Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, 1998
Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph•
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Chassis No.: SCALA61E4XCH02042
£21,850 GBP | Sold
- Originally owned by Lord Sugar
- Registration no. S821 ORV
- First registered 'AMS 1'
- Used in early episodes of 'The Apprentice'
- One company owner and three private owners from new
- 79,854 miles from new
- Full Rolls-Royce dealer and independent specialist service history
Whenever a new Rolls-Royce appears, it is the manner in which tradition is weighed against innovation that most intrigues the public, and the Silver Seraph's introduction in 1998 was no exception. There was certainly no lack of new components in the new car; exterior door handles and the occasional switch excepted, nothing was carried over from its Silver Spur predecessor. The most significant break with tradition was, of course, the adoption of BMW engines, the Seraph's power unit being the 5.3-litre, 60-degree V12 of the range-topping 750i, its engine management system appropriately re-configured for the heavier Rolls-Royce.
The ZF five-speed automatic gearbox is likewise sourced from the 750i, and once again its electronics, which control shift points, was reprogrammed to suit the different application.
Changes to the body seemed less radical but were no less interesting. While the styling represented a conscious attempt to recall the looks of the Silver Cloud, its method of construction broke new ground for Rolls-Royce in several ways. Part of parent company Vickers' £200 million project investment was spent on new body plant, the Seraph being the first model built on a moving assembly line. The body itself - now fully galvanised - used significantly fewer panels than that of the Silver Spirit and took less time to make, while contriving to be 65% stiffer than its predecessor's. Build quality was by all accounts even better than before.
Apart from the BMW engine and ZF gearbox, the Seraph also featured suspension conceived by Lotus, Bosch electronics, and design and engineering input from various other motor industry specialists.
The Rolls-Royce Seraph offered here was ordered by Lord Sugar and, carrying his personal registration, 'AMS 1', was used in the first episodes of the popular BBC TV series, 'The Apprentice'. The car was registered to Lord Sugar's Amstrad Industries up to 2002 when it was transferred to his personal ownership. In 2005 the car effectively changed hands for the first time, passing to one Stuart Fyfe, the registration changing to 'S111 FYF'. Mr Fyfe kept the car until 2011 when it was acquired by the current owner, who registered it as 'SSG 3'. Currently displaying a total of 79,854 miles on the odometer, this most imposing motor car is described by the private vendor as in 'A1' condition.
Accompanying documentation includes a V5C document; current MoT; all expired MoTs and many bills; and full service history with Rolls-Royce dealers and recognised specialists. The car's original 'AMS 1' numberplates are included in the sale.
Cost
106,290 AED
