Since 1904, for over a Century, the name "Rolls-Royce" has been synonymous with the highest quality and luxury imaginable. "Like a Rolls-Royce" is an oft-used term when trying to describe the "best of the best." Ownership of a Rolls-Royce motorcar is the perfect expression of the fact that we have arrived at the zenith of our road to fame and fortune.
A Car for a Lifetime:
1991 Rolls Royce
Silver Spirit 2
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The Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, successor to the Silver Shadow, debuted in 1980. Designed by Austrian Fritz Feller, the Spirit features timeless coachwork of restrained elegance, yet immediately recognizable as a Rolls-Royce. A list price of over $160,000.00 ensured status and exclusivity, bar none.
Fast forward a few decades, and the Spirit has turned into a bona fide bargain, with fine examples having retained barely 10% - 15% of their original MSRP. However, many "cheap" Rolls Royces suffer from deferred maintenance, which can result in a car with many needs.
Not this one!
Just 1,658 Silver Spirit IIs were manufactured between 1991 and 1993. These Series Two cars came with a self-levelling suspension that was further refined, ABS, and also featured the latest BOSCH Motronic engine management system.
The 1991 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit II presented here, VIN *SCAZS02D0MCX34568*, is one of those rare birds. Sold new on September 9, 1992 at Rolls Royce of Beverly Hills, Calif. to a wealthy movie producer, the three-owner car spent its entire life in Southern California and comes with a clean CARFAX history report.
Featuring a mere 041,406 actual miles on its odometer, the car has been driven just shy of 1,500 miles annually, on average. This Rolls never had to suffer the indignity of being a daily driver!
Looking resplendent in its authentic Cotswold Beige Metallic over Nutmeg Metallic two-tone livery accented by dual coach lines, the car doesn't look like it's ever been apart, a notion confirmed by the accident-free CARFAX report.
Note: mileage is consistent throughout the years, was 40,860 in 2013.
Flanks are straight as an arrow, with paint finish as smooth as a Steinway piano.
Body panels fit tremendously well, which comes as no surprise. Brightwork and weatherstripping belie their age.
Under the hood lives the traditional, overbuilt Rolls Royce 6.75-liter V8 of "sufficient" horsepower, backed by the smooth-as-glass, GM-sourced TH400 Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Engine bay remains toothbrush clean. Most importantly, there are no fluid leaks to bemoan. Especially the fully hydraulic suspension, bane of many a Spirit's existence, does not cause any headaches. Even after being parked for an extended period of time, the car remains at its pre-set ride height.
The heavy doors look and sound like those of a bank vault. There's absolutely no corrosion, no play in the hinges to be found. Solid.
"My home is my castle" - this old English proverb comes to mind surveying the Spirit's impressive cockpit. Who wouldn't feel right at home here, surrounded by the finest materials old-world craftsmen had to offer?
A symphony of wood and leather!
The 1991 Rolls Royce came with an airbag-equipped, smaller diameter steering wheel.
Picture on the left conveys very important information - when you first turn on the ignition, all control lights work as they should - and they also all extinguish as they should when you are driving this fine car!
Picture on the right shows the original stereo and the Mercedes-Benz derived controls for the climate control system. Yes, the A/C blows ice cold!
Seat heater, seat memory functions and power mirrors are operated from controls found on the center console.
Our Spirit II has been a life-long non smoker's car.
Hidden in the center right arm rest, the fancy (for 1991) O.E.M. Motorola cell phone still lights up but the contract expired about 25 years ago. Time to call T-Mobile!
Still-supple, tan leather, eight-way, heated power seats, leather-covered dash, and leather door panels are wonderfully preserved, displaying just the right patina.
CONNOLLY leather and Rolls Royce are almost synonymous. The CONNOLLY experience commences with the intoxicating, irresistible leather aroma, continues with the tactile pleasures only the finest bovine hides can afford, and ends with the visual confirmation that virtually all interior surfaces are covered with the coveted material.
Practically unused, the comfortable rear passenger compartment presents itself in immaculate condition.
Seats feature understatedly elegant nutmeg piping.
Traditional amenites include small foot rests, mirrors inlaid in burlwood and individual reading lamps.
Impressive rear view - unmistakably Rolls Royce!
Cavernous trunk is cozy enough for the most discriminating feline.
Immaculate undercarriage. No leaks! Car comes with complete spare wheel.
Pristine, rust free floors!
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 was another near-perfect day in paradise and we were happy to take the Roller out for a cruise and photo session.
One of the nicest driving Rolls Royces we've had the pleasure to own, the Spirit II is our first choice when it comes to wanting a fun weekend driver. Surprisingly, this big car returns 20mpg on the freeway, running most of the time at 80mph using just the cruise control.
The car starts, idles, runs, drives, handles and stops with aplomb. There are no issues to report. All gauges, lights and switches work as intended.
Heading home, we are very impressed with the capabilities of this British heirloom. The car looks, runs and drives fantastic. With many carefree miles and smiles ahead, owning this Rolls Royce can and will be a pain free experience. At the price of a 5-year old Toyota Camry, there has never been a better ultra-luxury car deal, anywhere.
A super-low mileage, life-long California Rolls, with a squeaky clean CARFAX, ready to be enjoyed, offered here at just 8% of its original sticker price. "It's the biggest no-brainer in the history of mankind!"
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Addendum:
We sold this Rolls Royce in October of 2020 to a customer in Mexico.
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