The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit one of the last real British Made Rolls-Royce cars from Rolls-Royce at Crewe. Designed a long time ago and derived from the Silver Shadow 2 which was manufactured up till 1980.The first prototypes of the Silver Spirit where running around the factory under the name of Z-2 as early as 1975.This was known as the SZ project and it started way back in 1969 and went through various prototypes from the Z-1 upto the Z-10 which is when the Silver Spirit went into production in 1980 so there was a lot of checking and rechecking before Rolls-Royce was satisfied that the Silver Spirit was correct and up to their standard before going into production on the model. The Silver Spirit was introduced with a V8 engine of 6,750cc coupled to a GM400 automatic gearbox, which gave it a top speed of around 120 MPH and a 0-60:10secs with a consumption of around 14/15 MPG.Well I know its consumption is bad but then you know what they say "if you have to ask what a Rolls Does to the gallon you cant afford one" and I spose that`s true. Anyway when introduced they where around £50,000 and over the years there where various models the Silver Spirit 1 to 3 and a Silver Spur and Flying Spur and Silver Dawn and then of course all the various Bentley models that where really a Silver Spirit with a different grill and badges and with all their variations with Turbo`s etc increased the price to around anything from £150,000 to £250,000 .The prices could be anything due to the sort of very expensive extras that where fitted and of course there was the LWB Limo's right upto 1997 when they ceased production of this last British designed and manufactured Rolls-Royce. The Best Car in the World..

The Sillver Spirit is my own car in Deep Ocean Blue over Royal Blue as it come painted from the factory which I bought about 6 years ago after owning various Silver Shadows over the years. I have completely refurbished this car even to the expense of ordering new hide skins from Connolly hides [with a letter from their director] to re-trim the interior. I have all the history books warranty PDI certificate etc.and wallet from when it was originally purchased from Rolls-Royce by the Directors of Mann-Egerton then to a Director of Northern & Shell PLC and along the line to me.

I have nicknamed her `Emmy` after the lady that modeled for the `spirit of ecstasy` mascot on the bonnet and the name looks a bit like my personal reg. number that I have owned since the early 1970`s.. With the money that I have spent on this model I most probably could have bought a much later model but I got a lot of enjoyment out of doing it and it's nice to see a car of its age looking as nice as it is because its only a 1985 model built in late 84.

I have been a member of various sections of the R-R.E.C. for some years now and have enjoyed participating in some of the picnic rallies at some of our historic houses and buildings around the countryside. I like those types of rallies/meeting best as you do get around and see some great marques of the Rolls-Royce and hear some interesting stories from their owners. I have not attended recently as much as I would like as I have had other commitments but hope to catch up on a few soon when the sun shines.

I bought another Silver Shadow to refurb, my wife said I was mad but I just love these old cars cant leave them alone but you have to agree they are something a bit different to work on..

My next project well when I get a few more pennies together and this model gets a slight bit older watch this space!!

Terry Moxley
Canterbury