What Year? – 1982 Rolls Royce Silver Spur – SOLD!

July 30th Update: While updating our recent listings, we confirmed the private seller of this early eighties Rolls Royce Silver Spur deleted their Craigslist post, so we’re calling this luxury car, “Sold!”  Given the excellent and complete documented maintenance history the private seller provided the buyer, we hope they can enjoy the balance of this summer in their new purchase having to buy nothing more than a fresh jar of Grey Poupon.

June 22nd Update:  we’re not sure what’s going on as when we first featured this Rolls Royce Silver Spur in April, the private seller first had it listed for $22,500 as a 1983 model. Fast forward two months and now he has listed it as a 1982 model with an asking price of $13,500. Consequently, you’ll need to confirm over the phone what year this Rolls is as well as whether anything now needs repair that reflects the large price drop. Good luck with the purchase!

May 22nd Update:  When we first featured this clean and well-maintained Rolls Royce one month ago, we thought despite the owner’s ability to provide all service records since new the asking price was a bit optimistic. Fast forward one month and one pandemic later and the seller realized the same and his since lowered his asking price three thousand dollars. 

An average of just over 1,800 miles added annually.  All service records since new.  Everything works.  If you are going to tip your toes into the sand that is Rolls Royce ownership, those are the three key elements to help ensure it will be a positive experience.  That’s what we hope is the case with this 66k original mile, Beige over Caramel Connelly Leather, 1983 Rolls Royce Silver Spur originally listed in April 2020 on Craigslist in Middlesex, New Jersey where the current caretaker lowered their price to $13,500, or nine thousand less than his original $22,500 request.  A review of the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool reveals this private seller has his ‘Spur optimistically priced $400 above the current #1 “Concours” estimate of $19,100 while the NADA Guides Classic Car Online Valuation Tool indicates the asking price falls at the lower end of the current “Low”, “Average”, and “High” retail value range of $13,550, $25,000, and $37,900, respectively. 

Produced with only minor changes throughout its eighteen year production run, Hagerty Insurance provides a great summary about these automobiles as well as some good advice when considering one:

“The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and its long-wheelbase sibling, the Silver Spur, replaced the Silver Shadow and Silver Wraith respectively in 1980. Continuing the unibody construction initiated by the Shadow in 1967, they were redesigned to be much more rounded and less upright, the work of Austrian stylist Fritz Feller. These are the first Rolls-Royces to have the disappearing Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, which sinks into the radiator shell.

The 220-hp, 6.75-liter aluminum V-8 initially used twin SU carburetors, but cars exported to the U.S. and Japan always had Bosch fuel injection, which was eventually standardized for all markets in 1986. The Silver Spirit and Silver Spur were built in four iterations, or Marks, but there were thousands of running changes through the years. A total of 8,129 Mk I Rolls-Royce Silver Spirits were built between1980-89; 1,152 Mk IIs were produced from 1989-93; 1,658 Mk IIIs were manufactured in 1993-94; and 122 Mk IV models left the line from 1995-98. The Flying Spur of 1994-95 added a Garrett turbocharger in 1997, almost doubling the power output to 412 horsepower. The Silver Spirit was replaced by the Silver Seraph in 1998.

The finish on the Silver Spirit was as superior as one might expect, with burl walnut wood trim ,Connolly leather hide interior, and Wilton carpets. Steering was power rack-and-pinion, and Rolls-Royce used Citroen’s hydraulic self-leveling suspension at the rear, power disc brakes all-around, and a three-speed automatic transmission, which was later replaced by a four-speed automatic in 1991. Almost everything was standard, including air conditioning, power windows, seats, and door locks.

Rolls-Royces are famous for their sophistication and durability, but curiously, that can lead to deferred maintenance once they hit resale channels. Be mindful that authorized service work and repairs can be frightfully expensive – the brakes and suspension in particular – and cannot be performed properly by anybody who is not a certified Rolls-Royce mechanic.

Maxims to remember are: “The wrong Rolls-Royce can be a bad deal free” and “If you can’t afford a good one, you really can’t afford a bad one.” Provenance is everything in Rolls-Royces, and records will tell you every step of a car’s ownership trail and maintenance history from the day it left the factory. Buying from the original owner or a reputable dealer is usually worth a premium, as are complete records. A pre-purchase inspection is often wise, and source a certified mechanic prior to purchase to keep the car in good running order. That said, a well-kept car can be trouble-free and rewarding to own.”

Here’s a video from the King Rose archives we came across that illustrates the assembly process of these cars back in the day:

While perhaps not the first color combination most enthusiasts might pick today, stepping back into the early eighties we could see this being much more desirable then.  A low mileage car from Florida typically means this was the winter car for a well-to-do retiree for many years.  What intrigues us the most is the seller’s claim to having “all service records.” As long as his definition of that means all records dating back to when this car was new and there is no deferred maintenance required currently, this is a Rolls that is worth serious consideration.  However, as with any exotic or luxury car, we highly recommend having a Pre-purchase inspection (“PPI”) completed to ensure there are no surprises lurking with this Silver Spur.  If everything checks out, you’ll have a grand car that will continue to provide years of enjoyment as long as you keep up with the maintenance.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s current description:

“Hi I’m Selling My 1983 Rolls Royce Silver Spur That Runs And Drives Amazing Always Garage Kept This Car Came From Florida Only Been In NJ Couple Years … Only Has 66K Miles Body And Interior Is In Fantastic Shape! Everything Works Perfect I Also Have All Service Records! I’m Asking $19,500 Or Best Offer … Trades Are Welcome Also Call Me Or Text Me Anytime 732-619-1041 Anthony.”

Also Here is the seller’s original description for his first listing:

“Hi I’m Selling My 1983 Rolls Royce Silver spur That Runs And Drives Amazing Always Garage Kept This Car Came From Florida Only Been In NJ Couple Years … Only Has 66K Miles Body And Interior Is In Fantastic Shape! Everything Works Perfect I Also Have All Service Records! I’m Asking $22,500 Or Best Offer … Trades Are Welcome Also“

Do you have a Rolls Royce Silver Spirit or Silver Spur story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!