1986 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit

Delivered new to its first owner through Stratton of Wilmslow in June 1986, the car today retains its Cotswold Beige paint finish and Parchment piped Dark Brown interior trim.

We have spoken to the long-term owner’s granddaughter, who told us that her grandmother owned this fine Rolls-Royce since 2003.

Her husband preferred a Bentley, we are told.

The grandmother was a serial collector of all things curious, interesting, rare or valuable, and that passion very much extended to cars.

One of her other cars was the delightful 1931 Singer Junior we are also auctioning.

We have it on good authority (her family) that the lady was never less than fastidious and punctual in the servicing, maintenance and repair of the cars in her collection, and the condition of this low mileage example is a fitting testament to that.

We know that the car saw only sparing use during her tenure, as evidenced by the fact that, today, only 10,000 miles have been added to the car’s 2003 mileage.

We also know that the car hasn’t been used for quite some time.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, while it starts, idles and runs, it currently does so with the somewhat muted enthusiasm of a car that probably has a tank full of old petrol and is in need of some very basic recommissioning to get it back to rude good health.

Some new fluids and filters, plus a good long run out, and this pedigree Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit will no doubt be more than ready for new adventures on the open road.

The bodywork is really very straight and proper all-round, with no dents, creases, ripples or folds of real consequence anywhere to speak of.

The shut-lines and panel gaps are everything you would hope and expect to find on a car that was hand-built in Crewe by Rolls-Royce’s finest artisans.

Wherever you rest your gaze you will find that the chrome-work is free of any tarnishing, foxing or pitting.

The wheels are following the same script in terms of condition and shine.

The wheels are shod in matching (and correct) Avon rubber that is almost certainly rather too long in the tooth now.

Excellent though the car’s overall condition undoubtedly is, it hasn’t entirely escaped the attentions of time or use.

We noticed a patch of bubbling at the base of the o/s/r wing below the wrap-around bumper; a little nascent rust starting to show itself in all four inner wheel arches; an entirely standard number and distribution of paint chips around the front valance and the leading faces of the front wings and bonnet; a few chips on the edges of the doors; a little paint scuffed away on the corner of the o/s/r wing; a scratch adjacent to the nearside headlamp cluster; and a few paint chips beneath the rear number plate.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in very good order.

The interior is precisely the sumptuous expression of opulence and luxury you would want to find inside a Rolls-Royce of this class and vintage.

And it’s all in really very decent condition.

The front seats have a little light creasing around the bolsters, but no more than the mileage would suggest, and their counterparts in the rear look as if they’ve rarely been called upon to do much work of any sort.

Front and back, the seats are comfortable, supportive, cossetting and functional.

The door cards are also in fine fettle, as is the headlining.

The dark brown carpets are equally good and the car’s lambswool over-rugs are so thick you’ll think your shoes have been stolen.

Fluctuations in temperature, humidity and damp tend to make themselves known in the wood veneers in older Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

That those in this car have yet to crack, fade or shed their lacquer is a testament to the consistency of the conditions in which the car has been garaged, and the care it’s had lavished upon it.

Wherever you look – dashboard, door cappings, vanity mirror surrounds – the rich wood veneers are in excellent order.

The steering wheel, gear selector and other controls are all in first-class condition and, as far as we’re aware, all gauges, buttons, knobs, levers, switches and dials do what they’re supposed to do in a timely and uncomplaining manner.

The enormous, brown-carpeted boot is in excellent order, too, and contains a full-sized spare wheel in the usual place.

The engine bay is reassuringly clean, dry and tidy, and all the visible ancillaries on Crewe’s tried and trusted 6.75-litre V8 are present, correct and seemingly in first-class condition.

Even the under-bonnet sound-deadening insulation is intact and taut – on lesser examples it usually resembles a ripped duvet or a shredded windsock.

The car’s undersides appear to be possessed of plenty of structural integrity.

The only signs of minor corrosion we’ve noticed are around the inner wheel-arches, as mentioned earlier, and the base of the o/s/r wing.

This car comes with a well-stamped service book containing the imprimaturs of main dealers and specialists such as Stratton, SMAC Group, Sargeants of Goudhurst, and P & A Wood.

At the time of writing, we are waiting to see if the family can unearth more recent invoices, bills and receipts and we will, of course, add them to the documents section as and when that happens.

As stated earlier, however, we know that the car’s lady owner was never less than diligent in the care and maintenance of her cars, and we also know that the car covered no more than 10,000 miles in the last 13 years.

The car comes with its original book pack, a V5C and a recent HPI report.

Its last MoT expired in May 2024. You’ll be pleased to know that it came with no advisories whatsoever.

A fine example of one of the last of the truly hand-built, ‘money no object’ Rolls-Royces, this Silver Spirit benefits from high-quality long-term ownership, a very modest mileage and excellent all-round condition.

Yes, it needs a mechanical freshen-up to clear any automotive cobwebs after a long rest.

And, yes, some remedial attention to the nascent rust in the wheel arches should be given sooner rather than later.

But this is a great deal of prestigious, pedigree, British motoring excellence for what is likely to be a very favourable price.

What’s not to like?

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £7,000 - £10,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.