Based on the Silver Shadow II, the Silver Spur was announced in late 1980. The engine remained Rolls-Royce's venerable 6750cc V8, though the rear suspension and styling were altered. Along with rectangular headlights-a first for Rolls-Royce-and a slightly wider grille, the greenhouse was enlarged, the rear bench was replaced by two individual seats, folding picnic tables were standard equipment and the body lines became more angular.
Noting the success of the Bentley Turbo R, Rolls-Royce announced they would be offering their first ever turbocharged model at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show. Called the Flying Spur, the car was based on the Silver Spur. With the presence of the exhaust-driven Garrett AiResearch turbocharger, the car's horsepower rating rose from 230 to a reported 360, and was the most powerful model in Rolls-Royce's history.
In typical Rolls-Royce fashion, the car came with legendary creature comforts, including leather, lamb's wool and burled wood veneer, as well as electronically controlled independent suspension with adaptive ride control and anti-lock brakes. Rolls-Royce announced that production would be limited and, indeed, only 133 were built. And as to be expected from such a limited-production run, many models were customized to the owner's wishes.
As appropriate of such a noble performer and exclusive vehicle, the Flying Spur commanded a considerable premium of $70,000 over the Silver Spur, giving it a list price of $244,245. The public responded favorably, and Rolls-Royce had no trouble finding enough eager buyers.
SCM Analysis
Detailing
| Vehicle: | 1995 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur |
| Years Produced: | 1994-95 |
| Number Produced: | 133 |
| Original List Price: | $244,245 |
| Tune Up Cost: | $1,850 |
| Distributor Caps: | $249 |
| Chassis Number Location: | Windshield at driver’s side; door and front of door post |
| Engine Number Location: | Rear face of crankcase |
| Club Info: | Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club, 191 Hempt Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; 800/TRY-RROC |
| Website: | http://web.rroc.org |
| Alternatives: | Bentley Turbo R or RL, stateroom on the QE II, small country |
This car sold for $37,100, including buyer’s premium, at eBay/Kruse’s inaugural Mandalay Bay auction in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 1, 2002.
One of the questions that I often hear is “How can I get a good buy on a car at auction?” The answer is simple. Do your homework, check out any car you want to bid on, and ask questions. Here is a case where almost no one was paying attention, did their homework or bothered to ask questions.
From almost any angle, the 1995 Flying Spur looks just like any other 1995 Silver Spur. Typically, at auction, dealers take a walk around, look at the model year and the miles, and rely on instinct to tell them what the car is worth. Perhaps they will pull a dog-eared copy of a price guide out of their pocket and look up the value of a high-miles Spur. Private buyers might rely on that same price guide, although they might just concentrate on the retail column, take that same walk around the car, and decide if it is for them.
The dealers did not pay attention. The public responded with a yawn, as what appeared to be “just another Silver Spur for sale in Vegas” crossed the block.
At least one person in the house had done their homework, though, and at least one person was paying attention. This car was landed for what a Silver Spur in similar condition could be expected to bring. The Rolls-Royce Flying Spur, though, was a limited-production, turbocharged version of the Silver Spur. This particular car carried a rather conspicuous factory dash plaque stating it is number 9 of 50. The assumption is that 50 were built for the US market for the year 1995, as production figures show that 133 cars were built in total production.
The differences between Silver Spurs and Flying Spurs? Well, in addition to the usual fitments that seem to drip off of special-edition cars in general, and Rolls-Royces in particular, for your $244,245 you received extra wood to the interior, including full picnic tables to the rear, European-style headlights as opposed to the standard quad headlights, the aforementioned Garrett AiResearch Turbo, and a maximum speed of 130 miles per hour. Contemporary road tests gave the car a standing ¼-mile time of 15.5 seconds and a 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds, a full 3.5 seconds off the time of a Silver Spirit II. Not too shabby for a car that tips the scales at a full 3 tons.
The new owner, Gerry Durnell, an SCM subscriber (who is also the new owner of Automobile Quarterly magazine) reports that “it is a continual source of tactile pleasure” and he was pleased to find out that the service records were essentially up to date at the time of his purchase. Since bringing the car home, he has had the injectors changed, and replaced the gaskets on both the oil pan and the valve covers, as one was leaking as a result of sitting without use for a period of time. “No disappointments,” he reports on the vehicle his wife Kay has named Victoria.
The new owner bought this car in a no-reserve sale and at what can only be described as a bargain. Pricing on nice Flying Spurs currently hovers between $80,000 and $100,000, depending on options, miles and colors. Currently, one is offered for sale at a dealership with 21,000 miles for an asking price of $89,900, a $52,800 difference for the same year and model as Mr. Durnell’s car. True, with 123,040 miles, the subject car has been used quite a bit more, and I’m certain the 21,000-mile example is a nicer car cosmetically. But from ten feet away, who will know, and when the hoi polloi watch you drive away in your Flying Spur, they won’t be able to see you secretly polishing your “Look Rich For Cheap Club” membership card.-Dave Kinney