Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, 1983
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Mark I
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Mark I•
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Chassis No.: SCAZS0006DCH06616
Engine No.: 06616
Registration: POM 900S
Originally purchased by the CEO of B&Q | Originally Purchased By The Ceo
The Silver Spirit was unveiled in October 1980 as a replacement for the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. Direct comparison, however, showed only small differences. The new models had slightly grown in length and width; height had been cut a little, although the styling was more modern than that of its predecessor. The interior was dominated by the expected combination of fine wood and sumptuous leather. The Silver Spirit was similar mechanically to the Silver Shadow, benefiting from the superb Rolls-Royce 6,750cc, V8 and sharing many mechanical characteristics of the model it replaced.
The instruments were supplemented by digital units which gave such information as the time, elapsed driving time and external temperature and were the first Rolls-Royce to be fitted with a retractable Spirit of Ecstasy.
First registered on 5th May 1983 to the Chief Executive of B&Q retail Ltd a Mr A J Foster and placed on the cherished registration of 393 AJF and supplied by H.A.Fox & Co Rolls-Royce. Presented in Acrylic Georgian Silver with light blue leather, costing £49,750 as found in the original order from. The history file provides us with all documentation from new, including a parking ticket from the Metropolitan Police for waiting in a restricted space!
Mr Foster was chauffeured in the car and the original cap can still be found in the boot but the most distinctive part of this car came from new when he had H.A.Fox supply and fit a colour television, video cabinet and bespoke rear armrest for telephone and remote control coupled to veneered writing tables with leather trimmed cocktail cabinets, with Crystal decanters and glasses which are still with the car today. All finished with a rear blind and duplex aerial so that he could watch the television or VHS in peace…. The cost for this was a staggering £7,302 which was a considerable amount of money in 1983.
Since Mr Foster’s purchase, the service history can be found in a huge paperwork file. Servicing has been undertaken by Anrett Rolls-Royce of Bournemouth before specialists Douglas and Daniels who cared for the car continuously until the late 90’s, during which time the ownership was changed to Mr Foster’s wife but continually maintained until early 2000’s when Royce Engineering took over. Our vendor purchased the car from Mrs Foster in 2015.
Being a successful businessman, he wanted the car very much for high days and holidays and has cherished the car, being maintained by Rolls-Royce specialist Origin Motor works/Brooklands Garage who are local to his home and has on every MoT seen to any work required including, lately having to fit a new air conditioning unit so that he can comfortably use the car in the height of Summer. The car has a plethora of old MoT test certificates to warrant the mileage and indeed has a valid MoT until February 2024, which it passed without fault.
For the sale, our vendor has had the car’s paintwork corrected and detailed alongside an interior detail so that this car which he has nicknamed ‘Pompous’, is showing in its best light. Mr Foster’s son has since contacted Historics and informed us that he had a Harvey Bailey handling kit fitted coupled to radial tyres which made the ride less ‘wollowy’ and better for faster cornering.
It is supplied with original sales literature and advertising from H.A.FOX and the ‘No Compromise’ personalised presentation video in a leather box, one of 5,000 made. This is a low mileage, low owner, one off example of the overlooked Silver Spirit but to sit in the back and experience the ride truly strengthened what it is to own and drive or be driven in a Rolls-Royce.
Consigned By Mathew Priddy
