1986 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER SPIRIT II
ENGINE 6750CC/V8/OHV POWER 240bhp@4000rpm TORQUE 332lb ft@2000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 120mph MPH 11sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 12-18mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed auto MOT 12 months on sale ODOMETER 71,720 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The starter motor is louder than the engine itself, with the injected V8 needing no fast idle when cold. The transmission selects Drive or Reverse with no lurch or noise whatsoever and the power steering is nger-tip light and devoid of noise or a change in feel from lock to-lock. The engine pulls strongly once underway and the gear changes are near-undetectable. Ride comfort is as it should be and the damping feels controlled. It's arrow-straight over undulating roads and rm progressive braking results in no deviation from the straight ahead.
BODYWORK CHECK
The body is very ne with all the shut lines and panel gaps correct and true. There are a few scratches and scus in the paint here and there and it had a cover drawn across the roof at some point but it looks like cutting compound would remedy it. There are one or two little rust spots and the paint generally needs tidying but the wheels are unmarked, the bright work and chrome is all good and the massive grille is in great shape. Headlamps and secondary lenses are clear, although one washer jet has gone AWOL. More importantly, it seems solid beneath.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
The overall condition is original and expected for the age. The wood veneer is delaminating on the facia panel edges and door cappings but door cards are unmarked. The cream leather seats show no cracking but have suered the expected darkening in the grain where jeans have outnumbered tweed – nothing that a specialist can't put right – likewise the armrest. Of more concern with this car would be something wrong with the myriad electrics, but everything we tried – power seats, fan, aircon, windows, mirrors and cruise control – worked ne. The fascia top and knee pads are in excellent condition with no obvious wear to switches or steering wheel.
UNDER THE BONNET
There’s no corrosion visible on the inner wings, bulkhead, or slam-panel, while the substantial engine bay is crammed full and looks like a plumber's nightmare. All of the coolant hoses seem to be in good order; the insulation has perished on the aircon rigid pipe from the compressor to the matrix, but the coolant radiator, fan, belts and all other
ttings appear to be in good order. All of the warning lights extinguished upon start-up and all readings were healthy.
THE CCW VIEW
That a concours example would cost almost three times the price of this one is the datum from which to assess this Silver Spirit. It's a solid basis for one of two purposes – it could be the start of a show-winner with the right amount of time, money and specialist input or it could be a thoroughly usable modern classic to maintain at its current level and potentially increase in value to pay its way. Ian Shaw