = Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
manufacturer = Rolls-Royce Motors
aka = Silver Spur
Flying Spur
Silver Dawn
parent_company = Vickers plc
production = 1980–1998
predecessor = Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II
successor = Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
related = Bentley Eight
Bentley Mulsanne
class = Full-size luxury car
body_style = 2-door saloon
4-door saloon
designer = Fritz Feller
assembly = Crewe, England
layout = FR layout Infobox Automobile generation
name = Mark I


aka = Silver Spirit
Silver Spur
production = 1980–1989Infobox Automobile generation
name = Mark II
aka = Silver Spirit II
Silver Spur II
production = 1989–1993
engine = 6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
wheelbase = 120.5 in (Silver Spirit)
124.5 in (Silver Spur)
length = 207.8 in (Silver Spirit)
211.8 in (Silver Spur)
width = 74.3 in
height = 58.5 in
transmission = 4-speed automatic Infobox Automobile generation
name = Mark III


aka = Silver Spirit III
Silver Spur III
Flying Spur
production = 1993–1994
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)
engine = 6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
transmission = 4-speed automaticInfobox Automobile generation
name = Mark IV
aka = Silver Dawn
Silver Spirit IV
Silver Spur IV
Park Ward
production = 1994–1998


engine = 6.75 L Rolls-Royce V8
transmission = 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 L (6750 cc/411 in³) V8 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.

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.

Production

* 1980-1989 Silver Spirit: 8129
* 1980-1989 Silver Spur: 6238
** 1985 Silver Spur Centenary: 26
* Silver Spur Limousines
** 1984 Extended 14 in (356 mm): 1
** 1982-1988 Extended 36 in (914 mm): 16
** 1984-1988 Extended 42 in (1067 mm): 84
* 1989-1993 Silver Spirit II: 1152
* 1989-1993 Silver Spur II: 1658
* 1993-1994 Silver Spirit III: 211
* 1993-1994 Silver Spur III: 430
* 1994-1995 Flying Spur: 134
* 1995 Silver Spirit: 122
* 1994-1998 Silver Dawn: 237
* 1995-1998 Silver Spur: 507
* 1995-1998 Park Ward: 44