An unexpectedly cheap Rolls-Royce
Our expert on what made this Silver Spirit a snip
It isn’t perceived to be the ‘cheap’ Rolls-Royce – which ironically, holds values back. The market likes Silver Shadows, but it’s not just the model’s cognescenti who like them. Anyone with a bit of cash and fancying something to get the neighbours’ curtains twitching knows a Shadow is cheap. But not only that, it’s a shape most people are familiar with. Yet while there’s a good Shadow fanbase, the Spirit’s looks mean fewer people want one, unless it’s one of the later models. Just as when it was new, the Spirit’s appearance divides opinion, which in turn means it’s possible to find a good one at a sensible price.
Being no-reserve helped make it a smart buy.
It’s worth noting the rise of the noreserve offerings, and how many cars offered this way command strong money – enough to put off those who still believe anything offered at noreserve will be a bargain.
It offered a lot for the money.
This was an early model with good history, the paperwork detailing plenty of expenditure. Brightwells notes traced history to the first owner, who selected Ice Green with Sand Everflex and complementing beige interior. Main dealer Mann Egerton serviced it from delivery to the end of the 1980s. The history file also included 20 previous MoT test certificates and invoices for work carried out during the vendor’s tenure, which included the all-important brake system overhaul, replacement of the lower steering column and new rear hydraulic accumulators. On top of that bills also detailed some attention to the wheelarches and a new Everflex roof. It was MoT-tested until next July.
It was the ‘wrong’ car – but definitely the right money.
Many will avoid a Spirit simply because it isn’t a Shadow. Yet the Spirit drives as well and in the right colour combination is always bang on the money. This example had good history and was MoT-tested for almost a year. At a tad over five grand it was undoubtedly well bought.